Exploring the Role of Aerobic Exercise in Promoting Remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis: Lindsey Wooliscroft, MD, MS

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"I think that people are really trying to look at how all of these potential physical activities—whether it be aerobic exercise, strength training, or high-intensity interval training—might change the real biology of the disease using outcomes like neurofilament light chain or advanced MRI techniques. Hopefully, that’ll help us dial in the prescription for exercise a little bit better and help us understand that there are approaches that can really help with MS."

In individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), aerobic exercise has been associated with improvements in physical fitness, fatigue, mood, and mobility. Preclinical research further suggests that exercise may play a role in promoting myelin repair, both independently and in combination with pharmacologic therapies. In a recent study presented at the 2025 European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress, held September 24 to 26, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain, findings showed that improvements in aerobic fitness were associated with thalamic remyelination in patients with MS over 24 weeks.¹

Presented by lead author Lindsey Wooliscroft, MD, MS, the analysis assessed 21 patients with MS (women, 62%; mean age, 47 years) from a randomized, single-blind, parallel clinical trial (NCT04539002). In the study, only 12 participants performed virtually supervised, moderate to vigorous aerobic cycling for 30 minutes, 3 times weekly on a stationary ergometer over a 24-week period, compared with 9 participants in an MS symptom education control group. The authors noted that participants underwent testing prior to and following the interventions to determine changes in aerobic fitness and brain remyelination. Researchers analyzed associations between changes in aerobic fitness and remyelination for all participants, regardless of group assignment.

In an interview with NeurologyLive^® at ECTRIMS 2025, Wooliscroft, assistant professor of neurology at Oregon Health & Science University, discussed the pilot study's findings in detail. She noted that the study showed promising changes in brain regions such as the thalamus and corpus callosum, suggesting a relationship between improved aerobic fitness and myelin repair. Based on these findings, Wooliscroft emphasized the importance of integrating exercise as a complementary approach to disease-modifying therapies and underscored its broader benefits in MS.

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REFERENCES
1. Wooliscroft L, Silbermann E, Hardmeier M, et al. Does aerobic exercise promote remyelination in multiple sclerosis? Pilot data from a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial. Presented at ECTRIMS Congress; September 24-26, 2025; Barcelona, Spain. Abstract O073.