A1 Journal article (refereed)
Intrinsic running capacity associates with hippocampal electrophysiology and long-term potentiation in rats (2024)

Mäkinen, E. E., Lensu, S., Wikgren, J., Pekkala, S., Koch, L. G., Britton, S. L., & Nokia, M. S. (2024). Intrinsic running capacity associates with hippocampal electrophysiology and long-term potentiation in rats. Neuroscience Letters, 823, Article 137665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137665

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Publication details

All authors or editors: Mäkinen, Elina E.; Lensu, Sanna; Wikgren, Jan; Pekkala, Satu; Koch, Lauren G.; Britton, Steven L.; Nokia, Miriam S.

Journal or series: Neuroscience Letters

ISSN: 0304-3940

eISSN: 1872-7972

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 30/01/2024

Volume: 823

Article number: 137665

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137665

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93981

Abstract

Good aerobic and metabolic fitness associates with better cognitive performance and brain health. Conversely, poor metabolic health predisposes to neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous findings indicate that rats selectively bred for Low Capacity for Running (LCR) show less synaptic plasticity and more inflammation in the hippocampus and perform worse in tasks requiring flexible cognition than rats bred for High Capacity for Running (HCR). Here we aimed to determine whether hippocampal electrophysiological activity related to learning and memory would be impaired in LCR compared to HCR rats. We also studied whether an exercise intervention could even out the possible differences. We conducted in vivo recordings from the dorsal hippocampus under terminal urethane anesthesia in middle-aged sedentary males and female rats, and in females allowed to access running wheels for 6 weeks. Our results indicate stronger long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA3-CA1 synapse in HCR than LCR rats, and in female than male rats. Compared to LCR rats, HCR rats had more dentate spikes and more gamma epochs, the occurrence of which also correlated positively with the magnitude of LTP. Voluntary running reduced the differences between female LCR and HCR rats. In conclusion, low innate fitness links to reduced hippocampal function and plasticity which can seems to improve with voluntary aerobic exercise even in middle age.

Keywords: physical fitness; brain; hippocampus; cognition; memory (cognition); performance (capacity); aerobic training; running; electrophysiology; health

Free keywords: long-term potentiation; electrophysiology; hippocampus; aerobic exercise capacity; voluntary running

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