The impact of aerobic exercise training on cognitive function and gut microbiota in methamphetamine-dependent individuals in the community

Yuping Zhu; Jiang Zhu; Gang Song

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114302

The impact of aerobic exercise training on cognitive function and gut microbiota in methamphetamine-dependent individuals in the community

Physiol Behav. 2023 Oct 15:270:114302. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114302. Epub 2023 Jul 18.

Authors

Yuping Zhu¹, Jiang Zhu¹, Gang Song²

Affiliations

¹ Key Lab of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Motor Function Monitoring, College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
² Key Lab of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Motor Function Monitoring, College of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China. Electronic address: songgang@aliyun.com.

PMID: 37474085
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114302

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact and mechanism of gut microbiota on the enhancement of cognitive function in methamphetamine (MA)-dependent individuals during aerobic exercise training.

Methods: A total of sixty-four MA-dependent individuals were randomly assigned to either an aerobic exercise training group (DK, n = 32) or a conventional rehabilitation group (CK, n = 32). After an eight-week intervention, the participants' working memory and inhibition ability were assessed using the Stroop paradigm and Go/NoGo paradigm, respectively. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing.

Results: 1) Eight weeks of aerobic exercise training significantly improved the working memory and inhibition ability of MA-dependent individuals (P < 0.05). 2) Following the intervention, the DK group exhibited significantly higher levels of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus lactis, Prevotellaceae, and Ruminococcaceae compared to the CK group. Conversely, the DK group demonstrated significantly lower levels of Desulfovibrio and Akkermansia compared to the CK group. Furthermore, the DK group showed significantly increased metabolic pathways associated with d-Glutaralate and d-Galactate Degradation, as well as the Alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathway, compared to the control group. 3) Cognitive function related to MA addiction positively correlated with Bifidobacterium, Dialister, and Adlercreutzia, while negatively correlated with Enterobacteria, Bacillus cereus, Catabacter, and Akkermansia.

Conclusion: Aerobic exercise training enhances working memory and inhibition ability in MA-dependent individuals, thereby mitigating the detrimental effects of MA addiction on cognitive function. Additionally, analysis of gut microbiota suggests that the modulation of gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways play a role in regulating the improvement of cognitive function in MA-dependent individuals through exercise.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Gut microbiota; Inhibition ability; Methamphetamine; Relevance; Working memory.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cognition
Exercise / physiology
Exercise Therapy
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Methamphetamine*

Substances

Methamphetamine