Interaction of bone and brain: osteocalcin and cognition
Misa Nakamura, Masakazu Imaoka, Masatoshi Takeda
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Bone has conventionally been considered to be a passive organ that only receives external control, but according to recent findings, it has become clear that bone is an endocrine organ that actively regulates systemic metabolism through osteocalcin (OC). METHODS: We focus on the relationship between the brain and bone and summarize the effects of OC on cognitive function as well as the association between OC and improved cognitive function through exercise. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the decrease in OC produced by bone is responsible for the decrease in cognitive function associated with aging. Furthermore, positive effect of improving cognitive function can generally be recognized in exercise interventions conducted for healthy elderly people and those with MCI, and moderate exercise is particularly effective for dementia prevention. CONCLUSION: The improving bone health with aging may exert beneficial effects on cognition.