How Gentle Tapping on the Shin Heals the Brain

Recent research from Southern Medical University in China suggests that gently tapping on the shin bone can aid in healing the brain after injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often lead to faster healing of bones, prompting researchers to investigate whether the reverse could also be true. To test this hypothesis, the team inflicted brain injuries and strokes on mice and pigs, then equipped the affected animals with electronic devices that rhythmically tapped their shin bones approximately twice per second for five days.

The results, published in Nature Neuroscience, were promising. The tapping reduced brain cell loss, stimulated neuron growth, and decreased chronic inflammation. Moreover, it extended the animals' survival time and improved their motor function and ability to navigate mazes, indicating a reduction in memory loss. The researchers identified a protein called PIEZO1, found in bone cells, as the key to these healing effects.

PIEZO1 is a propeller-shaped protein with three spiral "blades" that respond to pressure by opening an ion channel, allowing positively charged ions to enter the cell. When PIEZO1 was absent, the benefits of shin tapping were not observed. This finding suggests that bones may function like endocrine organs, regulating mineral levels, secreting growth factors, and influencing hormones that can impact various bodily functions.

The discovery of this new connection between the brain and bones opens up exciting possibilities for improving outcomes in TBI patients.