Physical Skill Training Increases the Number of Surviving New Cells in the Adult Hippocampus

Abstract

The dentate gyrus is a major site of plasticity in the adult brain, giving rise to thousands of new neurons every day, through the process of adult neurogenesis. Although the majority of these cells die within two weeks of their birth, they can be rescued from death by various forms of learning. Successful acquisition of select types of associative and spatial memories increases the number of these cells that survive. Here, we investigated the possibility that an entirely different form of learning, physical skill learning, could rescue new hippocampal cells from death. To test this possibility, rats were trained with a physically-demanding and technically-difficult version of a rotarod procedure. Acquisition of the physical skill greatly increased the number of new hippocampal cells that survived. The number of surviving cells positively correlated with performance on the task. Only animals that successfully mastered the task retained the cells that would have otherwise died. Animals that failed to learn, and those that did not learn well did not retain any more cells than those that were untrained. Importantly, acute voluntary exercise in activity wheels did not increase the number of surviving cells. These data suggest that acquisition of a physical skill can increase the number of surviving hippocampal cells. Moreover, learning an easier version of the task did not increase cell survival. These results are consistent with previous reports revealing that learning only rescues new neurons from death when acquisition is sufficiently difficult to achieve. Finally, complete hippocampal lesions did not disrupt acquisition of this physical skill. Therefore, physical skill training that does not depend on the hippocampus can effectively increase the number of surviving cells in the adult hippocampus, the vast majority of which become mature neurons.

Effect of Exercise Prior or After Ischemia on the Density of Neurons and Astrocytes in the Brain of Rats

“…Although the data of this study show a lower density of astrocytes in the hippocampus, the quantification of neurons showed that rats trained before cerebral ischemia showed a greater density of neurons compared with the sedentary group. These results can be supported by some studies that demonstrate the benefits of physical exercise in the rescue and recovery of neuronal death in the injured area (Altman and Das, 1965;Curlik and Shors, 2011;Curlik et al, 2013;Ploughman et al, 2007).…”

Mental and Physical (MAP) Training: A neurogenesis-inspired intervention that enhances health in humans

“…Learning a new physical skill can also increase the survival of new neurons in the hippocampus (Curlik et al, 2013; Figure 3). During one such task, a laboratory rodent learns to balance on a rod as it rotates faster and faster during one trial of training.…”

“…They learn to remain on the rod longer over trials of training (B). Those that are trained retain more newly-generated cells than those that are not trained (Curlik et al, 2013). Those that learn best retain more cells than those that do not learn well (D).…”

Efficacy of the selective progesterone receptor agonist Nestorone for chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

“…The positive effect on neurogenesis could be ascribed to forced rotarod running of the animals; then, further enhancement of neurogenesis of Nestorone-treated EAE mice could be due to their improved motor behavior. In this regard, long term exercise such as running, maintains brain function and hippocampus neurogenesis (Marlatt et al, 2012), while physical skills also increase the number of surviving cells in the dentate gyrus (Curlik et al, 2013).…”