Degenerative processes in the aging brain impair cognitive abilities. One of the underlying problems of the aging brain is neuronal hypo-activity and hypo-perfusion of the brain. A way to counteract these problems is to increase neuronal activation and cerebral blood flow behaviorally. Physical activity (exercise) is a way to achieve this. Enhanced physical activity can improve cognitive functioning in rodents as well as in humans. However, many aged subjects cannot perform physical exercise at the required level needed for cognitive improvements. In a series of experiments in mice we compare the beneficial effects of two forms of exercise: one active form based on running wheels and the other, more passive one based on so-called whole body vibration (WBV). We used a spatial Y-maze test for memory assessment. A 14-days running-wheel exercise protocol revealed enhanced memory acquisition and retention during learning and reversal learning in young mice (3 months of age). This exercise protocol also significantly increased the number of maturing neurons in the hippocampus, suggesting a positive relationship between the increase in neurogenesis and the positive effects on Y-maze performance. However, this exercise protocol cannot be used adequately for aged mice because of a dramatic aging-related decline in voluntary running-wheel activity. Therefore, we examined whether WBV can improve brain functioning. WBV stimulates the brain via controlled 30 Hz vibrations based on the technique used in human powerplates. Y-maze learning was significantly improved in both young (3 months of age) and aged (24 months of age) mice, but not Y-maze reversal learning. Results showed that WBV increased c-fos expression in a WBV-specific and brain regionspecific manner. Taken together, these findings indicate that WBV as a form of passive exercise is suitable for improving cognitive performance in young and old subjects and may serve as a therapy to reverse brain dysfunction due to aging.
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