Central β-adrenergic receptors play an important role in the enhancing effect of voluntary exercise on learning and memory in rat

The beneficial effects of physical activity and exercise on brain functions such as improvement in learning and memory are well documented. The aim of this study was to examine the role of the β-adrenergic system in voluntary exercise-induced enhancement of learning and memory in rat. In order to block the β-adrenergic receptors, the animals were received propranolol (a β-blocker), or nadolol (a peripherally acting β-blocker) before each night of five consecutive nights of exercise. Then their learning and memory were tested on the water maze task using a two-trials-per-day for 5 consecutive days. A probe trial was performed 2 days after the last training day. Our results showed that propranolol, but not nadolol reversed the exercise-induced improvement in learning and memory in rat. Our findings indicate that central β-adrenergic receptors play an important role in mediating the beneficial effects of voluntary exercise on learning and memory.