A045: Low-Intensity Voluntary Exercise Protects Against Depressive-Likeand Anxiety-Like Behaviors After Striatal Intracerebral Hemorrhage

<bold>Background/Purpose:</bold> This investigation delved into the effects and underlying mechanisms of low-intensity voluntary running on enhancing neurological functions and fostering emotional recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), offering insights into potential rehabilitation strategies. <bold>Methods:</bold> To simulate ICH, a collagenase-induced striatal model was employed in mice. Before undergoing ICH surgery, the mice underwent a week of acclimation to independent exercise, training at a pace of 10 to 12 m/min over 200 m sessions. Commencing the day after ICH induction, the mice participated in low-intensity voluntary running, covering 200m daily. Assessments of neurobehavioral deficits, emotional states (including depression and anxiety-like behaviors), and cognitive functions were conducted using various tests such as the NDS score, sugar water preference, tail suspension, forced swimming, open field, and new object recognition experiments. These assessments compared mice engaged in low-intensity voluntary exercise with those maintained under standard care post-ICH. Additionally, the study examined mitochondrial mass and the expression of fusion genes in nerve cells adjacent to the hematoma, utilizing western blotting techniques. <bold>Results:</bold> The study revealed that low-intensity voluntary running notably ameliorated anxiety, depression, and cognitive learning abilities in young mice. This was evidenced by an increased preference for sugar water, reduced immobility during the tail suspension and forced swimming tests, heightened activity in the central zone of open field tests, and an enhanced inclination for exploration in new object recognition tests (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, this exercise regimen was found to stimulate mitochondrial fusion in the cells surrounding the hematoma post-ICH (P &lt; 0.05). <bold>Conclusion/Discussion:</bold> Low-intensity voluntary running not only significantly mitigated neurological deficits and emotional distress post-ICH but also potentially improved the prognosis of ICH by promoting mitochondrial fusion in the nerve cells near the hematoma. This study underscores the potential of physical activity as a viable intervention for enhancing the rehabilitation of ICH patients, thus enhancing their quality of life and easing the burden on their families. This research paves the way for a deeper understanding of the rehabilitative processes following neurological injuries and stresses the importance of integrating physical activity into recovery protocols.