Pena, Gabriel S.

Relationships
Member of: Graduate College
Person Preferred Name
Pena, Gabriel S.
Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic and
resistance training on BDNF and IGF-I expression in a 3xTg-AD mouse model of
Alzheimer’s disease. Twenty-four 3xTg-AD mice were randomly assigned to either an
aerobic (AT, n=8), resistance (RT, n=8), or control (CNT, n=8) group. Intervention
groups underwent 9 weeks of exercise training. Motor behavior and grip strength were
measured pre- and post- intervention. Our results showed a significant increase in
hippocampal BDNF expression in AT mice after a 9-week intervention. Further, AT mice
were found to have higher concentrations of IGF-I, and improved motor behavior when
compared to RT and CNT. No significant differences were observed in IGF-I
concentration between RT and other groups. RT improved grip strength after nine weeks
of training. These findings support the use of AT and RT as a tool to improve
comorbidities found in Alzheimer’s disease.