Running throughout middle‐age improves memory function, hippocampal neurogenesis, and BDNF levels in female C57BL/6J mice

Age‐related memory loss is considered to commence at middle‐age and coincides with reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophin levels. Consistent physical activity at midlife may preserve brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, new cell genesis, and learning. In the present stud...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental neurobiology (Hoboken, N.J.) N.J.), 2012-06, Vol.72 (6), p.943-952
Main Authors: Marlatt, Michael W., Potter, Michelle C., Lucassen, Paul J., van Praag, Henriette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging - physiology
Animals
BDNF
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - metabolism
Cell Count
cognition
exercise
Female
Hippocampus - cytology
Hippocampus - physiology
locomotor activity
Maze Learning - physiology
Memory
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Motor Activity - physiology
neurogenesis
Neurogenesis - physiology
Neurons - cytology
Neurons - physiology
Physical Conditioning, Animal - physiology
Running
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Age‐related memory loss is considered to commence at middle‐age and coincides with reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophin levels. Consistent physical activity at midlife may preserve brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, new cell genesis, and learning. In the present study, 9‐month‐old female C57Bl/6J mice were housed with or without a running wheel and injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newborn cells. Morris water maze learning, open field activity and rotarod behavior were tested 1 and 6 months after exercise onset. Here we show that long‐term running improved retention of spatial memory and modestly enhanced rotarod performance at 15 months of age. Both hippocampal neurogenesis and mature BDNF peptide levels were elevated after long‐term running. Thus, regular exercise from the onset and during middle‐age may maintain brain function. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 943–952, 2012
ISSN:1932-8451
1932-846X
DOI:10.1002/dneu.22009