The Reduction of Seizure Intensity and Attenuation of Memory Deficiency and Anxiety-Like Behavior through Aerobic Exercise by Increasing the BDNF in Mice with Chronic Epilepsy

Abstract

Epilepsy is a disease characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures. Cognitive deficiency and anxiety are important comorbidities of the chronic epilepsy. Studies on epilepsy using human and animal models have shown that aerobic exercise (AX) induces beneficial structural and functional changes and reduce the intensity of seizures. The present study seeks to evaluate effects of an AX program on the intensity of seizures, cognitive function and anxiety-like behavior and expression of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in mice with epilepsy. The intensity of seizures was recorded 30 min following pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection, and cognitive function and anxiety-like behavior were assessed through novel object recognition task (NORT) and light–dark box test, respectively. Using ELISA, the effects of AX program on the serum BDNF level of epileptic mice was further determined. Mice with epilepsy subjected to AX showed a reduction in the intensity of seizures compared to non-exercised epileptic mice. Memory deficits and increased anxiety-like behavior were attenuated by AX which also restored the Serum BDNF level, reduced in epileptic mice, to control levels. In conclusion, AX reduces seizure intensity and mitigates memory deficits and increased anxiety-like behavior in mice with epilepsy. These AX induced beneficial effects can be ascribed to the changes in BDNF level. Finally, AX might be as a complementary therapeutic strategy for treating epilepsy.