Mild forced treadmill exercise enhances spatial learning in the aged rat

This study addresses whether or not mild, forced treadmill exercise improves learning and increases neurotrophin levels in the basal forebrain (BF). Neurotrophin deficits in the BF have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, and physical exercise increases neurotrophins. Aged rats exercised for 7 weeks found the hidden platform faster than controls (F(1, 10) = 14.6, p < 0.05), and swam shorter pathlergths (F(1, 10) = 12.6. p < 0.05), with no difference in swim speed. Neurotrophins did not differ. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.