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Brain tissue may be fuel for marathon runners

A study suggests nerve cell insulation, or myelin, is an energy source during endurance exercise

A photo of several marathon runners running from left to right across the frame.

Long-distance runners may tap into myelin as a fuel source for the brain. The fatty tissue insulates nerve cells and seems to diminish just after a race, then build back up in the following weeks.

Michael Blann/gettyimages

By Meghan Rosen

In endurance athletes, some brain power may come from an unexpected source.

Marathon runners appear to rely on myelin, the fatty tissue bundled around nerve fibers, for energy during a race, scientists report October 10 in a paper posted at bioRxiv.org.