Running is the neurogenic and neurotrophic stimulus in environmental enrichment
- Tali Kobilo1,
- Qing-Rong Liu2,
- Kriti Gandhi1,
- Mohammed Mughal3,
- Yavin Shaham2 and
- Henriette van Praag1,4
- 1Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
- 2Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
- 3Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) increases dentate gyrus (DG) neurogenesis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. However, running is considered an element of EE. To dissociate effects of physical activity and enrichment on hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF levels, young female C57Bl/6 mice were housed under control, running, enrichment, or enrichment plus running conditions, and injected with bromodeoxyuridine. Cell genesis was assessed after 12 d and differentiation was analyzed 1 mo later. In addition, locomotor activity in the open field and hippocampal mature BDNF peptide levels were measured. Open-field adaptation was improved in all groups, compared to controls, but more so with running. New cell proliferation, survival, neuron number, and neurotrophin levels were enhanced only when running was accessible. We conclude that exercise is the critical factor mediating increased BDNF levels and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
Footnotes
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↵4 Corresponding author.
E-mail vanpraagh{at}mail.nih.gov.
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[Supplemental material is available for this article.]
- Received May 18, 2011.
- Accepted July 18, 2011.
