Spontaneous EEG paroxysmal activity, behavioural and endocrine changes in male rats subjected to different regimens...

The changes in the excitability of the GNS of male rats were investigated following the influence of long-term (6 months) regimens of locomotion: running exercise and relative immobilization. The excitability was evaluated by the changes in EEG paroxysmal activity and in some behavioural states (alertness, exploration and quiet wakefulness). The quantitative alterations of the features mentioned were correlated with the serum levels of several hormones (LH, testosterone, ACTH, non-specific glucocorticoids) in terms to provide a complete assessment of the functional state of the CNS. The inference was drawn, that long-term exercise elicits adaptive changes resulting in an increase of the activation threshold of the CNS. Long-term restriction of the locomotion leads to an increase of the sensitivity of the nervous system, i.e. the activation threshold of the CNS was found to be lowered.