THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND SEX DIFFERENCES ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS IN A MOUSE MODEL OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Author

• Jason Schwab

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Trivigno, Catherine

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. It is characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to cognitive decline and memory deficiencies. Exercise has been shown to induce neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. However, the effects that exercise has on neuronal morphology are not fully understood. In this preliminary study I used APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice, a mouse model of AD, to quantify the morphological changes caused by exercise in the mice via access to a running wheel. The results showed that exercise caused significant morphological changes in the brains of females but not males. These findings increase our knowledge of the role exercise may have as a therapeutic and provide insight into the importance of sex differences regarding potential therapeutics for those with AD.

Comments

Thesis (B.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, 2023

Recommended Citation

Schwab, Jason, "THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND SEX DIFFERENCES ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS IN A MOUSE MODEL OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE" (2023). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present. 224.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors/224

Extent

46 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00273