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Abstract #0945

MRI-Detectable Changes in Mouse Brain Structure Induced by Voluntary Exercise

Lindsay S. Cahill1, Patrick Steadman1, Christine L. Lalibert1, Patrick Macos1, Jun Dazai1, Jason P. Lerch1, 2, Bojana Stefanovic, 23, John G. Sled1, 2

1Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


The purpose of this study is to map, using high-resolution MR imaging in combination with deformation-based morphometry, the macroscopic changes in brain structure that occur in healthy mice that undergo voluntary exercise. In comparison to the control group, the hippocampus and stratum granulosum of the dentate gyrus showed volume increases in the exercise group and showed a positive correlation with exercise performance. Volume changes were also observed in specific regions of the cerebellum. In addition, mean cortical thickness in the exercise group was found to have a positive correlation with performance.