A recent study published in Nature Metabolism has revealed a surprising effect of marathon running on the brain. Researchers discovered that marathon runners experience a temporary reduction in myelin, the fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers, in certain brain regions during a race.
The study, conducted by Spanish researchers, used MRI scans to analyze the brains of runners before and after a marathon. The results indicated that myelin content decreased in areas crucial for motor coordination, sensory processing, and emotional integration. This suggests that the brain may be using myelin as an energy source when other nutrients are depleted during prolonged exercise.
While the reduction in myelin is temporary, with levels fully recovering within two months, the findings offer new insights into the brain's energy metabolism. Understanding how myelin is utilized and replenished could potentially lead to new treatments for demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis. Further research is planned to investigate the long-term effects of these myelin changes on neurophysiological and cognitive functions.