Revisiting the effects of exercise on cerebral neurovascular functions in rats using multimodal assessment techniques
Shaoyu Yen,
Hong-Yi Wu,
Yuhling Wang,
Chih-Mao Huang,
Changwei W. Wu,
Jyh-Horng Chen,
Lun-De Liao
Affiliations
Shaoyu Yen
Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
Hong-Yi Wu
Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Da’an District, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
Yuhling Wang
Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
Chih-Mao Huang
Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
Changwei W. Wu
Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, 12F., No. 172-1, Sec. 2, Keelung Road, Da’an District, Taipei 106052, Taiwan; Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, 11F., No. 291, Zhongzheng Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei 235603, Taiwan
Jyh-Horng Chen
Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Da’an District, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
Lun-De Liao
Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan; Corresponding author
Summary: Physical activity in the form of aerobic exercise has many beneficial effects on brain function. Here, we aim to revisit the effects of exercise on brain morphology and neurovascular organization using a rat running model. Electrocorticography (ECoG) was integrated with laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and applied to simultaneously detect CSD propagation and the corresponding neurovascular function. In addition, blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) signal in fMRI was used to observe cerebral utilization of oxygen. Results showed significant decrease in somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and deceleration of CSD propagation in the EXE group. Western blot results in the EXE group showed significant increases in BDNF, GFAP, and NeuN levels and significant decreases in neurodegenerative disease markers. Decreases in SSEP and CSD parameters may result from exercise-induced increases in cerebrovascular system function and increases in the stability and buffering of extracellular ion concentrations and cortical excitability.
