title: Running throughout middle-age improves memory function, hippocampal neurogenesis, and BDNF levels in female C57BL/6J mice.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences-Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Marlatt
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lucassen
authors.forename: Henriette
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Praag
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor