Muscle-brain crosstalk as a driver of brain health in aging

Cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults represent significant global health challenges. Although the bidirectional relationship between physical function and brain health is well established, the mechanistic drivers of this link remain poorly understood. Muscle function and quality are central to physical function, and muscle’s secretome is increasingly recognized for its systemic health effects—supporting the potential for muscle-to-brain crosstalk. This concept was explored at the 3rd International Research Symposium on Brain Health, jointly hosted by Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia. We present the findings of this symposium, which reviewed the current state of the literature on muscle-to-brain crosstalk from multiple perspectives, spanning population studies to preclinical models. A key focus was the muscle secretome, particularly myokines and extracellular vesicles, as potential messengers influencing brain health. The symposium also identified critical takeaways and proposed next steps to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of muscle-to-brain crosstalk and explore how these pathways might be harnessed through exercise or pharmacologic interventions to promote brain health in older adults.