Exercise improves memory acquisition and retrieval in the Y-maze task: relationship with hippocampal neurogenesis.
Enhanced physical activity is associated with improvements in cognitive function in rodents as well as in humans. The authors examined in detail which aspects of learning and memory are influenced by exercise, using a spatial Y-maze test combined with a 14-day exercise paradigm at different stages of learning. The authors show that 14 days of wheel running promotes memory acquisition, memory retention, and reversal learning. The exercise paradigm that was employed also significantly increased the number of maturing neurons, suggesting that an increase in neurogenesis underlies the positive effects of exercise on Y-maze performance. Finally, the authors show that memory acquisition in itself does not have a major impact on the number of immature neurons. However, memory retention testing and reversal learning both cause a significant reduction in the number of doublecortin and Ser133- phosphorylated pCREB-positive cells, indicating that a decrease in neurogenesis might be a prerequisite for optimal memory retrieval.
Van der Borght
Karin
K
Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
Havekes
Robbert
R
Bos
Thomas
T
Eggen
Bart J L
BJ
Van der Zee
Eddy A
EA
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000089622:Doublecortin Domain Proteins; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012193:Reversal Learning / Q000502:physiology
D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D000089622:Doublecortin Domain Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides