Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Author: Santiago Alderete | Email: salderete@immf.uncor.edu
Santiago Alderete 1°, Milena Jandar Paz 1°, Agustin Anastasía 1°, Mónica Sanchez 1°
1° Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra (INIMEC)
Numerous studies have underlined the favorable impact of physical exercise (PE) on mental well-being, particularly its association with increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. One major proposed mechanism involves elevation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). There is substantial divergence in individual responses to EF associated with genetic variations. Within the BDNF gene, a single nucleotide polymorphism, present in approximately one quarter of the world’s population, results in the substitution of a valine for a methionine at position 66 (Val66Met) in the BDNF prodomain. People harboring this SNP exhibit increased susceptibility to psychiatric conditions. Our study sought to assess the impact of PE on anxiety-related behaviors in knock-in mice harboring the human Val66Met SNP. These mice reflect the phenotypic attributes of humans with this polymorphism. The experiment encompassed six experimental groups: wild-type BDNFVal/Val homozygotes, BDNFVal/Met heterozygotes, and BDNFVal/Met homozygotes, with each genotype subjected to exercise or sedentary conditions. The exercised groups participated in a treadmill at a speed of 15 m/min for 30 minutes per day, five days per week for three weeks. Preliminary findings indicate that in mice carrying at least one Met allele, PE does not mitigate certain anxiety-related phenotypes. This research aims to refine our understanding of PE as an anxiolytic agent in individuals carrying Met alleles.