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Regular exercise promotes memory function and enhances hippocampal neuroplasticity in experimental autoimmune
1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
Neuroscience
|January 22, 2017
Summary
Regular exercise may improve memory in multiple sclerosis (MS) by partially reversing hippocampal damage, including demyelination and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This suggests exercise could benefit cognitive function in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS disorder causing demyelination and cognitive impairment.
- Exercise shows promise in mitigating dementia, prompting investigation into its effects on MS-related memory deficits.
- Hippocampal neuroplasticity and demyelination are key factors in MS cognitive decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of exercise on memory in a mouse model of MS (EAE).
- To examine exercise's effects on hippocampal demyelination, neuroplasticity, and related molecular markers.
- To determine if exercise can ameliorate cognitive deficits in MS.
Main Methods:
- Established an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model for MS.
- Assigned mice to Sham, EAE, and EAE+Exercise (EAE+EX) groups.
- Assessed memory using step-down avoidance tasks and analyzed hippocampal tissue for myelin proteins (MBP, CNPase), cell proliferation (BrdU, DCX), apoptosis (TUNEL, caspase-3, bax, bcl-2), and BDNF.
Main Results:
- EAE mice exhibited memory impairment, reduced myelination, increased apoptosis and cell proliferation, and decreased hippocampal BDNF.
- Exercise in EAE+EX mice partially reversed memory decline and normalized demyelination, apoptosis, BDNF levels, and cell proliferation.
- These findings indicate exercise's potential to counteract MS-induced hippocampal pathology.
Conclusions:
- Exercise may benefit cognitive function in MS patients by mitigating hippocampal cellular and molecular impairments.
- Regular physical activity could be a therapeutic strategy to improve memory in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
- Further research is warranted to explore exercise interventions for MS-related cognitive dysfunction.
