Local Memory Research Articles

Oral history methods can reveal drivers of landscape transformation: Understanding land‐use legacies with local and traditional knowledge in Central Europe

Abstract Ecosystems and landscapes shaped by the intricate relationship between people and their natural environment embody the impact of many different past land‐use practices and historical events. However, in some regions, classical historical records of landscape change do not exist or are insufficiently detailed. Local communities' ecological memory can play an important role in filling this gap by reconstructing the socio‐ecologically relevant indirect drivers and their interactions, as well as identifying vegetation characteristics that are legacies of previous land‐use practices. We studied a rapidly transforming cultural landscape in Transylvania (Romania) by conducting 144 oral history interviews covering the last 70 years (before, during and after collective farming). The interviews revealed complex interactions of indirect drivers. Country‐scale political and economic changes affected the landscape with crop outflow during the collective system (1962–1989), resulting in labour outflow to cities from the 1960s. The latter reduced the time and attention devoted to haymaking and affected population ageing. Together with other drivers, this demographic change led to a major transformation of the traditional landscape by the 2010s. We identified 47 vegetation characteristics as land‐use legacies related to grasslands and classified them into general legacy types. Our results support that there was an opportunity to innovatively revive the traditional cultural landscape after the fall of communism, when local knowledge, and willingness to manage the landscape were still present, but financial assets and government support were lacking. The indirect driver interactions led to the abandonment of traditional hay meadow management, resulting in a homogenising landscape with simplified land use dominated by sheep grazing and increasingly dependent on agricultural subsidies. We found that many vegetation characteristics of the studied species‐rich grasslands are only legacies of former land‐use activities, still known by locals but no longer applied. By creating knowledge partnerships, we can still learn about the past management and the functioning of such biodiversity‐rich cultural landscapes from the people who actively maintained them. We argue that this type of knowledge is essential to revive and adapt practices for protecting and managing species‐rich habitats across European cultural landscapes and for supporting the planning of appropriate conservation management and subsidy schemes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The hippocampal CA2 region discriminates social threat from social safety.

The dorsal cornu ammonis 2 (dCA2) region of the hippocampus enables the discrimination of novel from familiar conspecifics. However, the neural bases for more complex social-spatial episodic memories are unknown. Here we report that the spatial and social contents of an aversive social experience require distinct hippocampal regions. While dorsal CA1 (dCA1) pyramidal neurons mediate the memory of an aversive location, dCA2 pyramidal neurons enable the discrimination of threat-associated (CS+) from safety-associated (CS-) conspecifics in both female and male mice. Silencing dCA2 during encoding or recall trials disrupted social fear discrimination memory, resulting in fear responses toward both the CS+ and CS- mice. Calcium imaging revealed that the aversive experience strengthened and stabilized dCA2 representations of both the CS+ and CS- mice, with the incorporation of an abstract representation of social valence into representations of social identity. Thus, dCA2 contributes to both social novelty detection and the adaptive discrimination of threat-associated from safety-associated individuals during an aversive social episodic experience.

Cultural Streetscape: Its Value-System, Space and Significance in Oyo Town, Nigeria

Cultural streetscape is a remarkable street scene that embodies the local culture. It helps in defining and defending urban forms, improves the physical, economic, and socio-cultural mechanisms of urban streets, provides street views for buildings, and shares communal activities and identities. Streetscape is a significant and multi-dynamic component of urban design that contributes to the success of cities and towns. However, as a result of constant urbanization and neglect, African streets that were previously sites of different cultural expressions and local beliefs are quickly turning into areas devoid of local values and meaning. More so, the significance of a cultural streetscape that facilitates ingenious street views, solves ecological challenges, and retains the local memory of places is becoming scarce in the literature. Through an in-depth interview, analysis of pertinent academic outputs, and firsthand observation of the core residential areas of Oyo town, this study revealed the value and significance of cultural streetscape in building, shaping, preserving and sustaining local place identity. Proper archiving and infusion of cultural streetscape elements into the old and new streets design are necessary to ensure Yoruba place identity does not completely become void.

Minocycline prevents early age-related cognitive decline in a mouse model of intellectual disability caused by ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency

Haploinsufficiency of the transcriptional repressor ZBTB18/RP58 is associated with intellectual disability. However, the mechanisms causing this disability are unknown, and preventative measures and treatments are not available. Here, we assessed multiple behaviors in Zbtb18/Rp58 heterozygous-knockout mice, and examined local field potentials, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial morphology, and performed histochemical and transcriptome analyses in the hippocampus to evaluate chronic inflammation. In wild-type mice, object location memory was present at a similar level at 2 and 4–5 months of age, and became impaired at 12–18 months. In contrast, Zbtb18/Rp58 heterozygous-knockout mice displayed early onset impairments in object location memory by 4–5 months of age. These mice also exhibited earlier accumulation of DNA and mitochondrial damage, and activated microglia in the dentate gyrus, which are associated with defective DNA repair. Notably, chronic minocycline therapy, which has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, attenuated age-related phenotypes, including accumulation of DNA damage, increased microglial activation, and impairment of object location memory. Our results suggest that Zbtb18/Rp58 activity is required for DNA repair and its reduction results in DNA and mitochondrial damage, increased activation of microglia, and inflammation, leading to accelerated declines in cognitive functions. Minocycline has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency-associated cognitive dysfunction.

Crucial role of Snf7-3 in synaptic function and cognitive behavior revealed by conventional and conditional knockout mouse models

Snf7-3 is a crucial component of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway, playing a vital role in endolysosomal functions. To elucidate the role of Snf7-3 in vivo, we developed conventional-like and conditional Snf7-3 knockout (KO) mouse models using a “Knockout-first” strategy. Conventional-like Snf7-3 KO mice showed significantly reduced Snf7-3 mRNA expression, and older mice (25–40 weeks) exhibited impaired social recognition and increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Similarly, conditional KO mice aged 8–24 weeks, with Snf7-3 specifically deleted in forebrain excitatory neurons, displayed impaired object location memory and elevated mEPSC frequency. Consistently, Snf7-3 knockdown in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons led to increased densities of pre- and postsynaptic puncta, supporting the observed increase in mEPSC frequency. In addition, enhanced dendritic complexity was observed in the medial prefrontal cortex of these mice, indicating early synaptic disturbances. Our findings underscore the critical role of Snf7-3 in maintaining normal cognitive functions and social behaviors. The observed synaptic and behavioral deficits in both conventional-like and conditional KO mice highlight the importance of Snf7-3 in specific neuronal populations, suggesting that early synaptic changes could precede more pronounced cognitive impairments.

The Eye and Nose Identification Chip Controller-Based on Robot Vision Using Weightless Neural Network Method

Increasingly advanced image analysis in computer vision, allowing computers to interpret, identify, and analyze pictures with accuracy comparable to humans. The availability of data sources in decimal, hexadecimal, or binary forms enables researchers to take the initiative in applying their study findings. Decimal formats are typically used on traditional computers like desktops and minicomputers, whereas hexadecimal and binary formats were utilized on single-chip controllers. Weightless Neural Network is a method that can be implemented in a single chip controller. The aim of this research is to develop a facial recognition system, for eye and mouth identification, that works in a single chip controller or also called a microcontroller. The suggested method is a Weightless Neural Network with Immediate Scan approach for processing and identifying eye and nose patterns. The data will be handled in many memory locations that are specifically designed to handle massive volumes of data. The data is made up of primary face data sheets and face input data. The data sets utilized are (x,y) pixels, and frame sizes range from 90x90 pixels to 110x110 pixels. Each face shot will be processed by selecting the region of the eyes and nose and saving it as an image file. The eye and nose will identify the face frame. Next, the photos will be converted to binary format. A magazine matrix will be used to transmit binary data from a minicomputer to a microcontroller via serial connection. Based on a known pattern, the resultant similarity accuracy is 83,08% for the eye and 84,09% for the sternum. In contrast, the similarity percentage for an eye ranges from 70% to 85% for an undefined pattern.

Natural- and redirected walking in virtual reality: Spatial performance and user experience

AbstractImmersive virtual reality offers a range of unique possibilities. One of these is the realistic exploration of virtual worlds using natural walking. This however becomes difficult when the size of the virtual world exceeds that of the available physical space. Redirected walking in virtual reality presents a novel solution to this problem by typically making its users think to be walking in a straight line while they are in fact walking in a curve, thus allowing them to physically walk long distances in confined physical spaces. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of redirected walking on variables such as spatial memory, navigation and user experience as compared to other immersive and non-immersive locomotion methods. In a maze task we examined 1) redirected- and 2) natural walking in immersive virtual reality conditions, and 3) artificial locomotion on a non-immersive desktop monitor. Walked path lengths became shorter and distance estimates, object location memory and user experience improved using natural walking compared to a monitor condition. However, redirected walking yielded similar performance to natural walking while requiring less physical space, opening up possibilities for more pervasive use of real locomotion in virtual environments.

Optimising Emergency Care for Older Adults: A Case Study of the EDITH Service Following a Proximal Humerus Fracture

Abstract Background The Emergency Department in the Home (EDITH) service offers emergency Occupational Therapy and medical assessments to older adults at home, thus negating the need for hospital attendances. Mr X, an 86-year-old with vascular dementia and hypertension, sustained a left proximal humerus fracture from a fall. Following assessment in the ED, Mr X was deemed fit for discharge and was referred to EDITH for an acute functional assessment and clinical review. Methods Within 72 hours of discharge, Mr X was visited at home by an Occupational Therapist (OT) and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP). The OT conducted a home environment assessment, falls-risk screening, delirium screening, reviewed social supports, and performed a functional assessment. Education on one-handed dressing techniques and falls prevention was provided. The ANP conducted a clinical review, and reviewed Mr X’s medication and analgesia. Mr X had the support of his wife to assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), functional mobility and medication management. Mr X’s son purchased assistive equipment recommended by the OT, to enhance home safety. Referrals were made to the local memory support service, a Physiotherapist, and his Public Health Nurse to organise formal care supports. Results Mr X remained at home with support from his wife, primary care services, and virtual EDITH follow-up. Mr X had a scheduled review at the fracture clinic following his ED attendance. Conclusion Emergency care practitioners play a crucial role in addressing acute functional and clinical changes in older adults attending the ED. Supported ED discharges and service integration during the acute phase can prevent hospital admissions. Collaboration between emergency medicine and primary care is essential for addressing acute medical needs and long-term functional outcomes. With adequate social support and timely services, older adults can recover successfully at home.

Outcomes of Dementia Pathway Referrals Post Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment by a Community Specialist Team for Older Persons

Abstract Background The Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland (2023) outlines targets and recommendations for a Dementia service. A Dementia pathway was developed from a Community Specialist Team (CST) for Older Persons service to a local Memory Clinic service and this was evaluated with reference to the model of care. Methods All adults aged ≥70 years, who received a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) by a CST in 2022, and were referred to a Memory Clinic service, were included. Data including dates of referral and Memory Clinic attendance, age, gender, Clinical Frailty Scale score (CFS) and diagnosis were entered into Excel. These were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Seventy-nine patients were referred to the Memory Clinic. Twenty-eight (35.5%) attended, with 51 (64.5%) non-attendances. Twenty-seven (34%) cancelled, 13 (16.5%) did not attend, 7 (9%) died before receiving an appointment, and 4 (5%) appointments were deferred at patient request. The mean age of patients referred was 82.39 years (SD=6.876). The male to female ratio of attendees was 1:1.3 and non-attendees was 1:1.9. The median CFS score of both attendees and non-attended was 5 (range 3-7). Eight (21%) of those who did not attend had moved to long term care, representing 10% of total referrals. The median waiting time for attendees was 10.5 months (Range 2-21). Thirteen (46%) patients received a diagnosis of Dementia, 3 (11%) Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), 2 (7%) Acquired Brain Injury and 10 (36%) received no memory diagnosis. Conclusion This Dementia pathway does not meet target 14 of the Model of Care. The waiting times exceed 6 weeks, resulting in missed opportunities to provide supports. Timely access to the pathway and supports to attend may increase attendance. A dedicated Memory Assessment and Support Service will address this deficit.

The Development of the Mental Timeline is Related to Temporal Memory

ABSTRACT Although we cannot see or touch time, across many cultures, we use spatial representations to think about this abstract concept. Spatial representations of time are thought to support temporal concepts that might otherwise be difficult to represent and reason about, such as the temporal component of episodic memory. One common form of spatially representing time is the mental timeline, which is a linear projection of time onto space. Adults and older children from many cultures spontaneously activate the mental timeline when remembering the order of events. However, the mental timeline develops slowly throughout early childhood as children gain increasing experience with formal schooling and cultural artifacts. Here, we explored how individual differences in the development of American children’s mental timelines relate to their memory for temporal order (N = 96, M age = 6.22 years). We first tested children’s memory for the order and location of events through a memory task involving short videos. We then tested children’s spontaneous spatial representations of temporal order using an open-ended timeline construction task. The linearity of children’s timeline arrangements predicted their memory for temporal order but not memory for locations: children who spontaneously represented time linearly had significantly better temporal memory performance than children who represented time nonlinearly, but there was no difference in location memory performance. These data provide preliminary evidence that the development of the mental timeline may support the development of temporal memory.

Идеология, топонимия, политика памяти: история переименований в странах Балтии

The article presents an analysis of the toponymy of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in historical retrospect and the relationship with local memory politics. The practice of changing geographical names was carried out and continues to be carried out in line with the Baltic historical policy and such fundamental components as ethnocentrism, the fight against the consequences of “Soviet occupation” and decommunization. At the same time, toponymy was transformed most uniformly and consistently in Estonia and Latvia, due to similar historical development. The dynamics of changes in Lithuanian geographical objects are more specific due to the experience of their own statehood in the person of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as well as changes in borders in 1939.

Racialized and Geopolitically Charged Contexts of Reception in New Immigrant Destinations

We conceptualize racialized and geopolitical contexts of reception as a comprehensive framework for understanding the incorporation of recent immigrants in new destinations. Racialization is the fluid assignment of racial meanings to physical characteristics, religion, cultural presentation, and language. Geopolitics encompasses national boundaries, border security, regulation of border crossers, and populist–nativist anxieties about identity. We use data derived from a documentary film depicting the 2001 contact between Somali immigrants and a host community in Maine. The reception of these immigrants was profoundly racialized due to their sudden arrival and stark differences in phenotypic, cultural, religious, and linguistic characteristics, all of which were racialized by the host community. The context was geopolitically charged by local memories of the US intervention in Somalia and by the aftermath of 9/11. This study underscores the importance of racialization and geopolitics as intertwined factors that significantly shape immigrant contexts of reception.

Spatial memory obviates following behaviour in an information centre of wild fruit bats.

According to the information centre hypothesis (ICH), colonial species use social information in roosts to locate ephemeral resources. Validating the ICH necessitates showing that uninformed individuals follow informed ones to the new resource. However, following behaviour may not be essential when individuals have a good memory of the resources' locations. For instance, Egyptian fruit bats forage on spatially predictable trees, but some bear fruit at unpredictable times. These circumstances suggest an alternative ICH pathway in which bats learn when fruits emerge from social cues in the roost but then use spatial memory to locate them without following conspecifics. Here, using an unique field manipulation and high-frequency tracking data, we test for this alternative pathway: we introduced bats smeared with the fruit odour of the unpredictably fruiting Ficus sycomorus trees to the roost, when they bore no fruits, and then tracked the movement of conspecifics exposed to the manipulated social cue. As predicted, bats visited the F. sycomorus trees with significantly higher probabilities than during routine foraging trips (of >200 bats). Our results show how the integration of spatial memory and social cues leads to efficient resource tracking and highlight the value of using large movement datasets and field experiments in behavioural ecology. This article is part of the theme issue 'The spatial-social interface: a theoretical and empirical integration'.

Knowing where to go: Spatial memory guides eye and body movements in a naturalistic visual search task.

Most research on visual search has used simple tasks presented on a computer screen. However, in natural situations visual search almost always involves eye, head, and body movements in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. The different constraints imposed by these two types of search tasks might explain some of the discrepancies in our understanding concerning the use of memory resources and the role of contextual objects during search. To explore this issue, we analyzed a visual search task performed in an immersive virtual reality apartment. Participants searched for a series of geometric 3D objects while eye movements and head coordinates were recorded. Participants explored the apartment to locate target objects whose location and visibility were manipulated. For objects with reliable locations, we found that repeated searches led to a decrease in search time and number of fixations and to a reduction of errors. Searching for those objects that had been visible in previous trials but were only tested at the end of the experiment was also easier than finding objects for the first time, indicating incidental learning of context. More importantly, we found that body movements showed changes that reflected memory for target location: trajectories were shorter and movement velocities were higher, but only for those objects that had been searched for multiple times. We conclude that memory of 3D space and target location is a critical component of visual search and also modifies movement kinematics. In natural search, memory is used to optimize movement control and reduce energetic costs.

A revered place in the rural landscape: Whose heritage? On the history of the holy spring in Altai

The article examines the problems of the relationship between rural local communities and local landscape shrines. Drawing on fieldwork data, archival materials, local periodicals, and writings of Siberian Old Believers, I attempt to reconstruct the historical past of the Holy Spring, one of the most revered places in the Altai region, which bears the characteristics of both the cult and memorial place. I inquire into the conditions leading to transformations in the historical memory that is embodied in revered places and expound the methodology for studying such loci as functional zones of cultural landscapes, locations of memory, and objects of cultural heritage. I further specifically address the interesting case of overlapping vernacular practices of venerating holy places and collective memory of local events during the Civil War. Finally, I examine the most significant stages in the history of the revered place, as well as the reasons for its “reinvention” at the present time.

FDA-approved cannabidiol [Epidiolex®] alleviates Gulf War Illness-linked cognitive and mood dysfunction, hyperalgesia, neuroinflammatory signaling, and declined neurogenesis

BackgroundChronic Gulf War Illness (GWI) is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments, as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cannabidiol (CBD), in improving brain function in a rat model of chronic GWI.MethodsSix months after exposure to low doses of GWI-related chemicals [pyridostigmine bromide, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), and permethrin (PER)] along with moderate stress, rats with chronic GWI were administered either vehicle (VEH) or CBD (20 mg/kg, oral) for 16 weeks. Neurobehavioral tests were conducted on 11 weeks after treatment initiation to evaluate the performance of rats in tasks related to associative recognition memory, object location memory, pattern separation, and sucrose preference. The effect of CBD on hyperalgesia was also examined. The brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemical and molecular studies following behavioral tests.ResultsGWI rats treated with VEH exhibited impairments in all cognitive tasks and anhedonia, whereas CBD-treated GWI rats showed improvements in all cognitive tasks and no anhedonia. Additionally, CBD treatment alleviated hyperalgesia in GWI rats. Analysis of hippocampal tissues from VEH-treated rats revealed astrocyte hypertrophy and increased percentages of activated microglia presenting NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) complexes as well as elevated levels of proteins involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. Furthermore, there were increased concentrations of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers along with decreased neurogenesis. In contrast, the hippocampus from CBD-treated GWI rats displayed reduced levels of proteins mediating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and JAK/STAT signaling, normalized concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, and improved neurogenesis. Notably, CBD treatment did not alter the concentration of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in the hippocampus.ConclusionsThe use of an FDA-approved CBD (Epidiolex®) has been shown to effectively alleviate cognitive and mood impairments as well as hyperalgesia associated with chronic GWI. Importantly, the improvements observed in rats with chronic GWI in this study were attributed to the ability of CBD to significantly suppress signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic neuroinflammation.

Differential role of NMDA receptors in hippocampal-dependent spatial memory and plasticity in juvenile male and female rats.

Early life, or juvenility, stands out as the most pivotal phase in neurodevelopment due to its profound impact over the long-term cognition. During this period, significant changes are made in the brain's connections both within and between different areas, particularly in tandem with the development of more intricate behaviors. The hippocampus is among the brain regions that undergo significant postnatal remodeling, including dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, the formation of complex spines and neuron proliferation. Given the crucial role of the hippocampus in spatial memory processing, it has been observed that spatial memory abilities continue to develop as the hippocampus matures, particularly before puberty. The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptor channel is crucial for the induction of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and spatial memory formation in both rodents and humans. Although extensive evidence shows the role of NMDA receptors (NMDAr) in spatial memory and synaptic plasticity, the studies addressing the role of NMDAr in spatial memory of juveniles are sparse and mostly limited to adult males. In the present study, we, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of systemic NMDAr blockade by the MK-801 on spatial memory (novel object location memory, OLM) and hippocampal plasticity in the form of long-term potentiation (LTP) of both male and female juvenile rats. Our results show the sex-dimorphic role of NMDAr in spatial memory and plasticity during juvenility, as systemic NMDAr blockade impairs the OLM and LTP in juvenile males without an effect on juvenile females. Taken together, our results demonstrate that spatial memory and hippocampal plasticity are NMDAr-dependent in juvenile males and NMDAr-independent in juvenile females. These sex-specific differences in the mechanisms of spatial memory and plasticity may imply gender-specific treatment for spatial memory disorders even in children.

Fast Loosely-Timed Deep Neural Network Models with Accurate Memory Contention

The emergence of data-intensive applications, such as Deep Neural Networks (DNN), exacerbates the well-known memory bottleneck in computer systems and demands early attention in the design flow. Electronic System-Level (ESL) design using SystemC Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) enables effective performance estimation, design space exploration (DSE), and gradual refinement. However, memory contention is often only detectable after detailed TLM-2.0 approximately-timed or cycle-accurate RTL models are developed. A memory bottleneck detected at such a late stage can severely limit the available design choices or even require costly redesign. In this work, we propose a novel TLM-2.0 loosely-timed contention-aware (LT-CA) modeling style that offers high-speed simulation close to traditional loosely-timed (LT) models, yet shows the same accuracy for memory contention as low-level approximately-timed (AT) models. Thus, our proposed LT-CA modeling breaks the speed/accuracy tradeoff between regular LT and AT models and offers fast and accurate observation and visualization of memory contention. Our extensible SystemC model generator automatically produces desired TLM-1 and TLM-2.0 models from a DNN architecture description for design space exploration focusing on memory contention. We demonstrate our approach with a real-world industry-strength DNN application, GoogLeNet. The experimental results show that the proposed LT-CA modeling is 46× faster in simulation than equivalent AT models with an average error of less than 1% in simulated time. Early detection of memory contentions also suggests that local memories close to computing cores can eliminate memory contention in such applications.

Forensic analysis of web browsers lifecycle: A case study

The widespread integration of the internet into daily life across sectors such as healthcare, education, business, and entertainment has led to an increasing dependence on web applications. However, inherent technological vulnerabilities attract cybercriminals, necessitating robust security measures. While these security measures, including frequent updates/fixes to applications and operating systems, are essential, they also complicate forensic investigations. This research proposes a comprehensive approach to artifact identification and collection for examining browsing activities of Firefox, Chrome, and Edge on Windows 11. The methodology includes setting up and analyzing all stages of browser usage, such as installations, executions, uninstallations, and anomalous behaviors like crashes and restarts. Simulated cyber-criminal activities are used to collect artifacts at each stage, which are then analyzed using Windows 11 components such as the registry, memory, storage, and log locations. Experimental results reveal vulnerabilities, such as crashes, that can lead to the loss of sensitive information. This methodology provides a promising foundation for advancing browser forensic analysis and enhancing cybercrime investigations.

The weekend warrior effect: Consistent intermittent exercise induces persistent cognitive benefits

Exercise provides a range of cognitive benefits, including improved memory performance. Previously, we demonstrated that 14 days of continuous voluntary wheel-running exercise enables learning in a hippocampus-dependent Object Location Memory (OLM) task under insufficient, subthreshold training conditions in adult mice. Whether similar exercise benefits can be obtained from consistent intermittent exercise as continuous exercise is unknown. Here, we examine whether intermittent exercise (the weekend warrior effect: 2 days of exercise a week for 7 weeks) displays similar or distinct cognitive benefits as previously examined with 14 days of continuous exercise. We find that both continuous and intermittent exercise parameters similarly enable hippocampus-dependent OLM compared to the 2-day exercise control group. Mice receiving intermittent exercise maintained cognitive benefits following a 7-day sedentary delay, whereas mice that underwent 14 continuous days of exercise showed diminished cognitive benefits as previously reported. Further, compared to continuous exercise, intermittent exercise mice exhibited persistently elevated levels of the genes Acvr1c and Bdnf which we know to be critically involved in hippocampus-dependent long-term memory in the dorsal hippocampus. Together findings suggest that consistent intermittent exercise persistently enables hippocampal-dependent long-term memory. Understanding the optimal parameters for persistent cognitive function and the mechanisms mediating persistent effects will aid in therapeutic pursuits investigating the mitigation of cognitive ailments.