Exercise training improves long-term memory in obese mice

Obesity has been linked to a range of pathologies, including dementia. In contrast, regular physical activity is associated with the prevention or reduced progression of neurodegeneration. Specifically, physical activity can improve memory and spatial cognition, reduce age-related cognitive decline, and preserve brain volume, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Accordingly, we investigated whether any detrimental effects of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on cognition, motor behavior, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be mitigated by voluntary exercise training in male C57Bl/6 mice. HFD-induced impairment of motor function was not reversed by exercise. Importantly, voluntary wheel running improved long-term memory and increased hippocampal neurogenesis, suggesting that regular physical activity may prevent cognitive decline in obesity.