Summary: Thiamine derivatives, once developed to treat nutrient deficiencies, are now being explored for their potential effects on brain function and energy. A new study shows that TTFD, a thiamine derivative, increases dopamine in the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex, leading to enhanced arousal and physical activity in rats.
The effect appears to be driven by activation of key brain regions involved in wakefulness, including the ventral tegmental area and locus coeruleus. These findings suggest that TTFD could be used not only for nutritional support but also as a novel approach to boosting alertness and vitality.
Key Facts:
- Dopamine Boost: TTFD increases dopamine in brain areas tied to motivation and arousal.
- Wakefulness Effect: Rats given TTFD showed more physical activity and alertness.
- Brain Activation: Key arousal centers like the VTA and locus coeruleus were activated.
Source: University of Tsukuba
Thiamine deficiency has long been a significant health concern, contributing to conditions such as beriberi, which was widespread from the Edo to Meiji periods (1868-1912). The development of thiamine derivatives in the 1950s marked a key advance in treating these deficiencies.
Today, such derivatives are commonly used as nutritional supplements to support daily energy, even in modern societies where thiamine deficiency is uncommon.
Recent studies have also examined the potential effects of thiamine derivatives on brain function.
The research team previously discovered that TTFD increases dopamine levels in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats, thereby boosting physical activity. This rise in dopamine is linked to the activation of brain regions involved in arousal, such as the ventral tegmental area and the locus coeruleus.
Based on these findings, the team hypothesized that TTFD administration would promote arousal.
To test this hypothesis, the team intraperitoneally administered TTFD to rats and assessed changes in their sleep-wake states and physical activity levels using EEG and electromyography.
The results indicated that TTFD administration enhanced physical activity and wakefulness.
Future studies will aim to uncover the neural mechanisms behind this effect, potentially demonstrating TTFD’s potential in boosting daily vitality.
Funding: This research was supported in part by KAKENHI Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (21H04858; 24H00670) (H. Soya); Scientific Research (C) (22K11601) (F. Grenier); Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Next Generation Exercise Program for Developing Motivation, Body and Mind Performance (16H06405) (H. Soya); Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)-Mirai Program (JPMJMI19D5) (H. Soya); Grant-in-Aid for Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowships (21J20478; 22KJ0362) (T. Hata); and a joint research grant from NIHON PHARMACEUTICAL Co., Ltd (H. Soya).
About this dopamine and wakefulness research news
Author: H. Soya
Source: University of Tsukuba
Contact: H. Soya – University of Tsukuba
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Promoting arousal associated with physical activity with the vitamin B1 derivative TTFD” by H. Soya et al. Journal of Physiological Sciences
Abstract
Promoting arousal associated with physical activity with the vitamin B1 derivative TTFD
Physical inactivity, which is a global issue, reduces physical and mental vitality, particularly impairing prefrontal-cortex-based mental health. This may trigger social withdrawal and depression, hindering the ability to have an active lifestyle.
However, we have identified a beneficial agent, a vitamin B1Â derivative called thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD), that enhances physical activity through dopaminergic regulation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats.
Since the brain dopaminergic system also regulates the sleep-wake cycle via the ascending arousal system, we postulated that TTFD may promote arousal.
To test this, we performed electroencephalograms and electromyograms in rats, monitoring their physical activity and sleep-wake cycles after TTFD injection.
Analysis revealed that TTFD acutely promotes arousal, reduces slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and promotes increased physical activity.
TTFD not only promotes physical activity but also increases arousal, thereby potentially contributing to enhanced mental health.
