1
|
Boecker H, Daamen M, Kunz L, Geiß M, Müller M, Neuss T, Henschel L, Stirnberg R, Upadhyay N, Scheef L, Martin JA, Stöcker T, Radbruch A, Attenberger U, Axmacher N, Maurer A. Hippocampal subfield plasticity is associated with improved spatial memory. Commun Biol 2024; 7:271. [PMID: 38443439 PMCID: PMC10914736 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05949-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Physical exercise studies are generally underrepresented in young adulthood. Seventeen subjects were randomized into an intervention group (24.2 ± 3.9 years; 3 trainings/week) and 10 subjects into a passive control group (23.7 ± 4.2 years), over a duration of 6 months. Every two months, performance diagnostics, computerized spatial memory tests, and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging were conducted. Here we find that the intervention group, compared to controls, showed increased cardiorespiratory fitness, spatial memory performance and subregional hippocampal volumes over time. Time-by-condition interactions occurred in right cornu ammonis 4 body and (trend only) dentate gyrus, left hippocampal tail and left subiculum. Increases in spatial memory performance correlated with hippocampal body volume changes and, subregionally, with left subicular volume changes. In conclusion, findings support earlier reports of exercise-induced subregional hippocampal volume changes. Such exercise-related plasticity may not only be of interest for young adults with clinical disorders of hippocampal function, but also for sedentary normal cohorts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henning Boecker
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Marcel Daamen
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Kunz
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Melanie Geiß
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Moritz Müller
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Neuss
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Leonie Henschel
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Stirnberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Neeraj Upadhyay
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Scheef
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jason A Martin
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tony Stöcker
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Radbruch
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Attenberger
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nikolai Axmacher
- Department of Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Angelika Maurer
- Clinical Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Venusberg-Campus 1/99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu L, Almeida QJ, Silva AF, He L. Editorial: Exercise-induced neuroplasticity in neurodegeneration diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1296291. [PMID: 37841683 PMCID: PMC10570825 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1296291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laikang Yu
- Department of Sports Performance, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Quincy J. Almeida
- Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Kinesiology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ana Filipa Silva
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- The Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), Melgaço, Portugal
| | - Lingxiao He
- School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pfyffer D, Zimmermann S, Şimşek K, Kreis R, Freund P, Seif M. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy investigation in the right human hippocampus following spinal cord injury. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1120227. [PMID: 37251221 PMCID: PMC10213741 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1120227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Preclinical studies have shown that cognitive impairments following spinal cord injury (SCI), such as impaired spatial memory, are linked to inflammation, neurodegeneration, and reduced neurogenesis in the right hippocampus. This cross-sectional study aims to characterize metabolic and macrostructural changes in the right hippocampus and their association to cognitive function in traumatic SCI patients. Methods Within this cross-sectional study, cognitive function was assessed in 28 chronic traumatic SCI patients and 18 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls by a visuospatial and verbal memory test. A magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and structural MRI protocol was performed in the right hippocampus of both groups to quantify metabolic concentrations and hippocampal volume, respectively. Group comparisons investigated changes between SCI patients and healthy controls and correlation analyses investigated their relationship to memory performance. Results Memory performance was similar in SCI patients and healthy controls. The quality of the recorded MR spectra was excellent in comparison to the best-practice reports for the hippocampus. Metabolite concentrations and volume of the hippocampus measured based on MRS and MRI were not different between two groups. Memory performance in SCI patients and healthy controls was not correlated with metabolic or structural measures. Conclusion This study suggests that the hippocampus may not be pathologically affected at a functional, metabolic, and macrostructural level in chronic SCI. This points toward the absence of significant and clinically relevant trauma-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Pfyffer
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Sandra Zimmermann
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kadir Şimşek
- Magnetic Resonance Methodology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Kreis
- Magnetic Resonance Methodology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maryam Seif
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kuhne LA, Ksiezarczyk AM, Braumann KM, Reer R, Jacobs T, Röder B, Hötting K. Cardiovascular exercise, learning, memory, and cytokines: Results of a ten-week randomized controlled training study in young adults. Biol Psychol 2023; 176:108466. [PMID: 36455805 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Physical exercise has been shown to enhance memory and to increase neuroplasticity. Rodent studies have revealed modulating effects of signaling molecules of the immune system (cytokines) on hippocampal plasticity and memory. Acute and chronic exercise have been both found to alter the number and function of immune cells. Thus, physical exercise might enhance neuroplasticity via an altered immune response. In this study we tested whether multiple repetitions of a vocabulary learning task combined with a bout of cardiovascular exercise enhances learning in humans and whether memory improvements correlated with acute exercise-induced cytokine changes. Data of 52 participants (20-40 years of age) who were randomly assigned to a cardiovascular exercise group (cycling) or a control group (stretching) were analyzed. During the 10-week treatment, participants completed 18 learning-exercise sessions. In each of these sessions, the vocabulary learning task was always performed immediately before exercising started. To assess acute exercise-induced changes in cytokine levels, blood sampling was performed at rest and immediately after exercising in two of the sessions. Learning success measured as increase in learning across all sessions and vocabulary retention four weeks after the treatment had ended did not differ between groups. The cycling group showed a relatively larger acute increase in IL-6, IL-1ra, IL-4, and IFN-γ compared to the stretching group. Exploratory analyses revealed significant positive associations between within-session learning and acute exercise-induced increases in IL-6 and IL-1ra in the cycling group only. These results suggest that the immune system may act as a mediator of exercise-induced cognitive benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Kuhne
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 11, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | | | - Rüdiger Reer
- Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Hamburg, Turmweg 2, 20148 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Jacobs
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Brigitte Röder
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 11, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Kirsten Hötting
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 11, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang YY, Chen SD, Leng XY, Kuo K, Wang ZT, Cui M, Tan L, Wang K, Dong Q, Yu JT. Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Management. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:983-999. [PMID: 35147548 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stroke, characterized as a neurological deficit of cerebrovascular cause, is very common in older adults. Increasing evidence suggests stroke contributes to the risk and severity of cognitive impairment. People with cognitive impairment following stroke often face with quality-of-life issues and require ongoing support, which have a profound effect on caregivers and society. The high morbidity of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) demands effective management strategies, in which preventive strategies are more appealing, especially those targeting towards modifiable risk factors. In this review article, we attempt to summarize existing evidence and knowledge gaps on PSCI: elaborating on the heterogeneity in current definitions, reporting the inconsistent findings in PSCI prevalence in the literature, exploring established or less established predictors, outlining prevention and treatment strategies potentially effective or currently being tested, and proposing promising directions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yuan Huang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Shi-Dong Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Xin-Yi Leng
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin Kuo
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Zuo-Teng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, College of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Ocean University of China, China
| | - Mei Cui
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, College of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Ocean University of China, China.,Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Qiang Dong
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kuhne LA, Ksiezarczyk AM, Braumann KM, Reer R, Jacobs T, Röder B, Hötting K. The Effects of Acute Cardiovascular Exercise on Memory and Its Associations With Exercise-Induced Increases in Neurotrophic Factors. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:750401. [PMID: 34858160 PMCID: PMC8630591 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.750401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to increasing life expectancy, low-cost interventions to counteract age-related memory impairment have gained popularity. Physical activity has been shown to positively affect memory and hippocampal plasticity in rodents and humans. These effects have been proposed to be mediated by the release of neurotrophic factors. However, studies examining the effects of a single cardiovascular exercise session on human memory have yielded conflicting results. Moreover, it remains unclear whether exercise-induced memory enhancements are related to changes in peripheral neurotrophic factor concentrations. The present study tested whether one bout of cardiovascular exercise during an early phase of memory consolidation, compared to one bout of stretching and toning, positively affected memory. Furthermore, it was analyzed whether exercise-induced changes in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were related to memory enhancement after a single bout of physical exercise. Fifty healthy participants (20–40 years) were randomly assigned to either a cycling group (BIKE) or a stretching and toning group (STRETCH). Participants performed an implicit vocabulary learning task which was immediately followed by physical exercise. Memory for the learned vocabulary was tested 1–2 weeks later. To measure exercise-induced changes in serum neurotrophic factor levels, blood samples were collected at rest (baseline) and immediately after the exercise session. Results did not show a significant difference in memory between the BIKE group and the STRETCH group. However, in the BIKE group, a larger increase in BDNF and VEGF levels was observed than in the STRETCH group. Moreover, the increase in BDNF and memory performance tended to be positively related in the BIKE group. We speculate that the correlation between exercise-increased BDNF levels and memory in the cycling group may indicate an involvement of BDNF in mediating memory processes after acute cardiovascular exercise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Kuhne
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Ksiezarczyk
- Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus-Michael Braumann
- Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Reer
- Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Jacobs
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Röder
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Hötting
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kodali M, Mishra V, Hattiangady B, Attaluri S, Gonzalez JJ, Shuai B, Shetty AK. Moderate, intermittent voluntary exercise in a model of Gulf War Illness improves cognitive and mood function with alleviation of activated microglia and astrocytes, and enhanced neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:135-149. [PMID: 34245811 PMCID: PMC9885810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent cognitive and mood impairments in Gulf War Illness (GWI) are associated with chronic neuroinflammation, typified by hypertrophied astrocytes, activated microglia, and increased proinflammatory mediators in the brain. Using a rat model, we investigated whether a simple lifestyle change such as moderate voluntary physical exercise would improve cognitive and mood function in GWI. Because veterans with GWI exhibit fatigue and post-exertional malaise, we employed an intermittent voluntary running exercise (RE) regimen, which prevented exercise-induced stress. The GWI rats were provided access to running wheels three days per week for 13 weeks, commencing ten weeks after the exposure to GWI-related chemicals and stress (GWI-RE group). Groups of age-matched sedentary GWI rats (GWI-SED group) and naïve rats were maintained parallelly. Interrogation of rats with behavioral tests after the 13-week RE regimen revealed improved hippocampus-dependent object location memory and pattern separation function and reduced anxiety-like behavior in the GWI-RE group compared to the GWI-SED group. Moreover, 13 weeks of RE in GWI rats significantly reversed activated microglia with short and less ramified processes into non-inflammatory/antiinflammatory microglia with highly ramified processes and reduced the hypertrophy of astrocytes. Moreover, the production of new neurons in the hippocampus was enhanced when examined eight weeks after the commencement of RE. Notably, increased neurogenesis continued even after the cessation of RE. Collectively, the results suggest that even a moderate, intermittent physical exercise has the promise to improve brain function in veterans with GWI in association with suppression of neuroinflammation and enhancement of hippocampal neurogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maheedhar Kodali
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States,Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States,Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Bharathi Hattiangady
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States,Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Sahithi Attaluri
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Jenny Jaimes Gonzalez
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Bing Shuai
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States,Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Ashok K. Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, United States,Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States,Corresponding author at: Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, 1114 TAMU, 206 Olsen Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, United States. (A.K. Shetty)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pirlich M, Höfer C, Weise CM, Stockert A, Thöne-Otto A, Garthe A, Schob S, Classen J, Hoffmann KT, Saur D. Hippocampal gray matter volume in the long-term course after transient global amnesia. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 30:102586. [PMID: 33621769 PMCID: PMC7907892 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
No substantial hippocampus-dependent memory deficits in the long-term course after transient global amnesia. Greater hippocampal gray matter volume in patients with transient global amnesia compared to healthy controls in the long-term course. Transient global amnesia might trigger neuronal and/or non-neuronal mechanisms in the hippocampus resulting in an increase of grey matter rather than atrophy.
Objective In this retrospective, cross-sectional study we aimed to examine long-term memory deficits and gray matter volumes (GMV) in the hippocampus after transient global amnesia (TGA). Methods 20 patients with a history of TGA (TGA+, mean 6.5 years after TGA) and 20 age-matched healthy controls (TGA-) underwent neurocognitive assessment (i.e. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), visuospatial, verbal and episodic autobiographical memory and visuospatial learning/navigation [“human water maze”]) in combination with structural cerebral MRI. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to detect GMV in the hippocampus in TGA+ versus TGA-. Results Besides slight differences in MMSE and visuo-spatial learning/navigation measured with a human water maze in TGA+ vs. TGA-, no other tests of visuo-spatial, verbal and autobiographical long-term memory differed between groups. VBM analyses yielded a statistically significant difference in bilateral hippocampal GMV with TGA+ compared to TGA- showing greater GMV in a region corresponding to bilateral CA1. However, none of the hippocampus-dependent cognitive measures correlated with hippocampal GMV. Conclusion In the long-term course after TGA, only subtle neurocognitive deficits without microstructural damage of the hippocampus could be detected. Greater GMV in bilateral hippocampus in TGA+ vs. TGA- may indicate that TGA triggers hippocampal GMV increase rather than atrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Pirlich
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Cathleen Höfer
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Christopher M Weise
- Department of Neurology, University of Halle Medical Center, Halle, Germany; Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Anika Stockert
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Angelika Thöne-Otto
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Alexander Garthe
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Stefan Schob
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Karl-Titus Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany
| | - Dorothee Saur
- Department of Neurology (M.P., C.H., C.M.W., A.S., J.C., D.S.), Department of Neuroradiology (S.S., K.T.H.) and Department of Cognitive Neurology (A.T.O.), University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden (A.G.), Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Effects of Physical Exercise on Neuroplasticity and Brain Function: A Systematic Review in Human and Animal Studies. Neural Plast 2021; 2020:8856621. [PMID: 33414823 PMCID: PMC7752270 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8856621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physical exercise (PE) has been associated with increase neuroplasticity, neurotrophic factors, and improvements in brain function. Objective To evaluate the effects of different PE protocols on neuroplasticity components and brain function in a human and animal model. Methods We conducted a systematic review process from November 2019 to January 2020 of the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus. A keyword combination referring to PE and neuroplasticity was included as part of a more thorough search process. From an initial number of 20,782 original articles, after reading the titles and abstracts, twenty-one original articles were included. Two investigators evaluated the abstract, the data of the study, the design, the sample size, the participant characteristics, and the PE protocol. Results PE increases neuroplasticity via neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, and NGF) and receptor (TrkB and P75NTR) production providing improvements in neuroplasticity, and cognitive function (learning and memory) in human and animal models. Conclusion PE was effective for increasing the production of neurotrophic factors, cell growth, and proliferation, as well as for improving brain functionality.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ben-Zeev T, Weiss I, Ashri S, Heled Y, Ketko I, Yanovich R, Okun E. Mild Physical Activity Does Not Improve Spatial Learning in a Virtual Environment. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:584052. [PMID: 33281575 PMCID: PMC7705229 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.584052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well-established that physical exercise in humans improves cognitive functions, such as executive functions, pattern separation, and working memory. It is yet unknown, however, whether spatial learning, long known to be affected by exercise in rodents, is also affected in humans. In order to address this question, we recruited 20 healthy young male adults (18-30 years old) divided into exercise and control groups (n = 10 in each group). The exercise group performed three sessions per week of mild-intensity aerobic exercise for 12 weeks, while the control group was instructed not to engage in any physical activity. Both groups performed maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) tests to assess their cardiovascular fitness at baseline and every 4 weeks through the 12 weeks of the training program. The effects of mild aerobic exercise were tested on performance in two different virtual reality (VR)-based spatial learning tasks: (1) virtual Morris water maze (VMWM) and (2) virtual Radial arm water maze (VRAWM). Subjects were tested in both tasks at baseline prior to the training program and at the end of 12 weeks training program. While the mild-intensity aerobic exercise did not affect subjects' VO2max parameters, mean time to anaerobic threshold increased for the exercise group compared with control. No effect was observed, however, on performance in the VMWM or VRAWM between the two groups. Based on these results, we suggest that mild-intensity aerobic exercise does not improve spatial learning and memory in young, healthy adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tavor Ben-Zeev
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Paul Feder Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Inbal Weiss
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Saar Ashri
- The Institute of Military Physiology, Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yuval Heled
- The Institute of Military Physiology, Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Itay Ketko
- The Institute of Military Physiology, Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ran Yanovich
- The Institute of Military Physiology, Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Heller Institute of Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Military Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eitan Okun
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Paul Feder Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lehmann N, Villringer A, Taubert M. Intrinsic Connectivity Changes Mediate the Beneficial Effect of Cardiovascular Exercise on Sustained Visual Attention. Cereb Cortex Commun 2020; 1:tgaa075. [PMID: 34296135 PMCID: PMC8152900 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgaa075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular exercise (CE) is an evidence-based healthy lifestyle strategy. Yet, little is known about its effects on brain and cognition in young adults. Furthermore, evidence supporting a causal path linking CE to human cognitive performance via neuroplasticity is currently lacking. To understand the brain networks that mediate the CE-cognition relationship, we conducted a longitudinal, controlled trial with healthy human participants to compare the effects of a 2-week CE intervention against a non-CE control group on cognitive performance. Concomitantly, we used structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural mechanisms mediating between CE and cognition. On the behavioral level, we found that CE improved sustained attention, but not processing speed or short-term memory. Using graph theoretical measures and statistical mediation analysis, we found that a localized increase in eigenvector centrality in the left middle frontal gyrus, probably reflecting changes within an attention-related network, conveyed the effect of CE on cognition. Finally, we found CE-induced changes in white matter microstructure that correlated with intrinsic connectivity changes (intermodal correlation). These results suggest that CE is a promising intervention strategy to improve sustained attention via brain plasticity in young, healthy adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico Lehmann
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig 04103, Germany
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg 39104, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig 04103, Germany
- Mind and Brain Institute, Charité and Humboldt University, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Marco Taubert
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg 39104, Germany
- Center for Behavioral and Brain Science (CBBS), Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ben-Zeev T, Hirsh T, Weiss I, Gornstein M, Okun E. The Effects of High-intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on Spatial Learning, Visual Pattern Separation and Attention Span in Adolescents. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:577390. [PMID: 33093827 PMCID: PMC7521200 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.577390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aerobic, anaerobic, and strength exercises are known to improve various cognitive functions, such as executive functions, pattern separation, and working memory. High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a form of physical activity that can be modified to any fitness level and elicits greater muscle recruitment than repetitive aerobic exercises, thereby improving cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. HIFT emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements via high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and muscle-strengthening exercises. It is yet unknown, however, whether HIFT affects cognitive functions in adolescents. To address this question, we subjected adolescents to 3 × 20 min training sessions/week of HIFT for 3 months. The effects of HIFT were tested on performance in: (1) virtual reality (VR)-based spatial learning task; (2) computerized visual pattern separation; and (3) attention span. The control group performed a typical physical class three times per week. The effects on cognition were tested at baseline and following 3 months of HIFT. Three months into the intervention, the HIFT group achieved higher scores in the spatial learning task, pattern separation task, and in the attention span test, compared with controls. These data suggest that HIFT can potentially translate into improving school performance in adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tavor Ben-Zeev
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tamir Hirsh
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Inbal Weiss
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Eitan Okun
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Haverkamp BF, Wiersma R, Vertessen K, van Ewijk H, Oosterlaan J, Hartman E. Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. J Sports Sci 2020; 38:2637-2660. [PMID: 32783695 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1794763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim was to provide a meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adolescents or young adults. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed using the following databases: Embase, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Studies had to meet the following criteria: controlled study design, investigating the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in healthy adolescents or young adults (12-30 years). Results showed that acute interventions (n=44) significantly improved processing speed (ES=0.39), attention (ES=0.34) and, inhibition (ES=0.32). In a subsequent meta-regression, shorter duration of intervention was significantly associated with greater improvements in attention (β=-0.02) and cognitive flexibility (β=-0.04), whereas age, percentage of boys, intensity and dose were not. Chronic interventions (n=27) significantly improved processing speed (ES=0.30), attention (ES=0.50), cognitive flexibility (ES=0.19), working memory (ES=0.59) and language skills (ES=0.31). In the meta-regression, higher percentage of boys was significantly associated with greater improvements in attention (β=0.02) and working memory (β=0.01) whereas age, duration, frequency, dose and load were not. In conclusion, acute and chronic physical activity interventions might be a promising way to improve several cognitive outcomes and language skills in adolescents and young adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Franca Haverkamp
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculty of Behavioural an Movement Sciences, Clinical Neuropsychology Section , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rikstje Wiersma
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Vertessen
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Clinical Neuropsychology Section, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke van Ewijk
- Curium-LUMC, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center , Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Oosterlaan
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Clinical Neuropsychology Section, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Emma Neuroscience Group, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Hartman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences , Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
A Review of Exercise-Induced Neuroplasticity in Ischemic Stroke: Pathology and Mechanisms. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4218-4231. [PMID: 32691303 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
After ischemic stroke, survivors experience motor dysfunction and deterioration of memory and cognition. These symptoms are associated with the disruption of normal neuronal function, i.e., the secretion of neurotrophic factors, interhemispheric connections, and synaptic activity, and hence the disruption of the normal neural circuit. Exercise is considered an effective and feasible rehabilitation strategy for improving cognitive and motor recovery following ischemic stroke through the facilitation of neuroplasticity. In this review, our aim was to discuss the mechanisms by which exercise-induced neuroplasticity improves motor function and cognitive ability after ischemic stroke. The associated mechanisms include increases in neurotrophins, improvements in synaptic structure and function, the enhancement of interhemispheric connections, the promotion of neural regeneration, the acceleration of neural function reorganization, and the facilitation of compensation beyond the infarcted tissue. We also discuss some common exercise strategies and a novel exercise therapy, robot-assisted movement, which might be widely applied in the clinic to help stroke patients in the future.
Collapse
|
15
|
Lehmann N, Villringer A, Taubert M. Colocalized White Matter Plasticity and Increased Cerebral Blood Flow Mediate the Beneficial Effect of Cardiovascular Exercise on Long-Term Motor Learning. J Neurosci 2020; 40:2416-2429. [PMID: 32041897 PMCID: PMC7083530 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2310-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular exercise (CE) is a promising intervention strategy to facilitate cognition and motor learning in healthy and diseased populations of all ages. CE elevates humoral parameters, such as growth factors, and stimulates brain changes potentially relevant for learning and behavioral adaptations. However, the causal relationship between CE-induced brain changes and human's ability to learn remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that CE elicits a positive effect on learning via alterations in brain structure (morphological changes of gray and white matter) and function (functional connectivity and cerebral blood flow in resting state). We conducted a randomized controlled trial with healthy male and female human participants to compare the effects of a 2 week CE intervention against a non-CE control group on subsequent learning of a challenging new motor task (dynamic balancing; DBT) over 6 consecutive weeks. We used multimodal neuroimaging [T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted MRI, perfusion-weighted MRI, and resting state functional MRI] to investigate the neural mechanisms mediating between CE and learning. As expected, subjects receiving CE subsequently learned the DBT at a higher rate. Using a modified nonparametric combination approach along with multiple mediator analysis, we show that this learning boost was conveyed by CE-induced increases in cerebral blood flow in frontal brain regions and changes in white matter microstructure in frontotemporal fiber tracts. Our study revealed neural mechanisms for the CE-learning link within the brain, probably allowing for a higher flexibility to adapt to highly novel environmental stimuli, such as learning a complex task.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It is established that cardiovascular exercise (CE) is an effective approach to promote learning and memory, yet little is known about the underlying neural transfer mechanisms through which CE acts on learning. We provide evidence that CE facilitates learning in human participants via plasticity in prefrontal white matter tracts and a colocalized increase in cerebral blood flow. Our findings are among the first to demonstrate a transfer potential of experience-induced brain plasticity. In addition to practical implications for health professionals and coaches, our work paves the way for future studies investigating effects of CE in patients suffering from prefrontal hypoperfusion or white matter diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico Lehmann
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Department of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Mind and Brain Institute, Charité and Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany, and
| | - Marco Taubert
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Department of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral and Brain Science, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Iqbal M, Xiao XL, Zafar S, Yang PB, Si KW, Han H, Liu JX, Liu Y. Forced Physical Training Increases Neuronal Proliferation and Maturation with Their Integration into Normal Circuits in Pilocarpine Induced Status Epilepticus Mice. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:2590-2605. [PMID: 31560103 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02877-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Increased number of newly-born neurons produced at latent stage after status epilepticus (SE) contribute to aberrant rewiring of hippocampus and are hypothesized to promote epileptogenesis. Although physical training (PT) was reported to cause further increase in neurogenesis after SE, how PT affect their integration pattern is still elusive, whether they integrate into normal circuits or increase aberrant integrations is yet to be determined. To understand this basic mechanism by which PT effects SE and to elaborate the possible role of neuronal integrations in prognosis of SE, we evaluated the effect of 4 weeks of treadmill PT in adult male mice after pilocarpine-induced SE on behavioral and aberrant integrations' parameters. Changes in BDNF gene methylation and its protein level in hippocampus was also measured at latent stage (2-weeks) to explore underlying pathways involved in increasing neurogenesis. Our results demonstrated that although PT increased proliferation and maturation of neurons in dentate gyrus, they showed reduced aberrant integrations into hippocampal circuitry assessed through a decrease in the number of ectopic granular cells, hilar basal dendrites and mossy fiber sprouting as compared to non-exercised SE mice. While SE decreased the percentage methylation of specific CpGs of BDNF gene's promoter, PT did not yield any significant difference in methylation of BDNF CpGs as compared to non-exercised SE mice. In conclusion, PT increases hippocampal neurogenesis through increasing BDNF levels by some pathways other than demethylating BDNF CpGs and causes post SE newly-born neurons to integrate into normal circuits thus resulting in decreased spontaneous recurrent seizures and enhanced spatial memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muneeb Iqbal
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xin-Li Xiao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Salman Zafar
- University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore, 1 km Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Peng-Bo Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Kai-Wei Si
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Hua Han
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jian-Xin Liu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li Y, Shen M, Stockton ME, Zhao X. Hippocampal deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 165:106945. [PMID: 30321651 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders result from impaired development or maturation of the central nervous system. Both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the pathogenesis of these disorders; however, the exact causes are frequently complex and unclear. Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders may have deficits with diverse manifestations, including challenges with sensory function, motor function, learning, memory, executive function, emotion, anxiety, and social ability. Although these functions are mediated by multiple brain regions, many of them are dependent on the hippocampus. Extensive research supports important roles of the mammalian hippocampus in learning and cognition. In addition, with its high levels of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and lifelong neurogenesis, the hippocampus is sensitive to experience and exposure and susceptible to disease and injury. In this review, we first summarize hippocampal deficits seen in several human neurodevelopmental disorders, and then discuss hippocampal impairment including hippocampus-dependent behavioral deficits found in animal models of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Minjie Shen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Michael E Stockton
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Al-Thaqib A, Al-Sultan F, Al-Zahrani A, Al-Kahtani F, Al-Regaiey K, Iqbal M, Bashir S. Brain Training Games Enhance Cognitive Function in Healthy Subjects. Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2018; 24:63-69. [PMID: 29674605 PMCID: PMC5930973 DOI: 10.12659/msmbr.909022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain training games (BTG) are believed to play a major role in improving cognitive functions. The current study evaluated if BTG showed positive impact on attention and memory functions compared with baseline visit in healthy subjects. Material/Methods The study was carried out from October 2015 until April 2016 in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University and in King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We enrolled 51 normal healthy subjects to use a computerized cognitive training game (Lumosity) for exercises that target a range of cognitive functions, including attention, processing speed, visual memory, and executive functions for about 15 min per day, at least 7 days per week, for 3 weeks. The control (n=21) group did not perform the training. Both groups took the CANTAB test before and 3 weeks after training for various cognitive functions (flexibility, memory, attention, speed, and problem solving). Serum samples were used to study the brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein (Apo) E (APOE) levels. Results A significant improvement in Lumosity performance index was observed in the active group compared to the control group by the end of training (p-value 0.001). After the training, a statistically significant difference in most of the CANTAB measures, such as attention-switching task (AST), mean correct latency, AST switching cost, AST mean correct latency (congruent), AST mean correct latency (incongruent), AST mean correct latency (blocks 3 and 5) [non-switching blocks], AST mean correct latency (block 7) [switching block], and MOT mean correct latency (all P=0.000). However, in the control group, significant improvements were not observed. A positive correlation between pattern recognition memory (PRM) and APOE was found and people who had higher ApoE levels had faster response. Conclusions An improvement in different cognitive domains was noted, including attention and motor speed. However, this study warrants further research to determine the long-term effect on other cognitive functions and in different groups (e.g., elderly vs. adults).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Al-Thaqib
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Al-Sultan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Al-Zahrani
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Al-Kahtani
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Al-Regaiey
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Iqbal
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahid Bashir
- Department of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|