Brain Uses Myelin as Emergency Fuel During Marathon Running

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 Brain Uses Myelin as Emergency Fuel During Marathon Running










A groundbreaking study has revealed that our brains have a previously unknown backup energy system: myelin, the protective coating around neurons, can serve as an emergency fuel source during intense physical activity like marathon running.

Researchers from the University of the Basque Country made this surprising discovery by studying the brains of marathon runners before and after their races. After running 26 miles, athletes showed reduced myelin levels in 12 specific brain regions responsible for movement control, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. Even more fascinating was that these changes completely reversed themselves within two months.

Think of myelin like the insulation around electrical wires in your home. It usually helps neurons transmit signals efficiently, but this research shows it has a second job as an emergency energy reserve. When runners deplete their primary energy sources—carbohydrates and then fats—their brains can break down and use myelin for fuel.

This discovery could revolutionize our understanding of neurological conditions, particularly multiple sclerosis, where myelin degradation plays a central role. By studying how marathon runners' brains naturally rebuild their myelin coating, scientists might develop new treatments for these devastating diseases.

The research team, led by Professor Carlos Matute and Dr. Pedro Ramos-Cabrer, used advanced magnetic resonance imaging to track myelin changes in ten marathon runners. They measured myelin levels at multiple points: before the race, 48 hours after, two weeks later, and finally at the two-month mark. This careful monitoring revealed that while myelin levels dropped significantly after the race, they gradually returned to normal, demonstrating the brain's remarkable ability to repair itself.

For athletes worried about these findings, the researchers emphasize that marathon running isn't harmful to the brain. Using and replacing myelin might benefit brain health by exercising its metabolic systems, similar to how weight training breaks down and rebuilds muscle tissue.

This research, published in Nature Metabolism, opens new avenues for understanding brain energy metabolism and could lead to breakthrough treatments for neurological disorders. It also highlights how extreme physical challenges can help us uncover previously unknown aspects of human biology.

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