The role of mild treadmill exercise on spatial learning and memory and motor activity in animal models of ibotenic acid-induced striatum lesion

Abstract

The basal ganglia have long been implicated in motor and cognitive function. Previous research has shown that regular forced treadmill running improves cognitive performance especially learning and memory. In this study, we examined the role of mild forced treadmill exercise on spatial learning and memory, and motor activity. 56 male Wistar rats were randomly split into seven groups. Animals received ibotenic acid infusions into striatum bilaterally. Spatial learning and memory for all rats were evaluated by Morris water maze test. On the following day, visible and probe tests were performed for all groups. Motor activity of rats was assessed by open-field apparatus. Our results showed that animals with striatal lesion were much slower at finding the platform. Mild treadmill exercise during training could decrease the distance traveled to find the hidden platform. While exercise has shown to improve learning/memory, it has not been able to completely treat the impairment caused by ibotenic acid injection into the striatum. Results of open-field test were congruent with the Morris water maze test, with exercise animals displaying higher levels of motor activity. The present results suggest that striatum has a critical role in spatial learning and memory. However, mild treadmill exercise could not improve impaired spatial learning and memory in rats with striatum lesion.