Improvement of gait and balance function in chronic post-stroke patients induced by Lower Extremity - Constraint Induced Movement Therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Lower Extremity - Constraint Induced Movement Therapy on gait function and balance in chronic hemiparetic patients. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, single-blinded study. We recruited chronic post stroke patients and allocated them to Lower Extremity - Constraint Induced Movement Tharapy (LE-CIMT) or Control Group. The LE-CIMT group received this protocol 2.5 hour/day for 15 followed days, including: 1) intensive supervised training, 2) use of shaping as a strategy for motor training, and 3) application of a transfer package. The control group received conventional physiotherapy for 2.5 hours/day for 15 followed days. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after the interventions, and after 6 months, through 6-minute walk test and Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test; 10-meter walk test, Timed Up and Go, 3-D gait analysis, and Lower Extremity - Motor Activity Log. RESULTS: LE-CIMT was superior on the Assistance and confidence subscale of Lower Extremity - Motor Activity Log, Mini-BESTest and 6-minute walk test. The effect size for all outcomes was small when comparing both groups. LE-CIMT showed clinically significant differences in daily activities, balance, and gait capacity, with no clinically significant difference for spatiotemporal parameters. CONCLUSION: The LE-CIMT protocol had positive outcomes on balance, performance, and confidence perception.

Acute effects of moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise performed with different amounts of muscle mass on executive function in healthy young adults: a randomized trial.

We examined the effect of amount of muscle mass involved in moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise on executive function. To this end, fifty-five participants completed two acute physical exercise sessions on an airbike ergometer using the upper and lower limbs simultaneously and only the upper limbs, and a resting control session in a randomized order. The physical exercise session lasted 30 min and was performed at moderate intensity (between 64 %-76 % of maximal heart rate evaluated in graded maximal exercise testing). Participants took the Stroop test (congruent and incongruent trials) before and after the sessions to assess executive performance. For the congruent trial, both physical exercise interventions improved executive function performance (pre vs. post, p-value = 0.002 and 0.003 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). Furthermore, executive function performance was higher after the physical exercise interventions than after the control session (p-value = 0.002 and 0.004 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). For the incongruent trial, both physical exercise interventions also improved executive function performance (pre vs. post, p-value < 0.001 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). However, there were no significant differences after both physical exercise interventions and resting control session (p-value = 0.175). Executive function (congruent trial) was positively impacted by acute aerobic physical exercise regardless of the amount of muscle mass involved (upper limbs or upper plus lower limbs). Therefore, we recommend aerobic physical exercise with less or more muscle mass involved to improve cognitive function.

Effects of Calendula officinalis extract on liver histopathology, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in rats submitted to a diet rich in cholesterol and carbohydrates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the modulatory properties of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) (C. officinalis) extract on cafeteria diet-fed rats. METHODS: A cafeteria diet was administered ad libitum for 45 days to induce dyslipidemia. Then, the rats were treated with the formulations containing C. officinalis in the doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg or only with the vehicle formulation; the control group received a commercial ration. RESULTS: The cafeteria diet decreased glutathione S-transferase activity and high-density lipoprotein plasmatic levels and damaged the hepatic architecture. The C. officinalis extract was able to reduce lipid infiltration in liver tissue and to modulate oxidative stress and lipid profile markers. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations between the variables suggest a pathological connection between oxidative stress markers and serum lipid profile.

Measurement properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log for chronic hemiparetic poststroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is among the three leading causes of disability around the world, and it results in immediate difficulty in mobility and gait. There is a lack of instruments to evaluate what daily life is like for these individuals using their lower limbs in real-life environments (outside of the clinical environment). OBJECTIVE: To perform the translation and cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL) and test its measurement properties in chronic poststroke individuals. METHODS: The LE-MAL was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and adapted to the Brazilian culture. The comprehension and relevance of the final version were analyzed by a committee of specialists. The reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the LE-MAL/Brazil to detect changes after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (LE-CIMT) and an intensive conventional therapy were tested. RESULTS: The LE-MAL/Brazil showed excellent inter- and intrarater reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach alpha > 0.70, as well as standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change < 10% of the total instrument score when applied by the same evaluators. CONCLUSION: The responsiveness of the LE-MAL/Brazil to detect changes showed better results after LE-CIMT than after the intensive conventional therapy, with most of the correlations > 0.50.

ANTECEDENTES: O acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é a terceira causa de deficiência ao redor do mundo, e resulta em dificuldades imediatas relativas à marcha e à mobilidade. Nota-se a ausência de instrumentos que avaliem o dia a dia desses indivíduos quanto ao uso dos membros inferiores em ambientes reais (fora do ambiente clínico). OBJETIVO: Traduzir e fazer a adaptação cultural para o português do Brasil da Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL), e testar suas propriedades psicométricas em indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos pós-AVC. MéTODOS: A LE-MAL foi traduzida para o português do Brasil e adaptada para a cultura brasileira. A compreensão e a confiabilidade da versão final foram testadas por um comitê de especialistas. A confiabilidade, a validade e a responsividade em detectar mudanças após a terapia de contensão induzida para membros inferiores (TCI-MMII) e uma terapia convencional também foram testadas. RESULTADOS: A LE-MAL/Brazil mostrou excelente confiabilidade intra e interavaliador, com coeficiente de correlação intraclasse e alfa de Cronbach > 0,70, bem como erro padrão da medida e mínima mudança detectável < 10% da pontuação total quando aplicada pelo mesmo avaliador. CONCLUSãO: A responsividade da LE-MAL/Brazil em detectar mudanças após a TCI-MMII apresentou resultados melhores do que após a terapia convencional, com a maioria das correlações > 0,50.

Myelin, aging, and physical exercise.

Myelin sheath is a structure in neurons fabricated by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells responsible for increasing the efficiency of neural synapsis, impulse transmission, and providing metabolic support to the axon. They present morpho-functional changes during health aging as deformities of the sheath and its fragmentation, causing an increased load on microglial phagocytosis, with Alzheimer's disease aggravating. Physical exercise has been studied as a possible protective agent for the nervous system, offering benefits to neuroplasticity. In this regard, studies in animal models for Alzheimer's and depression reported the efficiency of physical exercise in protecting against myelin degeneration. A reduction of myelin damage during aging has also been observed in healthy humans. Physical activity promotes oligodendrocyte proliferation and myelin preservation during old age, although some controversies remain. In this review, we will address how effective physical exercise can be as a protective agent of the myelin sheath against the effects of aging in physiological and pathological conditions.

Neuroprotective effects of resistance physical exercise on the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Physical exercise has beneficial effects by providing neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses to AD. Most studies, however, have been conducted with aerobic exercises, and few have investigated the effects of other modalities that also show positive effects on AD, such as resistance exercise (RE). In addition to its benefits in developing muscle strength, balance and muscular endurance favoring improvements in the quality of life of the elderly, RE reduces amyloid load and local inflammation, promotes memory and cognitive improvements, and protects the cortex and hippocampus from the degeneration that occurs in AD. Similar to AD patients, double-transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice exhibit Αß plaques in the cortex and hippocampus, hyperlocomotion, memory deficits, and exacerbated inflammatory response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of RE intermittent training on the prevention and recovery from these AD-related neuropathological conditions in APP/PS1 mice. Methods: For this purpose, 6-7-month-old male APP/PS1 transgenic mice and their littermates, negative for the mutations (CTRL), were distributed into three groups: CTRL, APP/PS1, APP/PS1+RE. RE training lasted four weeks and, at the end of the program, the animals were tested in the open field test for locomotor activity and in the object recognition test for recognition memory evaluation. The brains were collected for immunohistochemical analysis of Aß plaques and microglia, and blood was collected for plasma corticosterone by ELISA assay. Results: APP/PS1 transgenic sedentary mice showed increased hippocampal Aß plaques and higher plasma corticosterone levels, as well as hyperlocomotion and reduced central crossings in the open field test, compared to APP/PS1 exercised and control animals. The intermittent program of RE was able to recover the behavioral, corticosterone and Aß alterations to the CTRL levels. In addition, the RE protocol increased the number of microglial cells in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Despite these alterations, no memory impairment was observed in APP/PS1 mice in the novel object recognition test. Discussion: Altogether, the present results suggest that RE plays a role in alleviating AD symptoms, and highlight the beneficial effects of RE training as a complementary treatment for AD.

Measurement properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log for chronic hemiparetic poststroke patients / Propriedades de medida da versão brasileira da Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log para pacientes hemiparéticos crônicos pós-AVC

Abstract Background Stroke is among the three leading causes of disability around the world, and it results in immediate difficulty in mobility and gait. There is a lack of instruments to evaluate what daily life is like for these individuals using their lower limbs in real-life environments (outside of the clinical environment). Objective To perform the translation and cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL) and test its measurement properties in chronic poststroke individuals. Methods The LE-MAL was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and adapted to the Brazilian culture. The comprehension and relevance of the final version were analyzed by a committee of specialists. The reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the LE-MAL/Brazil to detect changes after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (LE-CIMT) and an intensive conventional therapy were tested. Results The LE-MAL/Brazil showed excellent inter- and intrarater reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach alpha > 0.70, as well as standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change < 10% of the total instrument score when applied by the same evaluators. Conclusion The responsiveness of the LE-MAL/Brazil to detect changes showed better results after LE-CIMT than after the intensive conventional therapy, with most of the correlations > 0.50.

Resumo Antecedentes O acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é a terceira causa de deficiência ao redor do mundo, e resulta em dificuldades imediatas relativas à marcha e à mobilidade. Nota-se a ausência de instrumentos que avaliem o dia a dia desses indivíduos quanto ao uso dos membros inferiores em ambientes reais (fora do ambiente clínico). Objetivo Traduzir e fazer a adaptação cultural para o português do Brasil da Lower-Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL), e testar suas propriedades psicométricas em indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos pós-AVC. Métodos A LE-MAL foi traduzida para o português do Brasil e adaptada para a cultura brasileira. A compreensão e a confiabilidade da versão final foram testadas por um comitê de especialistas. A confiabilidade, a validade e a responsividade em detectar mudanças após a terapia de contensão induzida para membros inferiores (TCI-MMII) e uma terapia convencional também foram testadas. Resultados A LE-MAL/Brazil mostrou excelente confiabilidade intra e interavaliador, com coeficiente de correlação intraclasse e alfa de Cronbach > 0,70, bem como erro padrão da medida e mínima mudança detectável < 10% da pontuação total quando aplicada pelo mesmo avaliador. Conclusão A responsividade da LE-MAL/Brazil em detectar mudanças após a TCI-MMII apresentou resultados melhores do que após a terapia convencional, com a maioria das correlações > 0,50.

The effects of resistance exercise on cognitive function, amyloidogenesis, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.

With the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and difficulties in finding effective treatments, it is essential to discover alternative therapies through new approaches. In this regard, non-pharmacological therapies, such as physical exercise, have been proposed and explored for the treatment of AD. Recent studies have suggested that resistance exercise (RE) is an effective strategy for promoting benefits in memory and cognitive function, producing neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, and reducing amyloid load and plaques, thereby reducing the risk, and alleviating the neurodegeneration process of AD and other types of dementia in the elderly. In addition, RE is the exercise recommended by the World Health Organization for the elderly due to its benefits in improving muscle strength and balance, and increasing autonomy and functional capacity, favoring improvements in the quality of life of the elderly population, who is more likely to develop AD and other types of dementia. In this mini-review, we discuss the impact of RE on humans affected by MCI and AD, and animal models of AD, and summarize the main findings regarding the effects of RE program on memory and cognitive functions, neurotrophic factors, Aß deposition and plaque formation, as well as on neuroinflammation. Overall, the present review provides clinical and preclinical evidence that RE plays a role in alleviating AD symptoms and may help to understand the therapeutic potential of RE, thereby continuing the advances in AD therapies.

Pharmacological Modulation by Low Molecular Weight Heparin of Purinergic Signaling in Cardiac Cells Prevents Arrhythmia and Lethality Induced by Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies suggest that heparins prevent arrhythmias caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. To investigate the involvement of pharmacological modulation of adenosine (ADO) signaling in cardiac cells by a low-molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin; ENOX) used in AMI therapy, the effects of ENOX on the incidences of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB), and lethality (LET) induced by cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (CIR) were evaluated, with or without ADO signaling blockers. METHODS: To induce CIR, adult male Wistar rats were anesthetized and subjected to CIR. Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis was used to evaluate CIR-induced VA, AVB, and LET incidence, after treatment with ENOX. ENOX effects were evaluated in the absence or presence of an ADO A1-receptor antagonist (DPCPX) and/or an inhibitor of ABC transporter-mediated cAMP efflux (probenecid, PROB). RESULTS: VA incidence was similar between ENOX-treated (66%) and control rats (83%), but AVB (from 83% to 33%) and LET (from 75% to 25%) incidences were significantly lower in rats treated with ENOX. These cardioprotective effects were blocked by either PROB or DPCPX. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that ENOX was effective in preventing severe and lethal arrhythmias induced by CIR due to pharmacological modulation of ADO signaling in cardiac cells, suggesting that this cardioprotective strategy could be promising in AMI therapy.

Effects of Calendula officinalis extract on liver histopathology, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in rats submitted to a diet rich in cholesterol and carbohydrates

Purpose: To evaluate the modulatory properties of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) (C. officinalis) extract on cafeteria diet-fed rats. Methods: A cafeteria diet was administered ad libitum for 45 days to induce dyslipidemia. Then, the rats were treated with the formulations containing C. officinalis in the doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg or only with the vehicle formulation; the control group received a commercial ration. Results: The cafeteria diet decreased glutathione S-transferase activity and high-density lipoprotein plasmatic levels and damaged the hepatic architecture. The C. officinalis extract was able to reduce lipid infiltration in liver tissue and to modulate oxidative stress and lipid profile markers. Conclusions: The correlations between the variables suggest a pathological connection between oxidative stress markers and serum lipid profile.

Effect of the ACTN-3 gene polymorphism on functional fitness and executive function of elderly.

During aging, physical integrity and cognitive abilities, especially executive function, become compromised, directly influencing the quality of life of the elderly. One good strategy to ensure healthy aging is the practice of physical exercise. Activities to improve aerobic capacity and muscle strength are extremely important in old age. However, some genetic factors can interfere both positively and negatively with these gains. In this context, the polymorphism rs1815739 (R577X) of the α-actinin 3 gene (ACTN-3) is commonly studied and related to muscle phenotype. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of the ACTN-3 gene polymorphism on the functional fitness (measured by the Senior Fit test) and cognitive capacity (evaluated by the Stroop test) of the elderly (n = 347), both men and women. We did not find the effect of genotype on functional fitness, but we did observed a positive effect of the ACTN-3 gene polymorphism on executive function. The presence of the X allele of the ACTN3 gene in the elderly was related to a better performance in the Stroop test (shorter answer time). Our results showed that ACTN-3 gene polymorphism affects the executive function of the elderly but not their functional fitness.

Resistance exercise improves learning and memory and modulates hippocampal metabolomic profile in aged rats.

Physical activity has been considered an important non-medication intervention to preserve mnemonic processes during aging. However, how resistance exercise promotes such benefits remains unclear. A possible hypothesis is that brain-metabolic changes of regions responsible for memory consolidation is affected by muscular training. Therefore, we analyzed the memory, axiety and the metabolomic of aged male Wistar rats (19-20 months old in the 1st day of experiment) submitted to a 12-week resistance exercise protocol (EX, n = 11) or which remained without physical exercise (CTL, n = 13). Barnes maze, elevated plus maze and inhibitory avoidance tests were used to assess the animals' behaviour. The metabolomic profile was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. EX group had better performance in the tests of learning and spatial memory in Barnes maze, and an increase of short and long-term aversive memories formation in inhibitory avoidance. In addition, the exercised animals showed a greater amount of metabolites, such as 4-aminobutyrate, acetate, butyrate, choline, fumarate, glycerol, glycine, histidine, hypoxanthine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, niacinamide, phenylalanine, succinate, tyrosine, valine and a reduction of ascorbate and aspartate compared to the control animals. These data indicate that the improvement in learning and memory of aged rats submitted to resistance exercise program is associated by changes in the hippocampal metabolomic profile.

The Potential Role of Previous Physical Exercise Program to Reduce Seizure Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Animal Studies.

Background: Clinical and pre-clinical studies indicate a reduction in seizure frequency as well as a decrease in susceptibility to subsequently evoked seizures after physical exercise programs. In contrast to the influence of exercise after epilepsy previously established, various studies have been conducted attempting to investigate whether physical activity reduces brain susceptibility to seizures or prevents epilepsy. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis of different animal models that addressed the impact of previous physical exercise programs to reduce seizure susceptibility. Methods: We included animal model (rats and mice) studies before brain insult that reported physical exercise programs compared with other interventions (sham, control, or naïve). We excluded studies that investigated animal models after brain insult, associated with supplement nutrition or drugs, that did not address epilepsy or seizure susceptibility, ex vivo studies, in vitro studies, studies in humans, or in silico studies. Electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, PsycINFO, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases, and gray literature, without restrictions to the year or language of publication. We used SYRCLE's risk of bias tool and CAMARADES checklist for study quality. We performed a synthesis of results for different types of exercise and susceptibility to seizures by random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen studies were included in the final analysis (543 animals), 13 of them used male animals, and Wistar rats were the most commonly studied species used in the studies (355 animals). The chemoconvulsants used in the selected studies were pentylenetetrazol, penicillin, kainic acid, pilocarpine, and homocysteine. We assessed the impact of study design characteristics and the reporting of mitigations to reduce the risk of bias. We calculated a standardized mean difference effect size for each comparison and performed a random-effects meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included behavioral analysis (latency to seizure onset, n = 6 and intensity of motor signals, n = 3) and electrophysiological analysis (spikes/min, n = 4, and amplitude, n = 6). The overall effect size observed in physical exercise compared to controls for latency to seizure onset was -130.98 [95% CI: -203.47, -58.49] (seconds) and the intensity of motor signals was -0.40 [95% CI: -1.19, 0.40] (on a scale from 0 to 5). The largest effects were observed in electrophysiological analysis for spikes/min with -26.96 [95% CI: -39.56, -14.36], and for spike amplitude (µV) with -282.64 [95% CI: -466.81, -98.47]. Discussion: Limitations of evidence. A higher number of animal models should be employed for analyzing the influence of exerciseon seizure susceptibility. The high heterogeneity in our meta-analysis is attributable to various factors, including the number of animals used in each study and the limited number of similar studies. Interpretation. Studies selected in this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that previous physical exercise programs can reduce some of the main features related to seizure susceptibility [latency seizure onset, spikes/min, and spike amplitude (µV)] induced by the administration of different chemoconvulsants. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021251949; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=251949.

Effects of lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy on gait and balance of chronic hemiparetic patients after stroke: description of a study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Protocols involving intensive practice have shown positive outcomes. Constraint induced movement therapy (CIT) appears to be one of the best options for better outcomes in upper limb rehabilitation, but we still have little data about lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (LE-CIT) and its effects on gait and balance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an LE-CIT protocol on gait functionality and balance in chronic hemiparetic patients following a stroke. METHODS: The study adopts a randomized, controlled, single-blinded study design. Forty-two patients, who suffered a stroke, who were in the chronic phase of recovery (>6 months), with gait disability (no community gait), and who were able to walk at least 10 m with or without the advice or support of 1 person, will be randomly allocated to 2 groups: the LE-CIT group or the control group (intensive conventional therapy). People will be excluded if they have speech deficits that render them unable to understand and/or answer properly to evaluation scales and exercises selected for the protocol and/or if they have suffered any clinical event between the screening and the beginning of the protocol. Outcome will be assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and after 6 months (T2). The outcome measures chosen for this trial are as follows: 6-min walk test (6minWT), 10-m walk test (10mWT), timed up and go (TUG), 3-D gait analysis (3DGA), Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), and as a secondary measure, Lower Extremity Motor Activity Log will be evaluated (LE-MAL). The participants in both groups will receive 15 consecutive days of daily exercise. The participants in the LE-CIT group will be submitted to this protocol 2.5 h/day for 15 consecutive days. It will include (1) intensive supervised training, (2) use of shaping as strategy for motor training, and (3) application of a transfer package (plus 30 min). The control group will receive conventional physiotherapy for 2.5 h/day over 15 consecutive days (the same period as the CIT intervention). Repeated measures analyses will be made to compare differences and define clinically relevant changes between groups. RESULTS: Data collection is currently on-going and results are expected in 2021. DISCUSSION: LE-CIT seems to be a good protocol for inclusion into stroke survivors' rehabilitation as it has all the components needed for positive results, as well as intensity and transference of gains to daily life activities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br RBR-467cv6 . Registered on 10 October 2017. "Effects of Lower Extremities - Constraint Induced Therapy on gait and balance function in chronic hemipretic post-stroke patients".

Enriched environment and exercise effects on parvalbumin expression and distribution in the hippocampal formation of developing rats.

Several models of environmental enrichment and physical exercise have been used to explore the experience effects on brain functions and plasticity, mainly in adult animals. In order to examine the early influence of these stimuli on developing brain, the present study used calcium-binding protein parvalbumin as neuroplastic marker in the hippocampal formation of male Wistar rats subjected to environmental enrichment or physical exercise from postnatal days 21 to 60 (P21-P60). In our study, no significant difference in hippocampal expression and distribution of parvalbumin was found between enriched and control rats. However, a significant increase in parvalbumin protein expression as well as in the number of neurons stained with parvalbumin was observed in the hippocampal formation of rats submitted to daily treadmill exercise when compared to the control rats. The hippocampal region with the highest number of parvalbumin neurons in exercised rats was Cornus of Amon 2 e 3 (CA2/CA3). These findings indicate that developing brain may be differentially sensitive to environmental stimulation models. Specifically, our results show that hippocampal expression and distribution of parvalbumin in developing rats may be more influenced by exercise than by enriched environment. The mechanisms are not yet known.

Dance promotes positive benefits for negative symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Dance practice can elicit esthesia to stimulate the communication process through the notion of the phenomenal body that is recognized in an expressive and symbolic space. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to identify how dance promotes positive benefits for the negative symptoms in ASD. METHOD: We formulated the research question based on PICO: "What is the influence of dance on negative symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder?". Databases were searched in March 2019 and included PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, PsycInfo and Web of Science. RESULTS: We identified 9,350 studies of which five were selected for our review (a total of 266 individuals). All included studies showed an influence of dance on negative symptoms, including empathy, emotional expression, body awareness, behavior, and psychological wellbeing that impact on social reciprocity, and consequently the communication process, in ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Dance practice may contribute to body awareness and social involvement using techniques that provide mirroring, synchronization, rhythm, and reciprocity in adults with normal to high-functioning ASD.

Resistance Exercise Decreases Amyloid Load and Modulates Inflammatory Responses in the APP/PS1 Mouse Model for Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuroinflammation has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and also has an association with amyloid-ß (Aß) plaques, a hallmark of this disease. Physical exercise has emerged as an alternative treatment for pathological impairment in AD. In light of this evidence, together with the fact that the hippocampus is one of the first structures to be affected in AD, we analyzed hippocampal changes in Aß load, inflammatory responses, and locomotor activity in transgenic APP/PS1 mouse model for AD submitted to a resistance exercise (RE) program. One month after the start of the RE program, the locomotor hyperactivity related to AD behavior was reduced and microglia recruitment was increased, which in turn may have contributed to the decrease in the volume of Aß plaques. In addition, the RE program restored the levels of IL-1α, IL-4, and IL-6 cytokines to control levels. Our study indicates that RE has beneficial effects on the locomotor behavior, amyloid burden, and inflammation of AD pathology and can therefore be used as a therapy to improve the clinical symptoms and neurophysiological alterations in AD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use a resistance exercise program in transgenic AD model.

The Contribution of Physical Exercise to Brain Resilience.

Increasing attention has been given to understanding resilience to brain diseases, often described as brain or cognitive reserve. Among the protective factors for the development of resilience, physical activity/exercise has been considered to play an important role. Exercise is known to induce many positive effects on the brain. As such, exercise represents an important tool to influence neurodevelopment and shape the adult brain to react to life's challenges. Among many beneficial effects, exercise intervention has been associated with cognitive improvement and stress resilience in humans and animal models. Thus, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that exercise not only recovers or minimizes cognitive deficits by inducing better neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve but also counteracts brain pathology. This is evidenced before disease onset or after it has been established. In this review, we aimed to present encouraging data from current clinical and pre-clinical neuroscience research and discuss the possible biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of physical exercise on resilience. We consider the implication of physical exercise for resilience from brain development to aging and for some neurological diseases. Overall, the literature indicates that brain/cognitive reserve built up by regular exercise in several stages of life, prepares the brain to be more resilient to cognitive impairment and consequently to brain pathology.

Physical exercise during pregnancy minimizes PTZ-induced behavioral manifestations in prenatally stressed offspring.

Stress during gestation has been shown to affect susceptibility and intensity of seizures in offspring. Environmental stimuli, such as maternal physical exercise, have shown to be beneficial for brain development. Although studies have demonstrated the deleterious influence of stress during pregnancy on seizure manifestation in offspring, very little is known on how to minimize these effects. This study verified whether physical exercise during the pregnancy associated with prenatal stress minimizes seizure susceptibility in offspring at the beginning of postnatal development. Pregnant rats and male pups were divided into the following groups: control, stress, stress/forced exercise, and stress/voluntary exercise. Behavioral manifestations were analyzed after injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 45 and 60 mg/kg) at ages P15 and P25. Increased behavioral manifestations and seizure severity was observed in the stress group compared with the control group at both ages. At the dose of 45 mg/kg, offspring of stressed mothers who performed both physical exercise models showed an increase in latency for the first manifestation and decrease in the seizures severity at both ages compared with the mothers groups who were only stressed. Prenatal restraint stress potentiated PTZ-induced seizure behavior, and both forced and voluntary exercise during gestation attenuates the negative effects of PTZ-induced offspring.

Early exercise induces long-lasting morphological changes in cortical and hippocampal neurons throughout of a sedentary period of rats.

Life experiences at early ages, such as physical activity in childhood and adolescence, can result in long-lasting brain effects able to reduce future risk of brain disorders and to enhance lifelong brain functions. However, how early physical exercise promotes these effects remains unclear. A possible hypothesis is that physical exercise increases the expression of neurotrophic factors and stimulates neuronal growth, resulting in a neural reserve to be used at later ages. Basing our study on this hypothesis, we evaluated the absolute number and morphology of neuronal cells, as well as the expression of growth, proliferation and survival proteins (BDNF, Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, ERK and CREB) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation throughout of a sedentary period of rats who were physically active during youth. To do this, male Wistar rats were submitted to an aerobic exercise protocol from the 21st to the 60th postnatal days (P21-P60), and evaluated at 0 (P60), 30 (P90) and 60 (P120) days after the last exercise session. Results showed that juvenile exercise increased, and maintained elevated, the number of cortical and hippocampal neuronal cells and dendritic arborization, when evaluated at the above post-exercise ages. Hippocampal BDNF levels and cortical mTOR expression were found to be increased at P60, but were restored to control levels at P90 and P120. Overall, these findings indicate that, despite the short-term effects on growth and survival proteins, early exercise induces long-lasting morphological changes in cortical and hippocampal neurons even during a sedentary period of rats.