Physical Exercise study published in September 2021 issue of Experimental Neurology.
The results of a TIN-sponsored study to determine the effects of exercise on the progression of CMT1X, using a mouse model of CMT1X, have now been published as the cover article in the September issue of Experimental Neurology.
The article, entitled Physical exercise mitigates neuropathic changes in an animal model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1X, describes the results of a study performed by the Martini Laboratory at the University of Würzburg (Germany). They examined different regimes of repeated running exercise for the ability to improve measures used as clinical outcomes in CMT patients, most notably effects on mobility, balance and pathology (progressive nerve damage).
Overall, the authors found that limited exercise was particularly beneficial for the avoidance of CMT1X-like disease worsening in the mice. The results suggest that physical exercise for CMT patients might not only support health and well-being in general, but will directly affect the preservation of the peripheral nerves that are damaged as CMT1X progresses and allow balance in movement to be maintained.
These results may have important implications for CMT patients in helping them to manage their disease, as neither the type, duration nor intensity of exercise have been systematically optimized for people with CMT. In summary, performing regular and constant exercise in moderation may be well accepted by CMT patients, and lead to a slowing of disease progression while also reducing their risk of overwork.
A link to the article, and brief scientific summary provided by the Journal, is attached here.