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Physical Activity and the Myokine Irisin in Non-pharmacological Treatment of Alzheimer Disease
Yuriy A. Gibizov, Л. Ш. Вагапова, Alina O. Aguzarova, Julia V. Nazarova, Yana A. Zotkina, Ekaterina A. Atamanyuk, Mariia M. Rodikova, Rafael N. Timergaleev et al.. Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation, 2025-08-16
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory impairment, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. The available treatment options primarily aim to temporarily alleviate symptoms without addressing the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on non-pharmacological approaches that may slow the progression of AD and improve cognitive function. One promising area is the investigation of irisin, a myokine released in response to physical activity that has been shown in recent studies to exert multifaceted neuroprotective effects. Irisin regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression, activates neurogenesis, improves insulin sensitivity and energy metabolism, and reduces neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that irisin improves memory performance, spatial learning, and synaptic plasticity in animal models of AD. Moreover, physical activity that promotes irisin secretion has been shown to improve cognitive function and overall well-being in patients with AD. This review summarizes current data on the mechanisms of irisin action and its role in the pathogenesis and treatment of AD. The review emphasizes the need for further research, particularly studies on pharmacological modulation of irisin and the integration of physical exercise into comprehensive treatment strategies. Irisin is considered a promising target for developing novel prevention and treatment strategies in AD.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Gibizov, Y. A., Вагапова, Л. Ш., Aguzarova, A. O., Nazarova, J. V., Zotkina, Y. A., Atamanyuk, E. A., et al. (2025). Physical Activity and the Myokine Irisin in Non-pharmacological Treatment of Alzheimer Disease. Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.17816/rjpbr677844
Vancouver
Gibizov YA, Вагапова ЛШ, Aguzarova AO, Nazarova JV, Zotkina YA, Atamanyuk EA, et al. Physical Activity and the Myokine Irisin in Non-pharmacological Treatment of Alzheimer Disease. Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation. 2025. doi:10.17816/rjpbr677844.
BibTeX
@article{gibizov2025-51978b36,
author = {Gibizov, Yuriy A. and Вагапова, Л. Ш. and Aguzarova, Alina O. and Nazarova, Julia V. and Zotkina, Yana A. and Atamanyuk, Ekaterina A. and Rodikova, Mariia M. and Timergaleev, Rafael N. and others},
title = {{Physical Activity and the Myokine Irisin in Non-pharmacological Treatment of Alzheimer Disease}},
journal = {Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.17816/rjpbr677844},
url = {https://doi.org/10.17816/rjpbr677844}
}
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Key findings
- Preclinical studies have demonstrated that irisin improves memory performance, spatial learning, and synaptic plasticity in animal models of AD.
- Moreover, physical activity that promotes irisin secretion has been shown to improve cognitive function and overall well-being in patients with AD.
Why it matters
This review describes irisin, a myokine released with physical activity, as having neuroprotective effects in animal models and notes that physical activity promoting irisin has been linked to improved cognitive function and well-being in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It calls for further research, including studies on pharmacological modulation of irisin.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 29/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on senior author's track record, so that was left out: it earned 28 of the 96 points we could judge it on, which is 29 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation: journal h-index 10 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 0 / 7 | Cited 0 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 0 / 6 | Cited 0.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | OpenAlex's profile for last-listed author Anton O. Maryin holds only 1 work(s), too few to judge a track record — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Sechenov University: institution h-index 284 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 10 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Points | 28 / 96 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 28 of the 96 points we could judge it on is 29 out of 100. |
| Total | 29 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.17816/rjpbr677844
- Original source →
- Free full text: Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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