#Endurance Exercise

In an intriguing new development for athletes and neuroscientists alike, a study led by researchers from the University of the Basque Country and published in Nature Metabolism has revealed that marathon running can temporarily deplete myelin content in the human brain. This transient change, however, appears fully reversible within two months, offering reassurance to endurance athletes concerned about potential long-term neural impacts.

With Bangkok experiencing a growing marathon culture, this insight is timely for Thai enthusiasts who routinely test their endurance over the challenging 42-kilometer stretch. The study sheds light on the brain’s adaptability—or “metabolic myelin plasticity”—by suggesting that under intense physical exertion, the brain might utilize myelin lipids as a secondary energy source. This finding is of particular interest given that glycogen depletion during prolonged exercise may necessitate alternative metabolic adaptations.

A groundbreaking pilot study has unveiled a fascinating aspect of human endurance, where during prolonged strenuous exercise like marathons, the brain might begin to ’eat’ itself by consuming its fatty sheath—myelin—for fuel. This unexpected finding adds a novel layer to our understanding of neuroplasticity, showcasing a radical adaptation strategy when glucose levels in the brain plummet.

The study, conducted by neuroscientists in Spain, involved 10 marathon runners who underwent MRI scans before and after their races. It was observed that 24 to 48 hours following the grueling 42-kilometer run, there was a significant reduction in myelin levels within regions of the brain crucial for motor skills, coordination, sensory, and emotional processing. Fortunately, these changes were not permanent. Just two weeks after the race, the myelin levels began to recuperate, and a full recovery was noted in most participants within two months.

In a fascinating new piIot study, neuroscientists suggest that the human brain may begin to “eat itself” during strenuous endurance exercises such as marathon running. This revelation comes from a team of researchers in Spain who observed intriguing changes in the brain’s white matter among marathon runners. Their findings present a novel form of neuroplasticity that could be crucial for maintaining cerebral functionality under extreme physical stress.

The researchers, led by Pedro Ramos-Cabrer and Alberto Cabrera-Zubizarreta, conducted MRI scans on the brains of ten marathon runners—eight men and two women—both before and after a 42-kilometer race. The scans depicted a marked decrease in myelin, a fatty layer that insulates nerve fibers and is integral for efficient communication between neurons. This reduction appeared uniquely pronounced in regions associated with motor function, coordination, sensory processing, and emotional integration. Remarkably, myelin levels began to rebound 24 to 48 hours post-race and were largely restored within two months for the six participants who continued with periodic scans.