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Grandfathers-to-Grandsons Transgenerational Transmission of Exercise Positive Effects on Cognitive Performance
Elisa Cintado1,2, Patricia Tezanos1,2, Manuela De Las Casas1,3
1Department of Translational Neuroscience, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid 28002, Spain.
Summary
Physical exercise benefits cognitive function across generations. This study shows exercise-induced cognitive enhancements in mice are inherited by the second generation (F2), demonstrating transgenerational effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Physical exercise enhances cognitive abilities.
- Intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance of exercise benefits are not fully understood.
- Previous research confirmed intergenerational (F1) cognitive benefits from parental exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transgenerational cognitive effects of physical exercise in the second filial generation (F2).
- To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, including miRNA expression, in transgenerational cognitive enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral testing of second-generation (F2) male mice whose grandfathers (F0) underwent exercise intervention.
- Analysis of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in F2 mice.
- Small RNA sequencing in the hippocampus to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs).
Main Results:
- F2 mice from physically active grandfathers showed significantly improved memory recall compared to controls.
- Transgenerational cognitive enhancement was observed in F2 mice, a novel finding.
- Hippocampal neurogenesis in F2 mice remained unchanged, unlike in the F1 generation.
- 35 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, with miR-144 and miR-298 negatively correlating with cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Physical exercise can induce cognitive enhancements that are transmitted transgenerationally to the F2 generation.
- Specific miRNAs may play a role in mediating the transgenerational inheritance of exercise-induced cognitive benefits.
- Moderate exercise can lead to lasting positive effects on cognition across multiple generations.
Keywords:
adult hippocampal neurogenesisbehavioral phenotypein vitro fertilizationmicroRNAmoderate exercisetransgenerational effectsMore Related Videos
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