Moderate Exercise Stimulates PACAP-Mediated Neurogenesis in Rat Dentate Gyrus and Cerebellar Cortex.

ABSTRACT: Background: Moderate physical activity (PA) exerts powerful systemic and neuroprotective effects, reducing chronic disease risk and enhancing cognitive and psychological well-being. PA promotes brain plasticity by upregulating neurotrophic factors and stimulating neurogenesis. Given the established role of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) in neuronal survival, differentiation, and anti-apoptotic signaling, we aimed to investigate whether moderate PA modulates the endogenous expression of PACAP and its specific receptor PAC1R in the DG and cerebellar cortex. Methods: To this end, twenty-four rats were distributed into sedentary or exercise groups. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed to assess PACAP and PAC1R expression. Co-exp

SUBMITTER: Maugeri G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12821592 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature