By Michael Afful, William Burkey, Aidan Kimener

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters

Abstract

Memory is a fundamental cognitive function that is crucial for adapting to an environment. Many modes of exercise, including aerobic and anaerobic activity, can increase memory function by modulating multiple physiological systems. Our study examines the effect of different levels of voluntary aerobic exercise on memory performance and hippocampal BDNF, a protein that influences memory, in mice. We kept mice in cages with unlimited, limited, or no access to wheel running for 50 days, and then tested their memory on the Lashley Maze, which measures spatial learning. We dissected the hippocampus and measured levels of BDNF, which promotes neuron growth and synapse formation. Our results indicate that unlimited access to exercise increases memory and hippocampal BDNF, while limited access to exercise decreases memory and hippocampal BDNF. These results suggest that while exercise increases hippocampal BDNF and memory, the possible stress of competing for access to a wheel may counteract and even reverse these effects.