The Effects of Moderate Interval Training (MIT) and Lithium on Spatial Learning and Memory in MaleWistar Rats

The most effective non-drug treatment for brain health promotion is physical exercise (EX). Exercise results inbenefits such as modulation of autophagy, increased mitochondrial biogenesis, and upregulation of BDNF. Theeffects of lithium and MIT (moderate interval training) on spatial learning and memory in male Wistar rats wereinvestigated in this study investigated. Also, we evaluated the role of mitochondrial genes and the BDNF proteinin this effect. The study protocol included six groups of animals: Control (Ctr.), animals that did not receive thedrug; II: Li۱۰ (۱۰ mg/kg/day/i.p.); III: Moderate-intensity training (MIT); IV: Li۱۰ and MIT (Li۱۰+MIT); V: Li۴۰(۴۰ mg/kg/ip); VI: Li۴۰ and MIT (Li۴۰+ MIT). Our results showed that memory and spatial learning improvedas a result of exercise ; nevertheless, lithium administration alone cannot exert this effect. Additionally, ratsexposed to a combination of exercise and lithium showed improvement in spatial learning and memory.