Show-Me State Times

Nathan Kerr, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Missouri, often finds his mentor Frank Booth running on a treadmill. "You’re not going to find someone with more enthusiasm for what they do than Frank," said Kerr. Booth, who has been with Mizzou since 1999, focuses his research on the consequences of physical inactivity at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Booth and Kerr recently conducted a study that found just 10 days of physical inactivity can lead to insulin resistance and increased production of reactive oxygen species in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning. They also discovered that muscle disuse over this period elevated markers associated with Alzheimer's disease.

"If you compare the 1940s to today, the average lifespan has risen from the mid-60s to the high 70s, but the rate of type 2 diabetes has skyrocketed," Booth noted. He emphasized that while lifespans have increased, health spans tend to decline after age 65 due to factors like physical inactivity.

Booth pointed out that significant health improvements are seen when individuals transition from no exercise to periodic exercise. "Research in Alzheimer’s development is starting to show that a lot of neurological changes for Alzheimer’s disease are occurring when people are in their 40s and 50s," he added.

Kerr credits Booth for fostering his passion for science during his doctoral studies. "He taught me how to fight for the things you think are important," Kerr stated.

During his career at Mizzou, Booth has secured nearly $8 million in grants and published over 170 research studies. His work continues to contribute significantly to Mizzou's reputation as a leading research university.

The study titled “Hindlimb immobilization induces insulin resistance and elevates mitochondrial ROS production in the hippocampus of female rats” was published with collaboration from Laurel Grisanti and Scott Rector.