Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Verification of Exercise for Aging Mice in Different Brain Regions Based on...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Aging Research
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Aging is associated with cognitive decline, particularly memory deficits.
• Physical exercise is known to mitigate these effects, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.
• The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus are critical for memory and affected by aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the neurobiological mechanisms of exercise's protective effects against age-related memory deficits.
• Utilize bioinformatic analysis and biochemical verification in mouse models.
• Focus on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus.

Main Methods:

• Young and aging mice underwent treadmill exercise or natural feeding for 8 weeks.
• Cognitive function assessed via Barnes maze and novel object recognition tests.
• Bioinformatic analysis identified co-expressed genes; RT-qPCR validated targets and pathways.

Main Results:

• Exercise significantly improved age-related cognitive deficits.
• Exercise reversed the age-related up-regulation of Ifi27l2a, Irf7, Oas1b, Ifit1, and down-regulation of Septin2 in the hippocampus and PFC.
• Enrichment analysis revealed exercise inhibited the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, suggesting reduced neuroinflammation.

Conclusions:

• Exercise enhances learning and memory in aging mice.
• Beneficial effects are linked to specific gene expression changes and modulation of the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway.
• Neuroinflammation modulation is a key molecular mechanism underlying exercise's brain-aging benefits.