Cognitive–exercise dual-task training delays natural aging/d-galactose-induced cognitive decline in mice

BACKGROUND: Cognitive–exercise dual-task training has been shown to enhance cognitive function through mechanisms such as suppression of chronic inflammation, reduction of oxidative stress, and enhancement of synaptic plasticity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the ability of dual-task training to delay aging-related cognitive decline remain incompletely understood. METHODS: Aged male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a 12-week intervention program consisting of cognitive training, exercise, or cognitive–exercise dual-task training. Cognitive and physical function were assessed using a battery of behavioral tests, including the open field test, elevated plus maze test, inverted grid test, wire hanging test, rotarod test, novel object recognition test, novel object localization test, eight-arm maze test, and Morris water maze test. Hippocampal aging and associated molecular changes were assessed using multiple techniques, including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. In addition, we established in vitro models of cellular senescence using D-galactose, RNA overexpression/silencing models utilizing siRNA, and Ephrin type-B receptor 2 (EphB2) inducer/inhibitor models to explore specific molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Age-related upregulation in microRNA (miR)-204 and downregulation in long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) were observed to disrupt Ephrin-B1 (EFNB1)/EphB2 interactions, leading to reduced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway activation. These alterations were implicated in the pathogenesis of aging-related cognitive decline. Timely interventions, especially cognitive–exercise dual-task, were found to attenuate these phenomena, thereby delaying the progression of aging-related cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: Timely intervention during the aging process can effectively delay the progression of cognitive decline. The effects of cognitive–exercise dual-task training may surpass those of single-task interventions with either cognitive training or exercise alone.