Premorbid exercising in specific cognitive tasks prevents impairment of performance in parkinsonian monkeys

LIPINA, SEBASTIAN J.; COLOMBO, JORGE A.

BRAIN RESEARCH

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2007 vol. 1134 p. 180 - 186

0006-8993

Adult Cebus apella monkeys were exposed to either one, two or four series of cognitive tasks that place a demand on working memory and inhibitory control (Spatial Delayed Response and Object Retrieval Detour), before administration of the neurotoxin 1-methyl1-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Following MPTP treatment, monkeys receiving more than one series successfully reached criteria at delays similar to those attained during the pre-MPTP stage for the Spatial Delayed Response task, and avoided increased perseveration in the Object Retrieval Detour task. Results provide evidence that protection towards a neurotoxin in specific cognitive performances, can be increased by repeated exposure to task-specific cognitive demands, and that motor and cognitive impairment following MPTP treatment can be effectively dissociated in primates.