What do exercise and electroconvulsive therapy have in common?

Both increase the exercise regulated gene for producing VGF a neuropeptide precursor. The administration of synthetic VGF-derived peptide produces a robust antidepressant effect in mice. Blocking the gene for VGF inhibited the effect of exercise and induced depressive-like behavior in the mice.

This information further supports the benefit of exercise and provides a novel target for the development of new antidepressants with a different mode of action than the ones now being used.

From Science Daily