Abstract: Objective To study the effects and mechanism of exercise on learning-memory of space and in aged rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods 20 SD rats at the age of 20 months with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group (n=10) received regularly exercise, while the control group (n=10) exercised freely. Morris water maze was tested 1 week after exercise, and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression on the ischemic side of the hippocampus were detected.Results The latency in the 2nd round decreased (P<0.05) and the path line on the platform increased (P<0.05) in the experimental group in Morris water maze test (P<0.05), while the BDNF mRNA increased (P<0.01), compared with control group. Conclusion Regular exercise can improve space learning-memory ability of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion aged rats, which may associate with increased BDNF mRNA expression in hippocampus.

Key words: ischemia-reperfusion, exercise, space learning-memory, rats, aged