The Effects of Stress and Exercise on Learning and Memory

Authors

Teresa Nufer (St. Pierre), Brigham Young University
Jeffery G. Edwards, Brigham Young University

Keywords

stress, exercise, learning and memory

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Both stress and exercise have significant physiological effects. Researchers have studied these effects throughout the body, and current evidence suggests that exercise and stress also have profound effects on the brain. While stress decreases brain function, exercise has been show to enhance brain function. Recently, researchers have begun to investigate the effects of stress and exercise on the brain simultaneously, instead of studying the effects individually. Our lab has furthered these studies through the use of electrophysiology and behavioral experiments. Four groups of mice were studied: a control group, a group that experienced a chronic stress protocol, a group that experienced regular exercise for at least a month, and a group that experienced both stress and exercise.

Recommended Citation

Nufer (St. Pierre), Teresa and Edwards, Jeffery G. (2015) "The Effects of Stress and Exercise on Learning and Memory," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015: Iss. 1, Article 166.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/166