Muscle–Brain crosstalk in cognitive impairment

Abstract

Sarcopenia is an age-related, involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in elderly adults. To date, no effective cures for sarcopenia and AD are available. Physical and cognitive impairments are two major causes of disability in the elderly population, which severely decrease their quality of life and increase their economic burden. Clinically, sarcopenia is strongly associated with AD. However, the underlying factors for this association remain unknown. Mechanistic studies on muscle–brain crosstalk during cognitive impairment might shed light on new insights and novel therapeutic approaches for combating cognitive decline and AD. In this review, we summarize the latest studies emphasizing the association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment. The underlying mechanisms involved in muscle–brain crosstalk and the potential implications of such crosstalk are discussed. Finally, future directions for drug development to improve age-related cognitive impairment and AD-related cognitive dysfunction are also explored.

Could near infrared spectroscopy be the new weapon in our understanding of the cerebral and muscle microvascular oxygen demand during exercise?

“… 11 In aging, the interaction between brain and musculoskeletal activity is the cause of sarcopenia, which affects muscle metabolism and cognitive function. 12 Given that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased cerebral oxygenation, 13 NIRS measures on muscle and brain can complement the existing literature on the mechanisms involved in exercise and improved cognition. 14 …”