Abstract
In order to investigate effects of physical exercise on cognitive functions in monkeys, an isokinetic machine for testing and training a monkey (monkey version of StrengthErgo240) was developed. Two monkeys were trained for 4-7 months with the machine (exercise group), and consumed energy was then recorded with rotary numbers. The two monkeys were trained to move hand at self-pace (self-paced hand movement) before the physical exercise. The 5 monkeys as control (no-exercise group) were trained for self-paced and audio-initiated hand movements, in which cortical field potentials were recorded with reaction times from stimulus onset to movement start. While the two monkeys learned audio-initiated hand movements after the exercise, reaction times were recorded. The analyzed results were compared with those in the no-exercise group. It was found that the monkeys in the exercise group learned audio- initiated hand movements significantly in shorter time than those in the no-exercise group. Cortical field potentials were also recorded by electrodes implanted on the surface and at a 2.0-3.0 mm depth in the prefrontal and motor cortices in one monkey in the exercise group during learning processes of audio-initiated hand movements, and compared with those in the no-exercise group. Plastic changes in cortical field potentials related to recognition and skill learning of audio-initiated hand movements were found to develop in very shorter time in the exercise group than those in the non-exercise group. This suggests that physical exercise elevated cognitive functions in monkeys. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S157]
