Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: thedoc on 05/06/2014 19:30:01

Title: Does exercise provoke the birth of new dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain?
Post by: thedoc on 05/06/2014 19:30:01
Sherburne de Garmo asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Does exercise provoke the birth of new dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain?
What do you think?
Title: Re: Does exercise provoke the birth of new dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain?
Post by: carl89 on 06/07/2020 07:25:59
I am also looking for its answer. For fighting depression and anxiety, doctors often say to do exercise. I think there involved neurotransmitter in the whole phenomena,
Title: Re: Does exercise provoke the birth of new dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain?
Post by: evan_au on 06/07/2020 11:37:10
Exercise can produce endocannabinoids, which in turn produce a sensation of pleasure.
Pleasure is signaled by an increase in dopamine.

Even if the exercise doesn't directly prompt the growth of dopamine-secreting cells in the brain, it can indirectly increase the level of dopamine.

The problem with diseases like Parkinsons is that the dopaminergic cells die, and aren't replaced.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine#Nervous_system
Title: Re: Does exercise provoke the birth of new dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain?
Post by: Bored chemist on 06/07/2020 12:54:39
Does anything promote the growth of any new cells in the brain (in a good way)?
Title: Re: Does exercise provoke the birth of new dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain?
Post by: evan_au on 06/07/2020 23:28:40
Quote from: bored chemist
Does anything promote the growth of any new cells in the brain
Yes, new cells are generated in memory areas of the brain - mainly the hypothalamus.
- For more scent-oriented creatures (like mice), new nerves also grow in the olfactory bulb of the brain.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_neurogenesis