Swimming Training Modifies Stress-induced Changes in the Hippocampal Morphology and Spatial Memory in Rats

This study assessed the effect of swimming training on morphology (Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), dark cells and thickness of CA1 and DG) of the hippocampus and spatial memory performance in young male rats exposed to chronic stress. Adult male wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: swimming training (ST); exposure to chronic mild stress (CS); exposure to chronic mild stress followed by swimming training (CS + ST); exposure to chronic mild stress followed by a recovery period (CS + recovery); control group with no exercise or stress intervention. Spatial memory was measured by Morris Water Maze (MWM). Results: The lowest GFAP and number of dark cells, the highest thickness of CA1, DG, and spatial memory performance were observed in the ST group. In the CS + ST group, swimming training reduced GFAP and the number of dark cells, increased thickness of CA1 and DG, and memory performance, compared to control and CS + Recovery. In the CS group, GFAP and the number of dark cells were highest and thickness of CA1 and DG were lowest among the study groups. In the CS + Recovery group, GFAP, and the number of dark cells were lower, compared to the CS group. Conclusion: swimming training could attenuate astrogliosis and the number of dark cells in both stressed and non-stressed rats and its effect on non-stressed rats was more prominent than in stressed rats. Among young male rates, swimming training could improve stress-induced spatial memory performance and hippocampal morphology.

Neuroprotective role of Glycyrrhiza glabra on chronic noise induced changes in Hippocampal morphology and its functions in wistar albino rats

Background: Noise has become inexorable stress due to the increase in urbanization, automobile usage, and lifestyle modification.Aim: The study aims to investigate the effect of chronic noise stress on hippocampal morphology and the neuroprotective effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) on stress-induced male Wistar albino rats. Methods: Adult albino rats were randomly divided into four groups. Each group contained six animals. Rats exposed to chronic noise stress (100 dB/4 h – 30Days), Noise + GG (150 mg/kg Bw/Oral), and GG alone were compared with control animal and assessed for behaviour using the hole-board test, marble burying test, the morphology of hippocampus by histology, DNA fragmentation and assessed the Phytochemical constitutes in GG. Results: The rats exposed to chronic noise stress showed significance (p<0.05) of behavioral alterations such as increased fear and anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, enlarged lateral ventricle, and reduced hippocampal volume. Conclusion: The results reported that chronic noise stress affects the neurobehavioral due to reduced hippocampal volume.

IMPACT OF CHRONIC NOISE ON HIPPOCAMPAL MORPHOLOGY AND ITS FUNCTIONS IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Objective: The study aims to investigate the effect of chronic noise stress on hippocampal morphology and its functions in male Wistar albino rats. Methods: Adult albino rats were randomly divided into two groups. Each group contained six animals. Rats exposed to chronic noise stress (100 dB/4 h–30 days) were compared with control animal and assessed for behavior using hole-board test, marble burying test, and morphology of hippocampus by histology. Results: The rats exposed to chronic noise stress showed significance (P < 0.05) of behavioral alterations such as increased fear and anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, enlarged lateral ventricle, and reduced hippocampal volume. Conclusion: The results reported that chronic noise stress affects neurobehavioral due to reduced hippocampal volume.

Peer victimization and the association with hippocampal development and working memory in children with and without ADHD

Background Children with ADHD are at risk of experiencing peer victimization, which is associated with delayed brain development and cognitive difficulties. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between problem behaviours, peer victimization, hippocampal morphology, and working memory in children with and without ADHD. Methods 218 typically developing participants (50.5% male) and 232 participants diagnosed with ADHD (77.6% male) were recruited. The ADHD group was subdivided into inattentive (ADHD-I) or combined (ADHD-C) type. The Child Behaviour Checklist measured problem behaviours and peer victimization. Hippocampal subfield volumes were obtained using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-fifth edition measured working memory (WM). Results The ADHD-C group displayed significantly higher rates of problem behaviours and peer victimization (all, p < 0.001). Left Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) volume was a positive predictor of levels of peer victimization (all, p < 0.013). Left CA3 volume was a positive predictor of WM and left Cornu Ammonis 4 (CA4) volume was a negative predictor (all, p < 0.025). A cluster analysis revealed that children displaying symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are the most at risk for peer victimization. Conclusions Interventions focusing on minimizing peer victimization may aid in mitigating adverse downstream effects, and aid in promoting brain health and cognitive function.

Dietary folic acid deficiency impacts hippocampal morphology and cortical acetylcholine metabolism in adult male and female mice

BackgroundRecent evidence suggests that sex plays a role when there are deficiencies in one-carbon metabolism, however, the impact on brain tissue remains unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to examine the impact of sex differences and dietary folic acid deficiency on brain tissue in adult mice.MethodsMale and female C57Bl/6J mice were placed on a folic acid deficient (FD) or control diet (CD) at six weeks of age. Mice were maintained on these diets for six months, after which animals were euthanized and brain tissue and serum were collected for analysis. Serum folate levels were measured. In brain tissue, hippocampal volume and morphology including Cornu Ammonis 1 and 3 (CA1; CA3), and dentate gyrus thickness were measured. Apoptosis within the hippocampus was assessed using active caspase-3 immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, cortical acetylcholine metabolism was measured in brain tissue using immunofluorescence staining of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).ResultsMale and female FD mice had reduced serum levels of folate. Both males and females maintained on a FD showed a decrease in the thickness of the hippocampal CA3 region. Interestingly, there was a sex difference in the levels of apoptosis within the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In cortical tissue, there were increased levels of neuronal ChAT and reduced levels of AChE in FD females and male mice.ConclusionsThe results indicated that FD impacts hippocampal morphology through increased apoptosis and changes acetylcholine metabolism within the cortex. The data from our study indicate a sex difference in apoptosis and differences in hippocampal morphology and choline metabolism as a result of dietary folic acid deficiency.