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Chaney R, Leger C, Wirtz J, Fontanier E, Méloux A, Quirié A, Martin A, Prigent-Tessier A, Garnier P. Cerebral Benefits Induced by Electrical Muscle Stimulation: Evidence from a Human and Rat Study. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1883. [PMID: 38339161 PMCID: PMC10855504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Physical exercise (EX) is well established for its positive impact on brain health. However, conventional EX may not be feasible for certain individuals. In this regard, this study explores electromyostimulation (EMS) as a potential alternative for enhancing cognitive function. Conducted on both human participants and rats, the study involved two sessions of EMS applied to the quadriceps with a duration of 30 min at one-week intervals. The human subjects experienced assessments of cognition and mood, while the rats underwent histological and biochemical analyses on the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and quadriceps. Our findings indicated that EMS enhanced executive functions and reduced anxiety in humans. In parallel, our results from the animal studies revealed an elevation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), specifically in the hippocampus. Intriguingly, this increase was not associated with heightened neuronal activity or cerebral hemodynamics; instead, our data point towards a humoral interaction from muscle to brain. While no evidence of increased muscle and circulating BDNF or FNDC5/irisin pathways could be found, our data highlight lactate as a bridging signaling molecule of the muscle-brain crosstalk following EMS. In conclusion, our results suggest that EMS could be an effective alternative to conventional EX for enhancing both brain health and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Chaney
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Clémence Leger
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Julien Wirtz
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Estelle Fontanier
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Alexandre Méloux
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Aurore Quirié
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Alain Martin
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences du Sport, F-21000 Dijon, France;
| | - Anne Prigent-Tessier
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Philippe Garnier
- INSERM UMR1093-CAPS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UFR des Sciences de Santé, F-21000 Dijon, France; (R.C.); (C.L.); (J.W.); (E.F.); (A.M.); (A.Q.); (P.G.)
- Département Génie Biologique, IUT, F-21000 Dijon, France
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