Leg bone stimulation protected the brain after injury in mice and pigs

Researchers at Southern Medical University in China found that controlled compression of the tibia makes bone cells release neuroprotective factors into the bloodstream. In mice and miniature pigs with brain injury, this reduced neuron loss and damage area; the PIEZO1 channel is the key trigger. The study is published in Nature Neuroscience, with no human trials yet.

• Tibial loading: 300 compressions per session, about twice per second, five days a week
• Disabling PIEZO1 in osteocytes eliminated the protective effect
• Serum from loaded mice reduced neuron loss in injured controls
• Six loaded pigs survived longer and had smaller brain damage areas