ABSTRACT
Background: Transient global cerebral ischemia causes extensive neuronal damage in the brain and leads to a deficit in learning and memory. We designed the present study to investigate the effect of exercise preconditioning on learning and spatial memory following transient cerebral ischemia in rat
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300g were randomly allocated to different groups. Exercise was done by treadmill and, for inducing cerebral ischemia, both common carotid arteries were occluded for 10 minutes. Memory was evaluated using a step-through passive avoidance task. Sensory motor deficits were assessed by adhesive removal test. For evaluating slip ratio, we used ledged beam walking test
Results: One week after transient cerebral ischemia, response latency decreased in passive avoidance test. Also touch time, remove time, and slip ratio were increased in these animals. Exercise preconditioning improved the measured indices in ischemic rats
Conclusion: Exercise preconditioning improved deficits in learning and memory, as well as sensory-motor function, following transient cerebral ischemia