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MUSCULAR STRENGTH IN A MODEL OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND THE EFFECT OF TREADMILL TRAINING

K Edwards
S Hall

Abstract

K. Edwards, S. Hall

Boise State University, Boise, ID

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease affecting 5.5 million in the United States. Exercise is a proven method to increase functionality, cognition, muscular strength, and muscular mass in AD patients. However, the relationship between muscular strength and AD disease progression is one that needs further understanding. PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise on the muscular strength in a rat model of AD. METHODS: Four different groups were utilized in this pilot project. AD animals were genotyped for APP and PSEN1 genes and were compared to their wild type (WT) litter mates. Next, animals were randomly assigned to either sedentary (S) or treadmill training (T). At 12 months of age, a four-month treadmill training protocol began. At 16 months of age, muscular strength was assessed by grip strength. RESULTS: Values relative to body mass were analyzed and a significant improvement in strength was seen with treadmill training in the WT groups (WT-S 2.4 vs WT-T 3.2, p<.05). No significant effect of exercise was found among the AD groups (AD-S 2.5 vs. AD-T 2.7, p>.05). CONCLUSION: While exercise improved muscular strength in control animals, AD animals did not see the same improvements.

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