title: Effects of Different Exercise Strategies and Intensities on Memory Performance and Neurogenesis.
abstract: It is well established that physical exercise affects both hippocampal neurogenesis and memory functions. Until now, distinctive effects of controlled and voluntary training (VT) on behavior and neurogenesis as well as interactions between exercise intensity, neurogenesis and memory performance are still elusive. The present study tested the impact of moderate controlled and VT on memory formation and hippocampal neurogenesis and evaluated interactions between exercise performance, learning efficiency and proliferation of progenitor cells in the hippocampus. Our data show that both controlled and VT augmented spatial learning and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis. Regression analysis revealed a significant linear increase of the amount of new hippocampal neurons with increased exercise intensity. Regression analysis of exercise performance on retention memory performance revealed a quadratic, inverted u-shaped relationship between exercise performance and retention of spatial memory. No association was found between the amount of newborn neurons and memory performance. Our results demonstrate that controlled training (CT), if performed with an appropriate combination of speed and duration, improves memory performance and neurogenesis. Voluntary exercise elevates neurogenesis dose dependently to high levels. Best cognitive improvement was achieved with moderate exercise performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diederich
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bastl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wersching
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teuber
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan-Kolja
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Strecker
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Münster Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Minnerup
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bielefeld Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolf-Rüdiger
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Schäbitz
keywords: exercise; hippocampal neurogenesis; learning and memory