Resistance exercise enhances cognitive function in mouse

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Exercise Physiology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Physical exercise, particularly aerobic, boosts adult neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
• The impact of resistance exercise on hippocampal plasticity molecules like BDNF and CREB is not well understood.
• Aerobic exercise is known for its neuroprotective effects, but resistance exercise's effects on specific plasticity molecules require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether resistance exercise (RE) influences brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and CREB expression in the hippocampus.
• To assess the effects of RE on learning and memory using the Morris water maze.
• To examine RE's impact on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70S6K signaling pathway in the soleus muscle.

Main Methods:

• Voluntary progressive-resistance wheel exercise (RE) was administered for 14 days.
• Hippocampal levels of BDNF and CREB were measured.
• Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze; muscle protein synthesis markers (mTOR, p70S6K) in the soleus were also assessed.

Main Results:

• RE significantly enhanced cognitive function, as indicated by performance in the Morris water maze.
• Hippocampal expressions of BDNF and CREB were elevated following RE.
• RE activated the mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway in the soleus muscle, with increased phosphorylated mTOR and p70S6K positively correlated with hippocampal BDNF expression.

Conclusions:

• Resistance exercise promotes cognitive enhancement and increases key synaptic plasticity molecules (BDNF, CREB) in the hippocampus.
• RE activates the muscle protein synthesis pathway (mTOR-p70S6K) in skeletal muscle.
• The findings suggest a link between muscle adaptation and enhanced brain function, highlighting the beneficial effects of resistance exercise on cognitive health.