A study has shown that regular physical activity can spur the production of neurons in the memory region of a mouse's brain. One result was that mice who exercised on a running wheel learned new tasks better than mice who remained sedentary.

Memory Tests

Researchers compared groups of old mice (about age 70 in human years) and young mice (age 20 in human years) allowed to exercise on a treadmill as long as they wanted with a control group that didn't exercise for a month, then gave all of them memory tests (finding a platform sitting in a small pool of water).

Older Mice Grew New Brain Cells

Older mice that exercised performed just as well on the memory test as younger ones did. Older mice that didn't exercise failed to remember where the platform was sitting, probably because they produced few new brain cells; scientists found regular physical activity spurred the growth of neurons.

This led them to believe exercise could hold the same promise for seniors in boosting their brainpower and slowing the forgetfulness and confusion that accompanies aging. The study may also suggest that people with diseases such as Alzheimer's could be able to build replacement brain cells by engaging in daily workouts.

While previous research has demonstrated that exercise can spur the formation of brain cells in young mice, this is the first study that shows exercise helps older mice in the same way.

USA Today September 21, 2005