Exercise
Our lab is uncovering how skeletal muscle health influences brain health, particularly through inflammation and the kynurenine pathway, a key regulator of mood and neurochemistry. In our clinical trial with older adults, we showed that exercise enhances expression of muscle-based transcription factors that shift tryptophan metabolism away from neurotoxic and toward neuroprotective pathways. This suggests a muscle-to-brain signaling mechanism by which exercise may reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of depression.
To further investigate this mechanism, we conducted a follow-up preclinical study in mice with muscular dystrophy, a condition characterized by severe muscle wasting. These animals showed disruptions in kynurenine metabolism and increased anxiety-like behavior, reinforcing the idea that impaired muscle health can contribute to mood disorders via inflammatory and metabolic pathways.
Together, these findings highlight the critical role of skeletal muscle in regulating mood and inflammation. Our work supports the importance of exercise and muscle preservation not only for physical health, but also as a powerful strategy to protect against depression and cognitive decline.
