Swimming exercise alleviates the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in spontaneous hypertensive rats

Abstract

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of swimming exercise on the symptoms of ADHD in correlation with the expression levels of dopamine and the dopamine D2 receptor. Adult male spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used as animal models of ADHD and Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as controls. The activity, impulsivity and levels of non-aggressive and aggressive behaviors in rats were measured. The short-term memory in the animal models of ADHD was assessed using an open-field test. The social interaction test, elevated plus maze test and step-through avoidance test were additionally performed. The expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which catalyzes the rate‑limiting step of dopamine synthesis, and the dopamine D2 receptor in the prefrontal cortex, substantia nigra and striatum were evaluated. The expression levels of TH and the dopamine D2 receptor were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively. In ADHD rats, the activity, impulsivity and levels of non-aggressive and aggressive behaviors were higher than that in control rats. By contrast, short-term memory in ADHD rats deteriorated. Swimming exercise suppressed hyperactivity, impulsivity and non-aggressive and aggressive behaviors, and alleviated the short-term memory impairment observed in ADHD rats. The expression levels of TH and the dopamine D2 receptor were decreased and increased in ADHD rats, respectively, when compared with control rats. Swimming exercise enhanced the expression of TH and suppressed the expression of the dopamine D2 receptor in ADHD rats. In the present study, swimming exercise improved the symptoms of ADHD by upregulating the expression of dopamine and downregulating the expression of the dopamine D2 receptor.

Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy for Treating Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…32,33 In an animal study, Ko et al reported that swimming exercise improves ADHD symptoms by upregulating dopamine expression and downregulating dopamine D2 receptor expression. 34 Tantillo et al suggested that physical exercise acts as a dopaminergic adjuvant in the treatment of behavioral disturbances in patients with ADHD. 35 In this context, Kang et al demonstrated a positive correlation between physical exercise and improved attention and cognitive symptoms.…”

Dexmedetomidine Ameliorates Sleep Deprivation-Induced Depressive Behaviors in Mice

“…As the method described previously [ 20 , 23 ], we performed immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of 5-HT, TPH, and TH. The tissue sections were treated with mouse anti-TH, mouse anti-TPH, and rabbit anti-5-HT antibody (1:1,000; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA) during overnight.…”

“…As the method described previously [ 20 , 23 ], Western blotting was conducted to evaluated D1 dopamine receptor expression in the PFC, striatum, and SN. After dissecting PFC, striatum, and SN, these tissues were collected.…”

Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung im Erwachsenenalter

“…Sport soll ebenfalls einen positiven Einfluss auf die ADHS-Symptomatik haben. Im Tiermodell mit hyperaktiven Ratten führte körperliche Aktivität zu einer verminderten Hyperaktivität, Impulsivität und einer geringeren Aggressivität der Tiere (38). Bei einer Untersuchung von Erwachsenen mit ADHS konnte außerdem gezeigt werden, dass Sport zu einem Rückgang von Impulsivität, intrusiven Gedanken sowie Sorgen führt (39).…”