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Gene Expression After Exercise Is Disrupted by Early-Life Stress
Taylor S Campbell1, Katelyn Donoghue1, Tania L Roth1
1Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
Developmental Psychobiology
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Exercise promotes neuroprotection by influencing irisin gene expression. Early life stress can alter these effects, highlighting molecular mechanisms underlying exercise efficacy in individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Exercise positively impacts neural and psychological health.
- Early life stress can have disruptive neurological and psychological effects.
- Positive experiences like exercise promote neuroprotection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic benefits of exercise on brain gene expression.
- To examine the effects of exercise and early life stress on irisin.
- To understand molecular mechanisms of exercise efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a preclinical rat model (Long Evans rats).
- Exposed rats to maltreatment stress or nurturing care during infancy.
- Administered voluntary aerobic exercise intervention (running wheels) from Postnatal Days 70-90.
Main Results:
- Irisin gene expression, linked to neuroprotection, was differentially affected by exercise.
- Early life stress modulated the effects of exercise on irisin.
- Demonstrated a link between early life experiences, exercise, and neuroprotective gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Exercise influences neuroprotective gene expression, specifically irisin.
- Early life stress interacts with exercise to affect molecular pathways.
- Findings offer insights into individual variability in exercise benefits.
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