By Jessica Mimms, Raquel Novoa-Litchford, Emma Friedrich, Amani Guillaume
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters
10:00-10:50am, HCC 329
Physical exercise increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule important for synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. This compelled us to examine how aerobic exercise may influence BDNF in the hippocampus and amygdala. We found that aerobically exercised CD-1 male mice did not show enhanced cognitive function on the Lashley Maze and Passive Avoidance Task, when compared to sedentary mice. The wheel running mice were able to complete the Lashley Maze in less time but had a similar number of errors than the sedentary mice. In the Passive Avoidance Task, the exercise had no effect on performance. Exercise also had no significant effect on BDNF in brain tissue, neither the amygdala nor hippocampus. Our findings suggest there is no association between BDNF expression, exercise, and cognitive learning.
