| Impact of Interval and Continuous Aerobic Protocols on Spatial Memory in Male and Female Autistic Rats |
| Paper ID : 1083-SPORTCONGRESS (R2) |
| Authors |
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Reihaneh Mohammadkhani *1, Seyed Asaad Karimi2 1Assistant professor of Bu-Ali Sina University 2. Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: This study examined the effects of two aerobic training modalities -interval training (IT) and continuous training (CT)- on spatial learning and memory in male and female offspring of a valproic acid rat model of autism. Autism spectrum disorder involves social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments (Bossu & Roux, 2019). Prenatal valproic acid exposure induces autism-like features in rodents. Given sex differences in neurodevelopment and the therapeutic potential of exercise, this study investigated how exercise type and sex interact to influence spatial cognition. Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats received sodium valproate (500 mg/kg) on embryonic day 12.5 (Safari et al., 2021). Offspring were assigned at postnatal day 56 to IT, CT, or sedentary groups. Training was performed on a treadmill for 8 weeks (50 min/day, 5 days/week). Spatial learning and memory were evaluated between postnatal days 84–89 using the Morris water maze. Escape latency, swimming distance, and probe trial performance were analyzed using ANOVA and area under the curve. Results: Exercise effects differed by sex. In males, both IT and CT significantly reduced escape latency and distance, indicating improved learning, and enhanced probe performance, with CT showing greater time spent in the target zone. In females, IT and CT improved acquisition in controls; however, in VPA-exposed females, only IT significantly improved latency, distance, and reference memory (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that IT confers a selective advantage in autistic females, whereas both modalities benefit males. No group differences were observed in swimming speed or visual ability. Conclusion: Prenatal valproic acid exposure caused sex-specific cognitive deficits, with males more affected. Aerobic exercise -particularly IT- attenuated these impairments, possibly through enhanced hippocampal plasticity and neurotrophic signaling. These results support IT as a promising non-pharmacological approach to improve cognitive dysfunction associated with autism. |
| Keywords |
| Interval training; Continuous training; Autism; Sex differences; Morris water maze |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
