Summary
A review article was published last month, covering evidence suggesting that the body’s innate immune system may be involved in neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, associated with a cascade of progressive damage to brain cells. Further details are provided in the following critical appraisal of news headlines:
Reference
Immune system ‘plays a role in dementia’. London: NHS Choices Behind the Headlines, May 13th 2016.
This relates to:
Reference
Richards, RI. Robertson, SA. [and] O’Keefe, LV. [et al] (2016). The enemy within: innate surveillance-mediated cell death, the common mechanism of neurodegenerative disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience. May 10th 2016, Vol.10, pp.193. (Click here to view the PubMed abstract).
Exercise Boosts the Immune System?
It appears likely that physical activity improves the effectiveness of the body’s immune system, even in the elderly.
Reference
Walsh, F. (2018). How exercise in old age prevents the immune system from declining. London: BBC Health News, March 8th 2018.
This relates to:
Reference
Duggal, NA. Pollock, RD. Lazarus, NR. [et al] (2018). Major features of immunesenescence, including reduced thymic output, are ameliorated by high levels of physical activity in adulthood. Aging Cell. March 8th 2018. [Epub ahead of print].
