Exercise Ameliorates the Effects of Post-Stroke Compensatory Training in a Mouse Model

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. However, current rehabilitative therapies are insufficient in restoring pre-injury function. Previous research suggests that compensatory over-reliance on the less-impaired limb limits the recovery potential of the impaired limb. The current study utilized a mouse model of stroke to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise on the negative effects of compensatory limb training. Mice were trained preoperatively to establish skilled reaching behavior. Mice then received a unilateral ischemic stroke of the sensorimotor cortex. After lesion, reaching performance was assessed. Mice were divided into three groups: compensatory limb training (CLT), exercise and compensatory limb training (Ex-CLT), and control. CLT mice trained their less-impaired limb, Ex-CLT mice had access to running wheels and compensatory training. Subjects’ impaired limb was then assessed. Results indicate that aerobic exercise ameliorates the negative effects of compensatory limb training and permits functional recovery of the impaired limb when paired with focused training of the less-impaired limb. Therefore, aerobic activity may be an effective adjunctive therapy that extends the recovery potential of the impaired limb.