Optimal Levels of Exercise for Recovery of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Camila Romero*, Ruth Velazquez Cruz, Zachary Weil, and Kate Weil

Erma Byrd Biomedical Research Center Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Health Sciences (Poster Presentation #132)

Student’s Major: Neuroscience

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are a common cause of disability and death in the United States. The usual recommended treatment after a TBI is prescribed rest, however, this practice has been shown to provide little to no benefit on the recovery and in some cases, has interfered with the patients’ health. The aim of this study is to observe through behavioral testing what is the optimal level of exercise that could potentially promote the most functional recovery after a TBI in mice, with the hypothesis that moderate intensity exercise will promote the highest level of functional recovery. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model for TBI. Mice underwent a TBI, or a control (sham) injury followed by 10 days of treadmill exercise. Mice were randomly assigned low-, moderate-, or high intensity exercise or the control sedentary condition for 30 minutes per day. To assess the effect of post-injury exercise on behavioral recovery, mice were subjected to three different types of tests, Barnes Maze for learning and memory, Forced Swim Test for depressive-like behavior, and Elevated Plus Maze for anxiety-like behavior. Preliminary data indicate that moderate intensity exercise after a TBI improves cognitive function and reduces anxiety-like behavior. Importantly, neither low-intensity nor high-intensity exercise appears to provide significant benefits to behavioral outcomes. These results can provide a better understanding about the impact of exercise following a TBI and provide a guideline for physicians regarding the use of exercise as a rehabilitation option for TBI.

Funding: West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course