Exercise on Visuo-Spatial Memory: Direct Effects and Underlying Mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-179
Author(s):  
Liye Zou ◽  
Qian Yu ◽  
Shijie Liu ◽  
Paul D. Loprinzi

Objective: There is suggestive evidence that exercise may have a greater effect on visuo-spatial memory, compared to other memory types. However, we have a limited understanding as to the mechanisms through which exercise may subserve visuo-spatial memory. Thus, the purpose of this review is to evaluate the extent to which exercise may influence visuo-spatial memory, whether exercise can attenuate drug- and diseased-induced declines in memory, and determine the underlying mechanisms of these relationships. Methods: We employed a systematic review approach. We identified studies using electronic databases, including PubMed, PsychInfo, Sports Discus and Google Scholar. Results: In total, we identified 32 articles. Among these, 2 were among humans and 30 were conducted in animal models. There was strong evidence sup- porting the facilitative role of chronic exercise in visuo-spatial memory improvements, as well as attenuation of drug- and diseased-induced memory decline. There are various mechanisms through which chronic exercise may influence visuo-spatial memory, including increased neuro-genesis, angiogenesis, improved neural efficiency, CB1 receptor signaling, activation of H2 receptors, and increased number of synaptic structures (eg, AMPA and NMDA receptors). Conclusion: Exercise may help to enhance visuo-spatial memory.

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 218-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertram Gawronski ◽  
Roland Deutsch ◽  
Etienne P. LeBel ◽  
Kurt R. Peters

Over the last decade, implicit measures of mental associations (e.g., Implicit Association Test, sequential priming) have become increasingly popular in many areas of psychological research. Even though successful applications provide preliminary support for the validity of these measures, their underlying mechanisms are still controversial. The present article addresses the role of a particular mechanism that is hypothesized to mediate the influence of activated associations on task performance in many implicit measures: response interference (RI). Based on a review of relevant evidence, we argue that RI effects in implicit measures depend on participants’ attention to association-relevant stimulus features, which in turn can influence the reliability and the construct validity of these measures. Drawing on a moderated-mediation model (MMM) of task performance in RI paradigms, we provide several suggestions on how to address these problems in research using implicit measures.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsbeth D. Asbeek Brusse ◽  
Marieke L. Fransen ◽  
Edith G. Smit

Abstract. This study examined the effects of disclosure messages in entertainment-education (E-E) on attitudes toward hearing protection and attitude toward the source. In addition, the (mediating) role of the underlying mechanisms (i.e., transportation, identification, and counterarguing) was studied. In an experiment (N = 336), three different disclosure messages were compared with a no-disclosure condition. The results show that more explicit disclosure messages negatively affect transportation and identification and stimulate the generation of counterarguments. In addition, the more explicit disclosure messages affect both attitude measures via two of these processes (i.e., transportation and counterarguing). Less explicit disclosure messages do not have this effect. Implications of the findings are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 955-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung Sang Cho ◽  
Jang Ho Lee ◽  
Jeiwon Cho ◽  
Guang-Ho Cha ◽  
Gyun Jee Song

Background: Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders. Therefore, various studies have focused on the development of neuroinflammation inhibitors as potential therapeutic tools. Recently, the involvement of autophagy in the regulation of neuroinflammation has drawn substantial scientific interest, and a growing number of studies support the role of impaired autophagy in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: The purpose of this article is to review recent research on the role of autophagy in controlling neuroinflammation. We focus on studies employing both mammalian cells and animal models to evaluate the ability of different autophagic modulators to regulate neuroinflammation. Methods: We have mostly reviewed recent studies reporting anti-neuroinflammatory properties of autophagy. We also briefly discussed a few studies showing that autophagy modulators activate neuroinflammation in certain conditions. Results: Recent studies report neuroprotective as well as anti-neuroinflammatory effects of autophagic modulators. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs and their potential limitations as therapeutic agents against neurological disorders. Conclusion: Autophagy activators are promising compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders involving neuroinflammation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Effimia Zacharia ◽  
Nikolaos Papageorgiou ◽  
Adam Ioannou ◽  
Gerasimos Siasos ◽  
Spyridon Papaioannou ◽  
...  

During the last few years, a significant number of studies have attempted to clarify the underlying mechanisms that lead to the presentation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Inflammation is a key component of the pathophysiological processes that lead to the development of AF; the amplification of inflammatory pathways triggers AF, and, in tandem, AF increases the inflammatory state. Indeed, the plasma levels of several inflammatory biomarkers are elevated in patients with AF. In addition, the levels of specific inflammatory biomarkers may provide information regarding to the AF duration. Several small studies have assessed the role of anti-inflammatory treatment in atrial fibrillation but the results have been contradictory. Large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the role of inflammation in AF and whether anti-inflammatory medications should be routinely administered to patients with AF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-80
Author(s):  
Athina Chasapi ◽  
Kostas Balampanis ◽  
Eleni Kourea ◽  
Fotios Kalfaretzos ◽  
Vaia Lambadiari ◽  
...  

Background: Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) plays an important role in human metabolism and some of its metabolic actions are mediated by a positive “cross-talk” with Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) and the key metabolic transcriptional coregulator Transcriptional Intermediary Factor 2 (TIF2). Introduction: Our study is an “in situ” morphological evaluation of the communication between ERβ, NFAT and TIF2 in morbid obesity. Potential correlations with clinicopathological parameters and with the presence of diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were also explored. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of ERβ and NFAT in the underlying pathophysiology of obesity and related comorbidities. We have investigated the expression of specific proteins using immunochemistry methodologies. Methods: Our population consists of 50 morbidly obese patients undergoing planned bariatric surgery, during which biopsies were taken from visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), skeletal muscle (SM), extramyocellular adipose tissue (EMAT) and liver and the differential protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: We demonstrated an extensive intra- and inter-tissue co-expression network, which confirms the tissue-specific and integral role of each one of the investigated proteins in morbid obesity. Moreover, a beneficial role of ERβ and NFATc1 against NAFLD is implicated, whereas the distinct roles of TIF2 still remain an enigma. Conclusions: We believe that our findings will shed light on the complex underlying mechanisms and that the investigated biomarkers could represent future targets for the prevention and therapy of obesity and its comorbidities.


Author(s):  
Shengyuan Wang ◽  
Chuanling Wang ◽  
Lihua Wang ◽  
Zhiyou Cai

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been evidenced as a multimodal therapy in the path-ophysiological process of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the pathway that minocycline targets mTOR signaling is not fully defined in the AIS pathogenesis. This study is to aim at the effects of minocycline on the mTOR signaling in the AIS process and further discover the underlying mechanisms of minocycline involved in the following change of mTOR signaling-autophagy. Methods: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CIR) rat animal models were established with the transient suture occlusion into middle cerebral artery. Minocycline (50mg/kg) was given by intragastric administration. The Morris water maze was used to test the cognitive function of animals. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were introduced for testing the lev-els of synaptophysin and PSD-95. Western blot was conducted for investigating the levels of mTOR, p-mTOR (Ser2448), p70S6, p-p70S6 (Thr389), eEF2k, p-eEF2k (Ser366), p-eIF4B (Ser406), LC3, p62, synaptophysin and PSD-95. Results: Minocycline prevents cognitive decline of the MCAO stroke rats. Minocycline limits the expression of p-mTOR (Ser2448) and the downstream targets of mTOR [p70S6, p-p70S6 (Thr389), eEF2k, p-eEF2k (Ser366) and p-eIF4B (Ser406)] (P<0.01), while minocycline has no influence on mTOR. LC3-II abundance and the LC3-II/I ratio were upregu-lated in the hippocampus of the MCAO stroke rats by the minocycline therapy (P<0.01). p62 was downregulated in the hippocampus from the MCAO stroke rats administrated with minocycline therapy(P<0.01). The levels of SYP and PSD-95 were up-regulated in the brain of the MCAO stroke rats administrated with minocycline therapy. Conclusion: Minocycline prevents cognitive deficits via inhibiting mTOR signaling and enhancing autophagy process, and promoting the expression of pre-and postsynaptic proteins (synaptophysin and PSD-95) in the brain of the MCAO stroke rats. The potential neuroprotective role of minocycline in the process of cerebral ischemia may be related to mitigating is-chemia-induced synapse injury via inhibiting activation of mTOR signaling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zheng ◽  
Meimei Wu ◽  
Ting Gao ◽  
Li Meng ◽  
Xiaowei Ding ◽  
...  

Ample evidence suggests that estrogens have strong influences on the occurrence of stress-related mood disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Through multiple approaches, we demonstrate that the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is widely distributed along the HPA axis and in brain structures critically involved in mood control. Genetic ablation of GPER in the rat resulted in significantly lower basal serum corticosterone level but enhanced ACTH release in response to acute restraint stress, especially in the female. GPER-/- rats of either sex displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors and deficits in learning and memory. Additionally, GPER deficiency led to aggravation of anxiety-like behaviors following single-prolonged stress (SPS). SPS caused significant decreases in serum corticosterone in WT but not in GPER-deficient rats. The results highlight an important role of GPER at multiple sites in regulation of the HPA axis and mood.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
T.J. Holwerda ◽  
D. Rhebergen ◽  
H.C. Comijs ◽  
J.J.M. Dekker ◽  
M.L. Stek

Background:The prevalence of loneliness increases with age. The presence of loneliness in older adults has been found to be associated with health problems such as depression, decreased cognitive functioning, increases in systolic blood pressure and increased mortality. The underlying mechanisms of the higher mortality risk are largely unknown.Methods:Meta-analysis to investigate the present evidence for the associations between loneliness and mortality. Cross-sectional studies investigating the associations between loneliness and cardiovascular disease and between loneliness and cortisol in 378 depressed and 132 non-depressed older adults.Results:Loneliness appears to be associated with increased mortality, although when only studies are included that consider depression as a covariate, the association is not significant. Therefore it seems likely that depression plays a mediating role in the higher mortality risk.We did not find a significant association between loneliness and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, loneliness was significantly associated with lower cortisol output and decreased dexamethasone suppression.Discussion:The results and their implications for prevention and treatment will be discussed from a clinical perspective as well as a general health perspective. Is loneliness as potentially dangerous as depression?


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 278-279
Author(s):  
Feilong Wang ◽  
Shijie Li ◽  
Kaifa Wang ◽  
Yanni Yang

Abstract Older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are at increased risk for episodic memory decline. Episodic memory decline is an important predictor of objective memory impairment (one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease) and an often-suggested criterion of successful memory aging. Therefore, it is important to explore the determinant factors that influence episodic memory in older adults with SMCs. Roy adaptation model and preliminary evidence suggest that older adults with SMCs undergo a coping and adaptation process, a process influenced by many health-related risks and protective factors. This study aimed to explore the relationship between coping capacity and episodic memory, and the mediating role of healthy lifestyle between coping capacity and episodic memory in a sample of 309 community-dwelling older adults with SMCs. Results from the structural equation modeling showed that coping capacity directly affects episodic memory (r=0.629, p<0.001), and there is a partial mediating effect (60.5%) of healthy lifestyle among this sample of older adults with SMCs. This study demonstrates that coping capacity and adaptation positively correlate with episodic memory in older adults with SMCs, and that these correlations are mediated by healthy lifestyle. The results suggest that older adults with poor coping capacity should be assessed and monitored regularly, and clear lifestyle-related interventions initiated by healthcare providers that promote healthy lifestyles may effectively improve coping capacity and episodic memory in this population group. Note: First author: Feilong Wang, Co-first author: Shijie li, Corresponding author: Yanni Yang


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Xi Guo ◽  
Hong Yi ◽  
Tin Chiu Li ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Huilin Wang ◽  
...  

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenic factor that plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. VEGF also contributes to the process of embryo implantation by enhancing embryo development, improving endometrial receptivity, and facilitating the interactions between the developing embryo and the endometrium. There is a correlation between the alteration of VEGF expression and reproductive failure, including recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriage (RM). In order to clarify the role of VEGF in embryo implantation, we reviewed recent literature concerning the expression and function of VEGF in the reproductive system around the time of embryo implantation and we provide a summary of the findings reported so far. We also explored the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of action of VEGF in embryo implantation.


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