The Long-Term Effects of Diet and Exercise on Working Memory Performance in Long-Evans Rats

Concerns about the dietary and exercise behaviors of individuals in the United States and other Western nations have come under more scrutiny lately. The literature is beginning to show the deleterious effects that poor dietary choices and physical inactivity can have on working memory performance. This study used a sample of 28 male Long-Evans rats to examine the effects that two different diet conditions (beginning at 6 weeks of age) as well as two different exercise conditions (beginning at 12 weeks of age) had on working memory performance. Automated operant conditioning boxes were used to examine working memory on a delayed spatial alternation (DSA) task. Analysis of the results indicated the best performance in the DF-E group, particularly during the intermediate sessions and at longer delays. Such results suggest that a primarily plant-based diet coupled with regular exercise can enhance working memory performance