Dendrite Length and Branch Point Determination

Title:

Exercise enhances learning and hippocampal neurogenesis in aged mice.

Researchers:

Henriette van Praag, Tiffany Shubert, Chunmei Zhao and Fred H. Gage

Method:

An exercise wheel was provided to young and old mice. Learning was assessed by performance in the Morris water maze and hippocampal neurogenesis was calculated by BrdU injection. Angiogenisis was measured by using Stereo Investigator to quantitate blood vessels. In addition, Neurolucida was used to assess spine density, dendritic length and branch points in new hippocampal neurons.

Results:

Voluntary exercise in young mice can increase the perimeter and surface area of blood vessels within the hippocampus. Active aged mice show a 50% reduction in the normal decline in hippocampal neurogenesis as compared to young control and adult sedentary levels. Further, aged runners learned faster than age-matched controls on the Morris water maze. No difference between neuron structure of young and old runners indicates that neurons produced in old mice are similar to those produced in young mice.

Reference:

van Pragg, H., Shubert, T., Zhao, C. and Gage, F.H. (2004) Exercise enhances Learning and Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Aged Mice. J. Neurosci 25(38):8680.