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Continuous and not continuous 2-week treadmill training enhances the performance in the passive avoidance test in
Ana Paula Cassiano Silveira1, Takae Tamy Kitabatake1, Vivian Mozol Pantaleo1
1Laboratory of Neuropsychobiology and Motor Behavior, Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP),AV. dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto (SP), 14049-900, Brazil.
Treadmill training frequency and duration impact memory recovery after ischemic stroke. Continuous training improved memory retention more effectively than non-continuous training in gerbils.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stroke Research
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Ischemic stroke significantly impairs cognitive function, particularly memory.
- Understanding effective rehabilitation strategies is crucial for post-stroke recovery.
- Treadmill training is a promising intervention for motor and potentially cognitive recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different treadmill training frequencies and durations on memory deficits after experimental ischemic stroke.
- To evaluate the impact of continuous versus non-continuous training protocols on cognitive performance and hippocampal neuron density.
Main Methods:
- Experimental ischemic stroke was induced in Mongolian gerbils via bilateral carotid artery occlusion.
- Animals underwent either continuous (12 days) or non-continuous (6 days) treadmill training starting 24 hours post-stroke.
- Memory was assessed using the passive avoidance test (Shuttle Box) with a Learning Session and Retention Tests.
- Hippocampal CA1 neuron density was analyzed morphologically post-mortem.
Main Results:
- Treadmill training preserved neuron density in the CA1 area of the hippocampus compared to control groups.
- Continuous training led to significantly higher memory retention (latency) in the Retention Test compared to non-continuous training.
- Non-continuous training showed improved memory retention in the second week of testing, but less consistently than continuous training.
Conclusions:
- Both continuous and non-continuous treadmill training can aid memory recovery after ischemic stroke.
- The frequency and total duration of treadmill training are critical factors influencing the extent of memory improvement.
- Continuous treadmill training appears to be a more effective strategy for enhancing long-term memory retention post-stroke.
