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Exercise-induced Nogo-A influences rodent motor learning in a time-dependent manner
Jörg H Stehle1,2, Zhiyuan Sheng1, Laura Hausmann3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People´s Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Henan University School of Medicine, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Plos One
|May 5, 2021
Summary
Physical exercise enhances motor learning by temporarily reducing Nogo-A, a protein that inhibits neuronal plasticity. This reduction opens a learning window, but sustained exercise leads to Nogo-A upregulation, which stabilizes newly acquired motor skills.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The adult central nervous system (CNS) exhibits limited plasticity.
- Physical exercise can enhance CNS plasticity, supporting learning and memory.
- Molecular mechanisms linking exercise to plasticity remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the effect of running wheel exercise on Nogo-A expression in the rat cortex.
- Determine the role of Nogo-A in exercise-induced motor learning in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of Nogo-A protein levels in rat cortex.
- Behavioral analysis of motor learning in a skilled forelimb-reaching task.
- Administration of Nogo-A function-blocking antibodies during different training phases.
Main Results:
- One week of exercise decreased Nogo-A in motor cortex layer 2/3, with levels returning to baseline after two weeks.
- Nogo-A antibody treatment during the first week of training improved motor learning.
- Nogo-A antibody treatment over two weeks impaired motor learning.
Conclusions:
- Nogo-A exhibits a bimodal, time-dependent role in exercise-induced plasticity and motor learning.
- Initial Nogo-A suppression facilitates motor learning by increasing plasticity.
- Later Nogo-A upregulation is crucial for consolidating and stabilizing learned motor skills.
