Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM

Wrann Lab is part of the MGB Neuroscience Institute🔬
MGH and Harvard Med Affiliate 🏥
Publications📝 🧠

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

Looking forward to presenting our work at #ACSM2026 and contributing to the ongoing discussion on exercise biology, irisin, brain health, and MS at @ACSMNews. Our paper in @NatMetabolism https://t.co/TE68A5kmaA

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

An exercise hormone derived from muscle—irisin— is neuroprotective, preventing brain cell loss, as seen in the experimental model of multiple sclerosis
@NatMetabolism
https://t.co/CC4KDOJTn1
https://t.co/9bbcLpW4g6

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

Excited to see our irisin–MS paper highlighted in Nature Metabolism — exercise may be a pathway to neuroprotective therapies. Read more: https://t.co/TE68A5kmaA @RosenkranzSina @MGHNeuroSci @mghcvrc @MGBResearchNews @MGHBrainHealth

[Nature Metabolism @NatMetabolism]

The exercise hormone irisin has neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis https://t.co/bJjswWWSuk

[Nature Metabolism @NatMetabolism]

The exercise hormone irisin has neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis https://t.co/bJjswWWSuk

[Christopher Nguyen, PhD, FSCMR, FACC @ChrisNguyenPhD]

Congratulations to @DavidChen_AIIH @DebbieKwonMD @zhao__ding for the paper in @NatureComms

https://t.co/ix0tiO8tuB

Proud of what they accomplished and another great win for @CleClinicCIRC @CleClinicHVTI @ClevelandClinic

[Lumida Health @LumidaHealth]

When muscle contracts during exercise, it releases proteins called myokines into the bloodstream.

Myokines travel to the brain, liver, fat tissue, bones, and immune cells and instruct them to function better.

Irisin, one of the most studied myokines, crosses the blood-brain barrier and directly stimulates the growth of new brain cells.

[Medical Xpress @medical_xpress]

In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, an exercise-linked hormone preserved neurons and eased symptoms—but when it was removed, exercise lost its protective edge. @MassGenBrigham https://t.co/0j2aKIOGai

[synapse @synapse800]

Irisin, the muscle-derived hormone released during exercise, delivers direct neuroprotection in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Researchers delivered it peripherally and saw improved clinical scores, less neuronal loss across spinal cord, hippocampus, and retina, plus preserved synapses and mitochondrial function.

It crossed the blood-brain barrier, bound motor neurons through upregulated αVβ5 integrin, and activated neuroprotective genes without touching immune pathways.

Cognitive performance rose as a result.

This separates the exercise benefit from immunomodulation and points to a targeted way to address MS neurodegeneration.

One related human trial showed aerobic exercise raised serum irisin while improving motor and cognitive metrics in RRMS patients.

The mechanism looks actionable for follow-on work thanks @EricTopol

[Science News @SciencNews]

The exercise hormone irisin promotes neuronal survival @NatMetabolism

[Top Biomedical Science @imedverse]

irisin induction in response to exercise confers direct neuroprotective effects in an inflammation-driven neurodegenerative condition @NatMetabolism

[Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Bagai @BagaiDr]

exercise hormone irisin has neuroprotective effects in MS: Aerobic exercise is disease-modifying intervention in multiple sclerosis (MS), improves physical fitness of people with MS & ameliorates progressive neurological symptoms; exercise hormone irisin, https://t.co/uZIivnqJ6C

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

Exactly — our Nature Metabolism study shows irisin prevents neuronal loss in an EAE model, revealing a mechanism linking exercise to neuroprotection and potential therapeutic avenues. Thanks for highlighting this! @RosenkranzSina @MGHNeuroSci @mghcvrc @MGBResearchNews

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

An exercise hormone derived from muscle—irisin— is neuroprotective, preventing brain cell loss, as seen in the experimental model of multiple sclerosis
@NatMetabolism
https://t.co/CC4KDOJTn1
https://t.co/9bbcLpW4g6

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

Our new study in out in Nature Metabolism: the exercise hormone irisin mediates neuroprotection in a mouse model of MS — highlighting exercise‑based therapeutic potential. Proud of the team! https://t.co/efb7B3W09G
@MGHNeuroSci @mghcvrc @MGBResearchNews @RosenkranzSina @MGHBrainHealth #MultipleSclerosis #Neuroimmunology #ExerciseMedicine #Neuroprotection #EAE #MSResearch

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

We appreciate Alzforum for spotlighting our latest research. Every step forward in understanding Alzheimer’s brings us closer to meaningful breakthroughs for patients and families.

[Alzforum @alzforum]

In mice, regular workouts spur neurogenesis, as well as transcriptomic changes across cell types. Exercise also corrected some signatures of AD. @MassGeneralNews
https://t.co/RVuCfIbUQp

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

Thrilled to see our new paper highlighted by Nature Neuroscience!
Huge thanks to my amazing co-authors and collaborators.
https://t.co/QEhgFW4fxN

[Nature Neuroscience @NatureNeuro]

Protective exercise responses in the dentate gyrus of Alzheimer’s disease mouse model revealed with single-nucleus RNA-sequencing

@WrannLab, @MGBResearchNews, @NR_Tucker, @UpstateResearch

https://t.co/gmDLW9wiiE

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

We would like to thank the Alzheimer's Association for their generous support that made this research possible.

[Alzheimer's Association @alzassociation]

RESEARCH UPDATE 🔬: Exciting new research findings reveal that exercise induces beneficial changes in various brain cell types and may result in a reversal of some Alzheimer's-related brain changes.

The study, driven by #ALZFunded researcher Christiane D. Wrann, DVM, Ph.D. (@WrannLab), enhances our understanding of disease-related brain changes and underscores the potential of lifestyle interventions to mitigate disease progression.

We look forward to hearing more about the impact of lifestyle interventions on brain health through the results of our U.S. POINTER study, which will report findings at #AAIC25 this summer.

#AlzResearch

[Christiane Wrann, PhD, DVM @WrannLab]

We like to thank the ADDF for their generous support!

[Mass General Brigham Research @MGBResearchNews]

In a new study, researchers from @WrannLab at @MassGeneralNews and colleagues discovered how exercise can protect the brain at the cellular level from #Alzheimers disease. The study was published in @NatureNeuro.

Read more: https://t.co/NjfTGBm8NN https://t.co/mFvArflVaf

[Ksenia Kastanenka, PhD @kastanenka]

Excited to share our collaborative work in @NatureNeuro, a collaboration with Wrann Lab! 🧠✨ A big step forward in understanding the role of exercise on Alzheimer's progression. Grateful to contribute to such an amazing team!
#Neuroscience #BrainResearch #NatureNeuro