Voluntary Running Improves Behavioral and Structural Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder
Biomolecules · 10 authors, 2 centres
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This preclinical study tested voluntary wheel running in Cdkl5 knockout mice, a model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. The central result is that long-term running improved behavioral deficits (hyperlocomotion, impulsivity) and was associated with increased hippocampal neurogenesis, neuronal survival, spine maturation, and BDNF levels.
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The study used a preclinical mouse model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) to investigate the effects of voluntary wheel running. The study design involved comparing wild-type and Cdkl5 knockout mice, with a subset of each genotype having access to running wheels. Key results indicated that voluntary running in the knockout mice reduced hyperlocomotion and impulsivity in an open-field test to wild-type levels and showed a trend towards improved memory in a passive avoidance task. Structurally, running increased hippocampal neurogenesis, improved survival of CA1 pyramidal neurons, inhibited microglia overactivation, and promoted cortical dendritic spine maturation. A proposed mechanism involves exercise-induced upregulation of BDNF. Limitations include the use of a mouse model, which may not perfectly recapitulate human CDD, and the observation that the knockout mice ran significantly less than wild-type mice, raising questions about motivation and skill learning. The authors suggest that a properly designed exercise program could be a beneficial adjuvant therapy for CDD patients.