Recent research suggests that myelin, a fatty substance insulating nerve cell signals, may also provide energy for the brain during physical exertion like marathon running. Scans indicated decreased myelin levels in areas responsible for motor control and emotional processing after races, but these levels returned to normal within two months. Researchers believe this temporary loss does not harm cognitive function significantly, and it may even enhance the brain's metabolic processes. The findings underscore myelin's potential role in energy metabolism under specific conditions, warranting further exploration.
"These findings open the way to consider that myelin lipids contribute to brain energy metabolism, at least in certain conditions," says Carlos Matute.
"There are no gross changes in brain function," Matute says. In fact, he suspects that the use and replenishment of myelin is beneficial.
The reduction in myelin lasts for only a short time, so is not concerning, and could be very, very beneficial," says Mustapha Bouhrara.
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