What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to investigate the effects of voluntary wheel running on ΔFOSB levels and brain connectivity in rats.

March 29, 2026Translational PsychiatryOpen Access

Brain-wide induction of ΔFOSB and altered co-activation networks in a rat model for exercise training

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Demonstrates altered co-activation networks after exercise training in male and female rats, indicating enhanced brain health implications.

The aim is to investigate the effects of voluntary wheel running on ΔFOSB levels and brain connectivity in rats.
Used voluntary wheel running as an exercise training model in male and female Wistar rats.
Quantified ΔFOSB induction in 44 brain regions via semi-automated immunoreactivity assessment.
Carried out network analysis to examine changes in co-activation patterns and network topology.
Four weeks of voluntary wheel running improved metabolic health in both males and females.
Females exhibited higher running activity compared to males.
VWR led to decreased network density but increased global efficiency in ΔFOSB co-activation networks in both sexes.
Notable shifts in network hierarchy towards cortical regions were observed.

Hardonk et al. (2026) studied this question.

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Demonstrates altered co-activation networks after exercise training in male and female rats, indicating enhanced brain health implications.