Effects of Exercise on Memory Consolidation and Retrieval of Passive Avoidance Learning In Young Male Rats

Abstract

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that physical activity improves learning and memory. Present study was performed to determine the effects of short term and long term treadmill exercise on learning, memory consolidation and retrieval of passive avoidance learning in an animal model. Methods:In this study fifty male Wistar rats with 3-4 months of age were randomly divided into five groups (n=10 in each group). Control group was trained in passive avoidance box and was tested 10 min, 24 hr, 10 days and 3 months later. Two groups exercised on treadmill one hour at 17 m. min for 10 days and 3 months respectively and then were trained in passive avoidance box and were tested 10 min and 24 hr later. The other two groups were trained and were tested 10 days and 24 hr later and then exercised on treadmill as same as other exercised groups. Results:Obtained results showed that short-term (10 days) and long-term (3 months) treadmill running before training by passive avoidance test had significant (P=0.006 and P=0.001 respectively) effects on memory consolidation. However, no significant difference was observed between latency time of rats before and after exercise in exercised groups retrieval (P>0.05). Conclusion:Our results showed that physical activity promoted learning and memory consolidation but it did not affect retrieval memory performance.

Prior regular exercise prevents synaptic plasticity impairment in sleep deprived female rats

“…Although some evidences have indicated the significant promotion of cognitive performance, learning and memory by physical activities (Ang and Gomez-Pinilla, 2007;Cotman and Berchtold, 2002;García-Capdevila et al, 2009;Leasure and Jones, 2008;Lin et al, 2012;Saadati et al, 2010;Van Praag et al, 1999) other studies, in agreement with our findings, have revealed lack of improvement (Titterness et al, 2011;Zagaar et al, 2012a,b). This controversy OVX (ovariectomized) (B) female rats.…”

Exercise Prevents Memory Impairment Induced by Arsenic Exposure in Mice: Implication of Hippocampal BDNF and CREB

“…Treadmill exercise improved spatial learning memory [ 49 , 50 ]. A study investigating the effect of exercise on different stages of memory revealed that treadmill running improved the consolidation of passive avoidance memory but had no effect on memory retrieval [ 51 ]. Moreover, physical exercise improved cognitive performance in psychogeriatric patients [ 14 ].…”

The Effect of Exercise on Learning and Spatial Memory Following Stress-Induced Sleep Deprivation (Sleep REM) in Rats

“…This test is performed 24 hours after the acquisition phase. In a study by Saadati et al (39), cognitive function was measured by avoidance learning, and it was found that the difference between test types may lead to different results in evaluation exercise effects on memory.…”