Treadmill running improves spatial learning and memory in the rats with intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin
Abstract
Exercise has positive effects on central nervous system, especially when there is a context of disorder.1 Considering the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and lack of a decisive treatment, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on learning and memory in rats after intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ), a well defined model for Alzheimer’s disease .2
Experimental groups consisted of sham-rest, sham-exercise, lesion-rest and lesion–exercise groups. Rats in lesion group received ICV-STZ. In the exercise group, rats were made to run on a treadmill (20 m/min, 0-degree inclination, 50 min/day, 4 weeks). Morris water maze test was used to evaluate spatial learning and memory.
The results showed that spatial learning and memory indices were significantly impaired in the rats with ICV-STZ (Figure 1). However, exercise prevented impairments as there was a significant difference between lesion–exercise and lesion–rest groups.
The findings of this study suggested that similar to Alzheimer’s disease, ICV-STZ severely impairs cognitive process, but exercise prevents this damage. Therefore, exercise probably is helpful in prevention and alleviation of cognitive disorders in Alzheimer’s disease.
Experimental groups consisted of sham-rest, sham-exercise, lesion-rest and lesion–exercise groups. Rats in lesion group received ICV-STZ. In the exercise group, rats were made to run on a treadmill (20 m/min, 0-degree inclination, 50 min/day, 4 weeks). Morris water maze test was used to evaluate spatial learning and memory.
The results showed that spatial learning and memory indices were significantly impaired in the rats with ICV-STZ (Figure 1). However, exercise prevented impairments as there was a significant difference between lesion–exercise and lesion–rest groups.
The findings of this study suggested that similar to Alzheimer’s disease, ICV-STZ severely impairs cognitive process, but exercise prevents this damage. Therefore, exercise probably is helpful in prevention and alleviation of cognitive disorders in Alzheimer’s disease.
Keywords
Alzheimer, Treadmill running, Streptozotocin, Spatial learning and memory, Morris water maze.