Physical activity raises dopamine, a key target in fighting the disease
Written by Patricia Inácio, PhD | December 24, 2025
- Aerobic exercise significantly increases dopamine release in the brain.
- This helps improve movement and coordination, offsetting dopamine loss in aging and Parkinson’s.
- Regular physical activity is vital for brain health and motor performance.
Aerobic exercise triggers a surge of dopamine in the brain that can significantly improve movement and coordination during the aging process, a new study in mice suggests.
By providing “neurochemical evidence” for the benefits of staying active, researchers found that regular physical activity can help offset the natural decline of this key chemical messenger, a discovery with significant implications for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.
The loss of dopamine, which helps control everything from motivation to motor function, is a hallmark of both Parkinson’s and healthy aging.
“These results provide neurochemical evidence for why exercise improves everything from memory to movement to mood, all of which are affected in people with Parkinson’s disease,” Margaret E. Rice, PhD, a professor at the New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, and the study’s lead author, said in an NYU Langone Health news story.
The study, “Voluntary exercise increases striatal dopamine release and improves motor performance in aging mice,” was published in the journal npj Parkinson’s Disease.
Read more: New study reveals why exercise is vital for Parkinson’s brain health
Source: Parkinson’s News Today
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