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Kumar DS, Bodt BA, Galloway JC. Real-world environmental enrichment rehabilitation paradigm in people with severe traumatic brain injury: a pilot feasibility study. Brain Inj 2024; 38:742-749. [PMID: 38695288 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2347551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of Environmental Enrichment (EE) has been widely studied in animal models. However, the application of the same in humans is limited to rehabilitation settings. OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of a community-based EE paradigm in adults with brain injury. METHODS Six individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury enrolled in the study. The Go Baby Go Café instrumented with a body weight harness system, provided physical and social enrichment as participants performed functional tasks for 2 hours, three times a week, for 2 months. Feasibility and safety outcomes were recorded throughout sessions. Clinical measures including 10-meter walk, timed up and go, jebsen hand function, 6-minute walk, and trail making tests were obtained pre and post intervention. RESULTS All participants completed the study. The attendance was 100% and adherence was 87%. Positive changes in clinical measures were statistically significant for the timed up and go (p = 0.0175), TUG-cognitive (p = 0.0064), 10-meter walk (p = 0.0428), six-minute walk (p = 0.0196), TMT-A (p = 0.034). Changes in JHFT were not significant (p = 0.0506), with one subject recording values counter to the trend. CONCLUSION The Café was a comprehensive EE-based intervention that was feasible, safe, and has the potential to enhance motor and cognitive function in individuals with brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devina S Kumar
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA
| | | | - James C Galloway
- University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
- Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
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2
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The differential effects of brief environmental enrichment following social isolation in rats. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE, & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 22:818-832. [PMID: 35199313 PMCID: PMC8865499 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-00989-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Córneo E, Michels M, Abatti M, Vieira A, Gonçalves RC, Gabriel FF, Borges H, Goulart A, da Silva Matos N, Dominguini D, Varela R, Valvassori S, Dal-Pizzol F. Enriched environment causes epigenetic changes in hippocampus and improves long-term cognitive function in sepsis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11529. [PMID: 35798809 PMCID: PMC9262921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14660-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an inappropriate host response to infection. The presence of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in sepsis leads to dysregulated gene expression, leading to a hyperinflammatory response. Environmental conditions play an important role in various pathologies depending on the stimulus it presents. A standard environment condition (SE) may offer reduced sensory and cognitive stimulation, but an enriched environment improves spatial learning, prevents cognitive deficits induced by disease stress, and is an important modulator of epigenetic enzymes. The study evaluated the epigenetic alterations and the effects of the environmental enrichment (EE) protocol in the brain of animals submitted to sepsis by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Male Wistar rats were divided into sham and CLP at 24 h, 72 h, 10 days and 30 days after sepsis. Other male Wistar rats were distributed in a SE or in EE for forty-five days. Behavioral tests, analysis of epigenetic enzymes:histone acetylase (HAT), histone deacetylase (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), biochemical and synaptic plasticity analyzes were performed. An increase in HDAC and DNMT activities was observed at 72 h, 10 days and 30 days. There was a positive correlation between epigenetic enzymes DNMT and HDAC 24 h, 10 days and 30 days. After EE, HDAC and DNMT enzyme activity decreased, cognitive impairment was reversed, IL1-β levels decreased and there was an increase in PSD-95 levels in the hippocampus. Interventions in environmental conditions can modulate the outcomes of long-term cognitive consequences associated with sepsis, supporting the idea of the potential benefits of EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Córneo
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil.
| | - Monique Michels
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Mariane Abatti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Andriele Vieira
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Renata Casagrande Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Filipe Fernandes Gabriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Borges
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Amanda Goulart
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Natan da Silva Matos
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Diogo Dominguini
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
| | - Roger Varela
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Samira Valvassori
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Felipe Dal-Pizzol
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105, Criciúma, SC, 88806000, Brazil
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Balietti M, Conti F. Environmental enrichment and the aging brain: is it time for standardization? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 139:104728. [PMID: 35691473 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aging entails a progressive decline of cognitive abilities. However, since the brain is endowed with considerable plasticity, adequate stimulation can delay or partially compensate for age-related structural and functional impairment. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been reported to determine a wide range of cerebral changes. Although most findings have been obtained in young and adult animals, research has recently turned to aged individuals. Notably, EE can contribute identifying key lifestyle factors whose change can help extend the "mind-span", i.e., the time an individual lives in a healthy cognitive condition. Here we discuss specific methodological issues that can affect the outcomes of EE interventions applied to aged rodents, summarize the main variables that would need standardization (e.g., timing and duration, enrichment items, control animals and setting), and offer some suggestions on how this goal may be achieved. Reaching a consensus on EE experiment design would significantly reduce differences between and within laboratories, enable constructive discussions among researchers, and improve data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Balietti
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy; Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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5
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Hyun J, Hall CB, Katz MJ, Derby CA, Lipnicki DM, Crawford JD, Guaita A, Vaccaro R, Davin A, Kim KW, Han JW, Bae JB, Röhr S, Riedel-Heller S, Ganguli M, Jacobsen E, Hughes TF, Brodaty H, Kochan NA, Trollor J, Lobo A, Santabarbara J, Lopez-Anton R, Sachdev PS, Lipton RB. Education, Occupational Complexity, and Incident Dementia: A COSMIC Collaborative Cohort Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 85:179-196. [PMID: 34776437 PMCID: PMC8748312 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Education and occupational complexity are main sources of mental engagement during early life and adulthood respectively, but research findings are not conclusive regarding protective effects of these factors against late-life dementia. OBJECTIVE This project aimed to examine the unique contributions of education and occupational complexity to incident dementia, and to assess the mediating effects of occupational complexity on the association between education and dementia across diverse cohorts. METHOD We used data from 10,195 participants (median baseline age = 74.1, range = 58∼103), representing 9 international datasets from 6 countries over 4 continents. Using a coordinated analysis approach, the accelerated failure time model was applied to each dataset, followed by meta-analysis. In addition, causal mediation analyses were performed. RESULT The meta-analytic results indicated that both education and occupational complexity were independently associated with increased dementia-free survival time, with 28%of the effect of education mediated by occupational complexity. There was evidence of threshold effects for education, with increased dementia-free survival time associated with 'high school completion' or 'above high school' compared to 'middle school completion or below'. CONCLUSION Using datasets from a wide range of geographical regions, we found that both early life education and adulthood occupational complexity were independently predictive of dementia. Education and occupational experiences occur during early life and adulthood respectively, and dementia prevention efforts could thus be made at different stages of the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshil Hyun
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Charles B. Hall
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mindy J. Katz
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Carol A. Derby
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Darren M. Lipnicki
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John D. Crawford
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Ki Woong Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Ji Won Han
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Bin Bae
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Susanne Röhr
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Steffi Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole A. Kochan
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julian Trollor
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Antonio Lobo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Santabarbara
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Raul Lopez-Anton
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Universidad de Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
| | - Perminder S. Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard B. Lipton
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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6
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Bourdon E, Belmin J. Enriched gardens improve cognition and independence of nursing home residents with dementia: a pilot controlled trial. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2021; 13:116. [PMID: 34134758 PMCID: PMC8207740 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00849-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Dementia is a major issue worldwide, and considerable efforts were made to design therapeutic mediation tools and evaluate their benefits on the health of patients. Methods Design: Multi-center cluster-controlled pilot trial. Settings and participants: Four nursing homes that offered separated access to one conventional sensory garden (CSG) and one enriched garden (EG). The participants were residents with dementia, independent for walking and with no severe dementia or behavioural troubles. Eligible residents were divided into three groups according to the proximity of their room: close to the CSG or EG gardens for the first two groups and further from the gardens for the third (control) group. Interventions: We asked staff members to frequently invite residents to visit the EG or the CSG depending on their group allocation. No invitation to gardens was made to the control group. We installed 12 enrichment modules in the EG that stimulated cognitive, independence and walking/balance functions. Measures: Cognitive function (MMSE), independence for activities of daily living (ADL) and risk of falls (unipodal stance and timed up and go – (TUG)) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Results The 120 participants were 81·0 ± 3·5 years old and comprised of 83 women. Their MMSE score was 17·5 ± 2·9. Patients’ characteristics were not significantly different between the three groups. Among the participants invited to visit the EG group, 6-month changes in MMSE showed improvement compared to other groups (+ 0·93 ± 0·65 vs −0·25 ± 0·71 and −0·24 ± 0·73 in the EG vs CSG and control groups, respectively, P < 0·0001). Changes in ADL, TUG and unipodal stance were significantly improved in the group visiting the EG as compared to other groups, which indicates better functioning. Conclusions EGs offer a new approach to therapeutic mediation for residents of nursing homes with dementia. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-021-00849-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Bourdon
- Hôpital Charles Foix, Groupe hospitalier APHP.Sorbonne, 7 avenue de la République, 94200, Ivry-sur-Seine, France.,Laboratoire Education et Pratiques en Santé (LEPS), EA3412, Université Paris Sorbonne Nord, Bobigny, France
| | - Joël Belmin
- Hôpital Charles Foix, Groupe hospitalier APHP.Sorbonne, 7 avenue de la République, 94200, Ivry-sur-Seine, France. .,Faculté de Médecine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
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7
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Progressive Neurodegeneration Across Chronic Stages of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2021; 37:E144-E156. [PMID: 34145157 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the trajectory of structural gray matter changes across 2 chronic periods of recovery in individuals who have sustained severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), adding to the growing literature indicating that neurodegenerative processes occur in the months to years postinjury. PARTICIPANTS Patients who experienced posttraumatic amnesia of 1 hour or more, and/or scored 12 or less on the Glasgow Coma Scale at the emergency department or the scene of the accident, and/or had positive brain imaging findings were recruited while receiving inpatient care, resulting in 51 patients with severe TBI. METHODS Secondary analyses of gray matter changes across approximately 5 months, 1 year, and 2.5 years postinjury were undertaken, using an automated segmentation protocol with improved accuracy in populations with morphological anomalies. We compared patients and matched controls on regions implicated in poorer long-term clinical outcome (accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, hippocampus, thalamus). To model brain-wide patterns of change, we then conducted an exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) on the linear slopes of all regional volumes across the 3 time points. Finally, we assessed nonlinear trends across earlier (5 months-1 year) versus later (1-2.5 years) time-windows with PCA to compare degeneration rates across time. Chronic degeneration was predicted cortically and subcortically brain-wide, and within specific regions of interest. RESULTS (1) From 5 months to 1 year, patients showed significant degeneration in the accumbens, and marginal degeneration in the amygdala, brainstem, thalamus, and the left hippocampus when examined unilaterally, compared with controls. (2) PCA components representing subcortical and temporal regions, and regions from the basal ganglia, significantly differed from controls in the first time-window. (3) Progression occurred at the same rate across both time-windows, suggesting neither escalation nor attenuation of degeneration across time. CONCLUSION Localized yet progressive decline emphasizes the necessity of developing interventions to offset degeneration and improve long-term functioning.
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McQuail JA, Dunn AR, Stern Y, Barnes CA, Kempermann G, Rapp PR, Kaczorowski CC, Foster TC. Cognitive Reserve in Model Systems for Mechanistic Discovery: The Importance of Longitudinal Studies. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:607685. [PMID: 33551788 PMCID: PMC7859530 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.607685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this review article is to provide a resource for longitudinal studies, using animal models, directed at understanding and modifying the relationship between cognition and brain structure and function throughout life. We propose that forthcoming longitudinal studies will build upon a wealth of knowledge gleaned from prior cross-sectional designs to identify early predictors of variability in cognitive function during aging, and characterize fundamental neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the vulnerability to, and the trajectory of, cognitive decline. Finally, we present examples of biological measures that may differentiate mechanisms of the cognitive reserve at the molecular, cellular, and network level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A. McQuail
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Amy R. Dunn
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | - Yaakov Stern
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carol A. Barnes
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Gerd Kempermann
- CRTD—Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers (HZ), Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter R. Rapp
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging Section, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Thomas C. Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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9
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Biel D, Steiger TK, Volkmann T, Jochems N, Bunzeck N. The gains of a 4-week cognitive training are not modulated by novelty. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:2596-2610. [PMID: 32180305 PMCID: PMC7294066 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive training should not only improve performance of the trained task, but also untrained abilities. Exposure to novelty can improve subsequent memory performance, suggesting that novelty exposure might be a critical factor to promote the effects of cognitive training. Therefore, we combined a 4‐week working memory training with novelty exposure. Neuropsychological tests and MRI data were acquired before and after training to analyze behavior and changes in gray matter volume, myelination, and iron levels. In total, 83 healthy older humans participated in one of three groups: Two groups completed a 4‐week computerized cognitive training of a two‐back working memory task, either in combination with novel or with familiarized nature movies. A third group did not receive any training. As expected, both training groups showed improvements in task specific working memory performance and reaction times. However, there were no transfer or novelty effects on fluid intelligence, verbal memory, digit‐span, and executive functions. At the neural level, no significant micro‐ or macrostructural changes emerged in either group. Our findings suggest that working memory training in healthy older adults is associated with task‐specific improvements, but these gains do not transfer to other cognitive domains, and it does not lead to structural brain changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davina Biel
- Institute of Psychology I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tineke K Steiger
- Institute of Psychology I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Torben Volkmann
- Institute for Multimedia and Interactive Systems, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nicole Jochems
- Institute for Multimedia and Interactive Systems, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nico Bunzeck
- Institute of Psychology I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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10
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Febo M, Rani A, Yegla B, Barter J, Kumar A, Wolff CA, Esser K, Foster TC. Longitudinal Characterization and Biomarkers of Age and Sex Differences in the Decline of Spatial Memory. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:34. [PMID: 32153384 PMCID: PMC7044155 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The current longitudinal study examined factors (sex, physical function, response to novelty, ability to adapt to a shift in light/dark cycle, brain connectivity), which might predict the emergence of impaired memory during aging. Male and female Fisher 344 rats were tested at 6, 12, and 18 months of age. Impaired spatial memory developed in middle-age (12 months), particularly in males, and the propensity for impairment increased with advanced age. A reduced response to novelty was observed over the course of aging, which is inconsistent with cross-sectional studies. This divergence likely resulted from differences in the history of environmental enrichment/impoverishment for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Animals that exhibited lower level exploration of the inner region on the open field test exhibited better memory at 12 months. Furthermore, males that exhibited a longer latency to enter a novel environment at 6 months, exhibited better memory at 12 months. For females, memory at 12 months was correlated with the ability to behaviorally adapt to a shift in light/dark cycle. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, conducted at 12 months, indicated that the decline in memory was associated with altered functional connectivity within different memory systems, most notably between the hippocampus and multiple regions such as the retrosplenial cortex, thalamus, striatum, and amygdala. Overall, some factors, specifically response to novelty at an early age and the capacity to adapt to shifts in light cycle, predicted spatial memory in middle-age, and spatial memory is associated with corresponding changes in brain connectivity. We discuss similarities and differences related to previous longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, as well as the role of sex differences in providing a theoretical framework to guide future longitudinal research on the trajectory of cognitive decline. In addition to demonstrating the power of longitudinal studies, these data highlight the importance of middle-age for identifying potential predictive indicators of sexual dimorphism in the trajectory in brain and cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Asha Rani
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Brittney Yegla
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jolie Barter
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Christopher A Wolff
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Karyn Esser
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Thomas C Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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11
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Memory deterioration based on the tobacco smoke exposure and methylazoxymethanol acetate administration vs. aripiprazole, olanzapine and enrichment environment conditions. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 189:172855. [PMID: 31954117 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Enrichment environment conditions, as well as tobacco smoke exposure, may affect cognitive function (e.g. spatial memory) in an animal model of schizophrenia and schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to find whether spatial memory function impairment is found in methylazoxymethanol acetate treated rats (an animal model of schizophrenia) and whether aripiprazole (1.5 mg/kg) and olanzapine (0.5 mg/kg) modify these functions. We also were able to determine whether tobacco smoke exposure and enrichment environment conditions have an impact on drug efficacy. The effect of methylazoxymethanol acetate, tobacco smoke exposure, enrichment environment and the use of drugs were studied in the Morris Water Maze test (spatial memory). The results of our study clearly show that enriched environment may have a procognitive effect while tobacco smoke and methylazoxymethanol acetate have a contradictory effect. This paper also confirmed that the use of neuroleptics, namely ARI and OLA, reduced the process of spatial memory deterioration tested in the Morris water maze both in terms of the number of escape latencies and crossed quadrants.
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12
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Moradi-Kor N, Ghanbari A, Rashidipour H, Yousefi B, Bandegi AR, Rashidy-Pour A. Beneficial effects of Spirulina platensis, voluntary exercise and environmental enrichment against adolescent stress induced deficits in cognitive functions, hippocampal BDNF and morphological remolding in adult female rats. Horm Behav 2019; 112:20-31. [PMID: 30917909 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to stress during adolescent period has been demonstrated to impair cognitive functions and the dendritic morphology of pyramidal neurons in the rat hippocampal CA3 area. The present study investigated the combined protective effects of Spirulina platensis (SP), a supplement made from blue-green algae with neuroprotective properties, voluntary exercise (EX) and environmental enrichment (EE) against cognitive deficits, alternations in hippocampal BDNF levels, and abnormal neuronal remodeling in adult female rats (PND 60) induced by exposure to chronic restraint stress during adolescent period (PND 30-40). Rats were exposed to restraint stress (2 h/day for 10 days, PND 30-40). Then, the animals were subjected to treatment with SP (200 mg/kg/day), EX, EE and the combined treatments (SP + EX, and SP + EE) between PND 41 and 55 of age. Following the interventions, spatial learning and memory, passive avoidance performance, hippocampal dendritic morphology and BDNF levels were assessed. Results showed that plasma corticosterone levels increased at PND 40 and remained elevated at PND 55 and 70 in the stressed rats. Stressed rats showed deficits in spatial learning and memory and passive avoidance performance, decreased BDNF levels in the hippocampus, and reduced apical dendritic length and branch points of the CA3 pyramidal neurons. These deficits were alleviated by the SP, EX and EE, and the combined treatments, which accompanied with a decline in serum corticosterone in stressed animals. Some treatments even enhanced cognitive functions, and BDNF levels and neuroanatomical remodeling in the hippocampus of non-stressed animals. Our findings provide important evidences that physical activity, exposure to EE, and the SP treatment during adolescent period can protect against adolescent stress induced behavioral, biochemical and neuroanatomical impairments in adulthood.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Avoidance Learning/drug effects
- Avoidance Learning/physiology
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism
- Cell Extracts/pharmacology
- Cognition/drug effects
- Cognition/physiology
- Cognition Disorders/etiology
- Cognition Disorders/pathology
- Cognition Disorders/physiopathology
- Cognition Disorders/prevention & control
- Conditioning, Psychological/drug effects
- Conditioning, Psychological/physiology
- Female
- Hippocampus/drug effects
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Hippocampus/pathology
- Hippocampus/physiopathology
- Memory/drug effects
- Memory/physiology
- Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects
- Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Restraint, Physical/physiology
- Restraint, Physical/psychology
- Sexual Maturation/drug effects
- Sexual Maturation/physiology
- Social Environment
- Spatial Learning/drug effects
- Spirulina/chemistry
- Stress, Psychological/complications
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/pathology
- Stress, Psychological/psychology
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasroallah Moradi-Kor
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hadi Rashidipour
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran
| | - Behpour Yousefi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Laboratory of Endocrine Research, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Harsányiová M, Prokop P. Living condition, weight loss and cognitive decline among people with dementia. Nurs Open 2018; 5:275-284. [PMID: 30062020 PMCID: PMC6056446 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate cognitive performance and BMI of patients with dementia living in their own homes with family members, nursing homes and alone. DESIGN A prospective observational cohort study with a quantitative design. METHOD Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores and BMI were examined with a sample of Slovak patients (N = 428). Patients were followed up 12 months later after the first examination. RESULTS Cognitive decline was significantly faster for patients living in nursing homes and for solitary patients. BMI consistently decreased in the follow-up examination and this drop was stronger in patients living alone and in nursing homes. Patients with VaD manifested a stronger BMI decline as compared with AD patients. This study suggests that impoverished conditions such as nursing homes or social isolation of solitary people contribute to stronger progress in dementia. Healthcare professionals need to implement meaningful activities for institutionalized people and for people who are living alone to eliminate the negative impact of an impowerished environment on patient's cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavol Prokop
- Faculty of EducationDepartment of BiologyTrnava UniversityTrnavaSlovakia
- Institute of ZoologySlovak Academy of SciencesBratislavaSlovakia
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14
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Ji MH, Tang H, Luo D, Qiu LL, Jia M, Yuan HM, Feng SW, Yang JJ. Environmental conditions differentially affect neurobehavioral outcomes in a mouse model of sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Oncotarget 2017; 8:82376-82389. [PMID: 29137271 PMCID: PMC5669897 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain dysfunction remains a common complication after sepsis development and is an independent risk factor for a poorer prognosis and an increased mortality. Here we tested the hypothesis that the behavioral outcomes after lipopolysaccharides (LPS) administration are exacerbated by an impoverished environment (IE) and alleviated by an enriched environment (EE), respectively. Mice were randomly allocated in a standard environment (SE), an EE, or an IE for 4 weeks after LPS or normal saline (NS) administration. Neurobehavioral alternations were assessed by the open field, novel objective recognition, and fear conditioning tests. The expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (IBA1)-positive cells as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine-labeled cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, and the number of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 were determined. Our results showed that the some of the neurocognitive abnormalities induced by LPS administration can be aggravated by stressful conditions such as IE but alleviated by EE. These neurocognitive alternations were accompanied by significant changes in biomarkers of immune response and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In summary, our study confirmed the negative impact of IE and the positive effects of EE on the cognitive function after LPS administration, with potential implications to the basis of sepsis-related cognitive impairments in the critically ill patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Huo Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Li Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Jia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong-Mei Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shan-Wu Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian-Jun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Diniz DG, de Oliveira MA, de Lima CM, Fôro CAR, Sosthenes MCK, Bento-Torres J, da Costa Vasconcelos PF, Anthony DC, Diniz CWP. Age, environment, object recognition and morphological diversity of GFAP-immunolabeled astrocytes. Behav Brain Funct 2016; 12:28. [PMID: 27719674 PMCID: PMC5056502 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-016-0111-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies have explored the glial response to a standard environment and how the response may be associated with age-related cognitive decline in learning and memory. Here we investigated aging and environmental influences on hippocampal-dependent tasks and on the morphology of an unbiased selected population of astrocytes from the molecular layer of dentate gyrus, which is the main target of perforant pathway. Results Six and twenty-month-old female, albino Swiss mice were housed, from weaning, in a standard or enriched environment, including running wheels for exercise and tested for object recognition and contextual memories. Young adult and aged subjects, independent of environment, were able to distinguish familiar from novel objects. All experimental groups, except aged mice from standard environment, distinguish stationary from displaced objects. Young adult but not aged mice, independent of environment, were able to distinguish older from recent objects. Only young mice from an enriched environment were able to distinguish novel from familiar contexts. Unbiased selected astrocytes from the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus were reconstructed in three-dimensions and classified using hierarchical cluster analysis of bimodal or multimodal morphological features. We found two morphological phenotypes of astrocytes and we designated type I the astrocytes that exhibited significantly higher values of morphological complexity as compared with type II. Complexity = [Sum of the terminal orders + Number of terminals] × [Total branch length/Number of primary branches]. On average, type I morphological complexity seems to be much more sensitive to age and environmental influences than that of type II. Indeed, aging and environmental impoverishment interact and reduce the morphological complexity of type I astrocytes at a point that they could not be distinguished anymore from type II. Conclusions We suggest these two types of astrocytes may have different physiological roles and that the detrimental effects of aging on memory in mice from a standard environment may be associated with a reduction of astrocytes morphological diversity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12993-016-0111-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Guerreiro Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil.,Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Marcus Augusto de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil
| | - Camila Mendes de Lima
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil
| | - César Augusto Raiol Fôro
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil
| | - Marcia Consentino Kronka Sosthenes
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil
| | - João Bento-Torres
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Clive Anthony
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações Em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus 4487, Guamá, Belém, Pará, CEP 66073-000, Brazil. .,Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK.
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16
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Effects of environmental enrichment in aged mice on anxiety-like behaviors and neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in the brain. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:635-640. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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17
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Hamson DK, Roes MM, Galea LAM. Sex Hormones and Cognition: Neuroendocrine Influences on Memory and Learning. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1295-337. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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de Macedo LDED, De Oliveira TCG, Soares FC, Bento-Torres J, Bento-Torres NVO, Anthony DC, Picanço-Diniz CW. Beneficial effects of multisensory and cognitive stimulation in institutionalized elderly: 12-months follow-up. Clin Interv Aging 2015; 10:1351-9. [PMID: 26316730 PMCID: PMC4547661 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s80997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of a multisensory and cognitive stimulation program, consisting of 48 sessions, twice a week, to improve the cognition of elderly subjects living either in long-term care institutions (institutionalized – I) or in communities with their families (noninstitutionalized – NI). In the present study, we evaluated these subjects after the end of the intervention and compared the rate of age-related cognitive decline of those living in an enriched community environment (NI group, n=15, 74.1±3.9 years old) with those living in the impoverished environment of long-term care institutions (I group, n=20, 75.1±6.8 years old). Both groups participated fully in our stimulation program. Over 1 year, we conducted revaluations at five time points (2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, and 12 months) after the completion of the intervention. Both elderly groups were evaluated with the mini-mental state examination and selected language tests. Progressive cognitive decline was observed in both groups over the period. Indeed, it took only 4–6 months after the end of the stimulation program for significant reductions in language test scores to become apparent. However, earlier reductions in test scores were mainly associated with I group, and linguistic prosody test scores were significantly affected by institutionalization and time, two variables that interacted and reduced these scores. Moreover, I group reduced the Montréal cognitive assessment battery language tests scores 4 months before NI group. It remains to be investigated what mechanisms may explain the earlier and more intense language losses in institutionalized elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Dias E Dias de Macedo
- Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil
| | - Thaís Cristina Galdino De Oliveira
- Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Cabral Soares
- Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil
| | - João Bento-Torres
- Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil ; College of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Para, Belem, Para, Brazil
| | - Natáli Valim Oliver Bento-Torres
- Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil ; College of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Para, Belem, Para, Brazil
| | - Daniel Clive Anthony
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço-Diniz
- Laboratory of Investigations in Neurodegeneration and Infection, Institute of Biological Sciences, University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Para, Brazil
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19
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Tomaszczyk JC, Green NL, Frasca D, Colella B, Turner GR, Christensen BK, Green REA. Negative neuroplasticity in chronic traumatic brain injury and implications for neurorehabilitation. Neuropsychol Rev 2014; 24:409-27. [PMID: 25421811 PMCID: PMC4250564 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-014-9273-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Based on growing findings of brain volume loss and deleterious white matter alterations during the chronic stages of injury, researchers posit that moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) may act to “age” the brain by reducing reserve capacity and inducing neurodegeneration. Evidence that these changes correlate with poorer cognitive and functional outcomes corroborates this progressive characterization of chronic TBI. Borrowing from a framework developed to explain cognitive aging (Mahncke et al., Progress in Brain Research, 157, 81–109, 2006a; Mahncke et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103(33), 12523–12528, 2006b), we suggest here that environmental factors (specifically environmental impoverishment and cognitive disuse) contribute to a downward spiral of negative neuroplastic change that may modulate the brain changes described above. In this context, we review new literature supporting the original aging framework, and its extrapolation to chronic TBI. We conclude that negative neuroplasticity may be one of the mechanisms underlying cognitive and neural decline in chronic TBI, but that there are a number of points of intervention that would permit mitigation of this decline and better long-term clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Tomaszczyk
- Research Department, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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20
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Bialystok E, Poarch G. Language Experience Changes Language and Cognitive Ability. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ERZIEHUNGSWISSENSCHAFT : ZFE 2014; 17:433-446. [PMID: 25435805 PMCID: PMC4243303 DOI: 10.1007/s11618-014-0491-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The sustained use of two languages by bilinguals has been shown to induce broad changes in language and cognitive abilities across the lifespan. The largest changes are seen as advantages in executive control, a set of processes responsible for controlled attention, inhibition, and shifting. Moreover, there is evidence that these executive control advantages mitigate cognitive decline in older age and contribute to cognitive reserve. In this paper, we examine some of the evidence for these findings and explain their relation to bilingual language use. These effects are considered in terms of their implications for our understanding of cognitive and brain plasticity. Some implications for social policy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Bialystok
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto M3J 1P3, Ontario
| | - Gregory Poarch
- Department of English Linguistics, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 50, 72074 Tübingen, Deutschland
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Bondi CO, Klitsch KC, Leary JB, Kline AE. Environmental enrichment as a viable neurorehabilitation strategy for experimental traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 2014; 31:873-88. [PMID: 24555571 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2014.3328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) emerged as a robust independent variable capable of influencing behavioral outcome in experimental studies after the fortuitous observation by renowned neuropsychologist Donald O. Hebb that rats raised as pets in his home performed markedly better on problem-solving tasks than those kept in the laboratory. In the subsequent years, numerous studies ensued demonstrating that EE was also capable of inducing neuroplasticity in normal (i.e., noninjured) rats. These behavioral and neural alterations provided the impetus for investigating EE as a potential therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI), which, over the past two decades, has resulted in several reports. Hence, the aim of this review is to integrate the findings and present the current state of EE as a viable neurorehabilitation strategy for TBI. Using the specific key term searches "traumatic brain injury" and "environmental enrichment" or "enriched environment," 30 and 30 experimental TBI articles were identified by PubMed and Scopus, respectively. Of these, 27 articles were common to both search engines. An additional article was found on PubMed using the key terms "enriched environment" and "fluid percussion." A review of the bibliographies in the 34 articles did not yield additional citations. The overwhelming consensus of the 34 publications is that EE benefits behavioral and histological outcome after brain injury produced by various models. Further, the enhancements are observed in male and female as well as adult and pediatric rats and mice. Taken together, these cumulative findings provide strong support for EE as a generalized and robust preclinical model of neurorehabilitation. However, to further enhance the model and to more accurately mimic the clinic, future studies should continue to evaluate EE during more rehabilitation-relevant conditions, such as delayed and shorter time periods, as well as in combination with other therapeutic approaches, as we have been doing for the past few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina O Bondi
- 1 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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22
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Yang S, Lu W, Zhou DS, Tang Y. Four-month enriched environment prevents myelinated fiber loss in the white matter during normal aging of male rats. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:1263-72. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0721-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Effects of education on cognition at older ages: evidence from China's Great Famine. Soc Sci Med 2013; 98:54-62. [PMID: 24331882 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper explores whether educational attainment has a cognitive reserve capacity in elder life. Using pilot data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we examined the impact of education on cognitive abilities at old ages. OLS results showed that respondents who completed primary school obtained 18.2 percent higher scores on cognitive tests than those who did not. We then constructed an instrumental variable (IV) by leveraging China's Great Famine of 1959-1961 as a natural experiment to estimate the causal effect of education on cognition. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) results provided sound evidence that completing primary school significantly increases cognition scores, especially in episode memory, by almost 20 percent on average. Moreover, Regression Discontinuity (RD) analysis provides further evidence for the causal interpretation, and shows that the effects are different for the different measures of cognition we explored. Our results also show that the Great Famine can result in long-term health consequences through the pathway of losing educational opportunities other than through the pathway of nutrition deprivation.
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System consolidation of spatial memories in mice: effects of enriched environment. Neural Plast 2013; 2013:956312. [PMID: 23936679 PMCID: PMC3723323 DOI: 10.1155/2013/956312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is known to enhance learning and memory. Declarative memories are thought to undergo a first rapid and local consolidation process, followed by a prolonged process of system consolidation, which consist in a time-dependent gradual reorganization of brain regions supporting remote memory storage and crucial for the formation of enduring memories. At present, it is not known whether EE can affect the process of declarative memory system consolidation. We characterized the time course of hippocampal and cortical activation following recall of progressively more remote spatial memories. Wild-type mice either exposed to EE for 40 days or left in standard environment were subjected to spatial learning in the Morris water maze and to the probe test 1, 10, 20, 30, and 50 days after learning. Following the probe test, regional expression of the inducible immediate early gene c-Fos was mapped by immunohistochemistry, as an indicator of neuronal activity. We found that activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), suggested to have a privileged role in processing remote spatial memories, was evident at shorter time intervals after learning in EE mice; in addition, EE induced the progressive activation of a distributed cortical network not activated in non-EE mice. This suggests that EE not only accelerates the process of mPFC recruitment but also recruits additional cortical areas into the network supporting remote spatial memories.
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Mendes FDCCDS, de Almeida MNF, Felício APG, Fadel AC, Silva DDJ, Borralho TG, da Silva RP, Bento-Torres J, Vasconcelos PFDC, Perry VH, Ramos EMLS, Picanço-Diniz CW, Sosthenes MCK. Enriched environment and masticatory activity rehabilitation recover spatial memory decline in aged mice. BMC Neurosci 2013; 14:63. [PMID: 23805920 PMCID: PMC3706212 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-14-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To measure the impact of masticatory reduction on learning and memory, previous studies have produced experimental masticatory reduction by modified diet or molar removal. Here we induced spatial learning impairment in mice by reducing masticatory activity and then tested the effect of a combination of environmental enrichment and masticatory rehabilitation in recovering spatial learning at adulthood and in later life. For 6 months (6M) or 18 months (18M), we fed three groups of mice from postnatal day 21 respectively with a hard diet (HD) of pellets; pellets followed by a powdered, soft diet (HD/SD, divided into equal periods); or pellets followed by powder, followed by pellets again (HD/SD/HD, divided into equal periods). To mimic sedentary or active lifestyles, half of the animals from each group were raised from weaning in standard cages (impoverished environment; IE) and the other half in enriched cages (enriched environment; EE). To evaluate spatial learning, we used the Morris water maze. Results IE6M-HD/SD mice showed lower learning rates compared with control (IE6M-HD) or masticatory rehabilitated (IE6MHD/SD/HD) animals. Similarly, EE-HD/SD mice independent of age showed lower performance than controls (EE-HD) or rehabilitated mice (EE-HD/SD/HD). However, combined rehabilitation and EE in aged mice improved learning rate up to control levels. Learning rates did not correlate with swim speed. Conclusions Reduction in masticatory activity imposed on mice previously fed a hard diet (HD/SD) impaired spatial learning in the Morris water maze. In adults, masticatory rehabilitation recovered spatial abilities in both sedentary and active mice, and rehabilitation of masticatory activity combined with EE recovered these losses in aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabíola de Carvalho Chaves de Siqueira Mendes
- Universidade Federal do Pará/UFPA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Rua dos Mundurucus, 4487 - Guamá Belém, Pará, Brasil
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Frasca D, Tomaszczyk J, McFadyen BJ, Green RE. Traumatic brain injury and post-acute decline: what role does environmental enrichment play? A scoping review. Front Hum Neurosci 2013; 7:31. [PMID: 23616755 PMCID: PMC3628363 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: While a growing number of studies provide evidence of neural and cognitive decline in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors during the post-acute stages of injury, there is limited research as of yet on environmental factors that may influence this decline. The purposes of this paper, therefore, are to (1) examine evidence that environmental enrichment (EE) can influence long-term outcome following TBI, and (2) examine the nature of post-acute environments, whether they vary in degree of EE, and what impact these variations have on outcomes. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to identify studies on EE in animals and humans, and post-discharge experiences that relate to barriers to recovery. Results: One hundred and twenty-three articles that met inclusion criteria demonstrated the benefits of EE on brain and behavior in healthy and brain-injured animals and humans. Nineteen papers on post-discharge experiences revealed that variables such as insurance coverage, financial, and social support, home therapy, and transition from hospital to home, can have an impact on clinical outcomes. Conclusion: There is evidence to suggest that lack of EE, whether from lack of resources or limited ability to engage in such environments, may play a role in post-acute cognitive and neural decline. Maximizing EE in the post-acute stages of TBI may improve long-term outcomes for the individual, their family and society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Frasca
- Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada ; Cognitive Neurorehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Toronto, ON, Canada
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Adam S, Bonsang E, Grotz C, Perelman S. Occupational activity and cognitive reserve: implications in terms of prevention of cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease. Clin Interv Aging 2013; 8:377-90. [PMID: 23671387 PMCID: PMC3650883 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s39921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship between the concept of activity (including both professional and nonprofessional) and cognitive functioning among older European individuals. In this research, we used data collected during the first wave of SHARE (Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), and a measurement approach known as stochastic frontier analysis, derived from the economic literature. SHARE includes a large population (n > 25,000) geographically distributed across Europe, and analyzes several dimensions simultaneously, including physical and mental health activity. The main advantages of stochastic frontier analysis are that it allows estimation of parametric function relating cognitive scores and driving factors at the boundary and disentangles frontier noise and distance to frontier components, as well as testing the effect of potential factors on these distances simultaneously. The analysis reveals that all activities are positively related to cognitive functioning in elderly people. Our results are discussed in terms of prevention of cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease, and regarding the potential impact that some retirement programs might have on cognitive functioning in individuals across Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Adam
- Unité de Psychologie de la Sénescence, University of Liège, Belgium.
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Yang S, Li C, Qiu X, Zhang L, Lu W, Chen L, Zhao Y, Shi X, Huang C, Cheng G, Tang Y. Effects of an enriched environment on myelin sheaths in the white matter of rats during normal aging: A stereological study. Neuroscience 2013; 234:13-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 12/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an aspect of cognitive aging that is considered to be a transitional state between normal aging and the dementia into which it may convert. Appropriate animal models are necessary in order to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of MCI and develop drugs for its treatment. In this review, we identify the features that should characterize an animal model of MCI, namely old age, subtle memory impairment, mild neuropathological changes, and changes in the cholinergic system, and the age at which these features can be detected in laboratory animals. These features should occur in aging animals with normal motor activity and feeding behavior. The animal models may be middle-aged rats and mice, rats with brain ischemia, transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 (tested at an early stage), or aging monkeys. Memory deficits can be detected by selecting appropriately difficult behavioral tasks, and the deficits can be associated with neuropathological alterations. The reviewed literature demonstrates that, under certain conditions, these animal species can be considered to be MCI models, and that cognitive impairment in these models responds to drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Pepeu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Buitenweg JIV, Murre JMJ, Ridderinkhof KR. Brain training in progress: a review of trainability in healthy seniors. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 6:183. [PMID: 22737115 PMCID: PMC3380254 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The cognitive deterioration associated with aging is accompanied by structural alterations and loss of functionality of the frontostriatal dopamine system. The question arises how such deleterious cognitive effects could be countered. Brain training, currently highly popular among young and old alike, promises that users will improve on certain neurocognitive skills, and this has indeed been confirmed in a number of studies. Based on these results, it seems reasonable to expect beneficial effects of brain training in the elderly as well. A selective review of the existing literature suggests, however, that the results are neither robust nor consistent, and that transfer and sustained effects thus far appear limited. Based on this review, we argue for a series of elements that hold potential for progress in successful types of brain training: (1) including flexibility and novelty as features of the training, (2) focusing on a number of promising, yet largely unexplored domains, such as decision-making and memory strategy training, and (3) tailoring the training adaptively to the level and progress of the individual. We also emphasize the need for covariance-based MRI methods in linking structural and functional changes in the aging brain to individual differences in neurocognitive efficiency and trainability in order to further uncover the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaap M. J. Murre
- Department of Psychology, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - K. Richard Ridderinkhof
- Department of Psychology, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Cognitive Science Center Amsterdam, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
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De Vreese LP, Mantesso U, De Bastiani E, Weger E, Marangoni AC, Gomiero T. Impact of Dementia-derived Nonpharmacological Intervention Procedures on Cognition and Behavior in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A 3-year Follow-up Study. JOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2012.00344.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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32
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A glass full of optimism: Enrichment effects on cognitive bias in a rat model of depression. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2012; 12:527-42. [DOI: 10.3758/s13415-012-0101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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33
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Qiu X, Huang CX, Lu W, Yang S, Li C, Shi XY, Chen L, Xiu Y, Yang JQ, Tang Y. Effects of a 4 month enriched environment on the hippocampus and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus of middle-aged rats. Brain Res 2012; 1465:26-33. [PMID: 22627162 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 05/01/2012] [Accepted: 05/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
An enriched environment has been shown to enhance learning and memory and to induce morphological changes in the hippocampus. In the present study, 14-month (middle-aged) female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into enriched environment (EE) rats and standard environment (SE) rats. EE rats were reared in an enriched environment and SE rats were reared in a standard environment for 4 months. The spatial learning capacity was assessed with Morris water maze. The hippocampus and the myelinated fibers in the rat hippocampus were quantitatively investigated with a transmission electronic microscope technique and stereological methods. The female rats housed in an enriched environment showed improved performance in the Morris water maze. There was no significant difference in the total volume of hippocampus between SE rats and EE rats. The total length and total volume of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus of the female and male EE rats were significantly increased, respectively, when compared to the female and male SE rats. The increase of the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampus was mainly due to the increase of the myelinated fibers with diameters from 0.5 to 0.9 μm. Our results showed that a 4 month enriched environment had significant effects on the spatial learning capacity and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus of middle-aged rats. The present study might provide an important theoretical basis for searching for an ethological strategy to delay the progress of brain aging in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Qiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
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Freret T, Billard JM, Schumann-Bard P, Dutar P, Dauphin F, Boulouard M, Bouet V. Rescue of cognitive aging by long-lasting environmental enrichment exposure initiated before median lifespan. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:1005.e1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Revised: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Bonsang E, Adam S, Perelman S. Does retirement affect cognitive functioning? JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS 2012; 31:490-501. [PMID: 22538324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2012.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This paper analyses the effect of retirement on cognitive functioning using a longitudinal survey among older Americans, which allows controlling for individual heterogeneity and endogeneity of the retirement decision by using the eligibility age for social security as an instrument. The results highlight a significant negative effect of retirement on cognitive functioning. Our findings suggest that reforms aimed at promoting labour force participation at an older age may not only ensure the sustainability of social security systems but may also create positive health externalities for older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Bonsang
- Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, NL-6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Hacquemand R, Jacquot L, Brand G. Postnatal exposure to predator odor (TMT) enhances spatial learning in mice adulthood. Behav Brain Res 2012; 229:113-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Carulli D, Foscarin S, Rossi F. Activity-dependent plasticity and gene expression modifications in the adult CNS. Front Mol Neurosci 2011; 4:50. [PMID: 22144945 PMCID: PMC3226246 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2011.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 11/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Information processing, memory formation, or functional recovery after nervous system damage depend on the ability of neurons to modify their functional properties or their connections. At the cellular/molecular level, structural modifications of neural circuits are finely regulated by intrinsic neuronal properties and growth-regulatory cues in the extracellular milieu. Recently, it has become clear that stimuli coming from the external world, which comprise sensory inflow, motor activity, cognitive elaboration, or social interaction, not only provide the involved neurons with instructive information needed to shape connection patterns to sustain adaptive function, but also exert a powerful influence on intrinsic and extrinsic growth-related mechanisms, so to create permissive conditions for neuritic remodeling. Here, we present an overview of recent findings concerning the effects of experience on molecular mechanisms underlying CNS structural plasticity, both in physiological conditions and after damage, with particular focus on activity-dependent modulation of growth-regulatory genes and epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Carulli
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute of Turin, University of TurinTurin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri-Ottolenghi, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Simona Foscarin
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute of Turin, University of TurinTurin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri-Ottolenghi, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Rossi
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute of Turin, University of TurinTurin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri-Ottolenghi, University of TurinTurin, Italy
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38
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The effects of short-term enriched environment on capillaries of the middle-aged rat cortex. Neurosci Lett 2011; 505:186-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 10/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Kumar A, Rani A, Tchigranova O, Lee WH, Foster TC. Influence of late-life exposure to environmental enrichment or exercise on hippocampal function and CA1 senescent physiology. Neurobiol Aging 2011; 33:828.e1-17. [PMID: 21820213 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Revised: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Aged (20-22 months) male Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned to sedentary (A-SED), environmentally-enriched (A-ENR), or exercise (A-EX) conditions. After 10-12 weeks of differential experience, the 3 groups of aged rats and young sedentary controls were tested for physical and cognitive function. Spatial discrimination learning and memory consolidation, tested on the water maze, were enhanced in environmentally-enriched compared with sedentary. A-EX exhibited improved and impaired performance on the cue and spatial task, respectively. Impaired spatial learning in A-EX was likely due to a bias in response selection associated with exercise training, as object recognition memory improved for A-EX rats. An examination of senescent hippocampal physiology revealed that enrichment and exercise reversed age-related changes in long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP). Rats in the enrichment group exhibited an increase in cell excitability compared with the other 2 groups of aged animals. The results indicate that differential experience biased the selection of a spatial or a response strategy and factors common across the 2 conditions, such as increased hippocampal activity associated with locomotion, contribute to reversal of senescent synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0244, USA
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Abstract
Animals living in an impoverished environment, i.e., without the possibility of physical and social activity, perform worse on cognitive tests compared to animals in an enriched environment. The same cognitive difference is also observed in humans. However, it is not clear whether this difference is caused by a decrease in cognition due to an impoverished environment or an increase due to an enriched environment. This review discusses the impact of an impoverished environment on cognition in animal experimental studies and human experimental studies with community-dwelling and institutionalized older people. Results show that the cognitive functioning of old rats is more affected by an impoverished environment than young rats. Similarly, sedentary and lonely people (impoverished environment) have worse cognitive functioning and show a faster cognitive decline than physically and socially active people. Institutionalization further aggravates cognitive decline, probably due to the impoverished environment of nursing homes. In institutions, residents spend an unnecessary and excessive amount of time in bed; out of bed they show mainly sedentary or completely passive behavior. In conclusion, older people, especially those that have been institutionalized, have poor levels of physical and social activity, which in turn has a negative impact on cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Volkers
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Bouet V, Freret T, Dutar P, Billard JM, Boulouard M. Continuous enriched environment improves learning and memory in adult NMRI mice through theta burst-related-LTP independent mechanisms but is not efficient in advanced aged animals. Mech Ageing Dev 2011; 132:240-8. [PMID: 21530571 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2011.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Effects of 3-month continuous environmental enrichment (EE) on cognitive abilities and on theta burst-related synaptic plasticity of CA1 hippocampal neuronal networks have been assessed in 6- and 20-month old NMRI female mice. RESULTS EE decreased anxiety-like behavior and improved learning and memory performances in adult but not in aged mice. Electrophysiological results in CA1 hippocampal slices showed that basal synaptic transmission was not affected by EE in adult mice whereas it was partially improved in aged animals, even though not sufficient to rescue the decrease related to aging. Besides, no effect of EE on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation and theta-burst-induced long-term potentiation was found in adult or aged animals. DISCUSSION These results indicate that continuous EE is able to improve cognitive abilities in adult NMRI female mice, that does not correlate with changes in theta burst-related synaptic plasticity within neuronal networks. In addition, the lack of effects in aged animals suggests the existence of a critical delay for the beneficial effects of EE on cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Bouet
- GMPc, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité comportementale, Caen, France
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42
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Diniz DG, Foro CAR, Rego CMD, Gloria DA, de Oliveira FRR, Paes JMP, de Sousa AA, Tokuhashi TP, Trindade LS, Turiel MCP, Vasconcelos EGR, Torres JB, Cunnigham C, Perry VH, Vasconcelos PFDC, Diniz CWP. Environmental impoverishment and aging alter object recognition, spatial learning, and dentate gyrus astrocytes. Eur J Neurosci 2010; 32:509-19. [PMID: 20704596 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07296.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and age-related effects on learning and memory were analysed and compared with changes observed in astrocyte laminar distribution in the dentate gyrus. Aged (20 months) and young (6 months) adult female albino Swiss mice were housed from weaning either in impoverished conditions or in enriched conditions, and tested for episodic-like and water maze spatial memories. After these behavioral tests, brain hippocampal sections were immunolabeled for glial fibrillary acid protein to identify astrocytes. The effects of environmental enrichment on episodic-like memory were not dependent on age, and may protect water maze spatial learning and memory from declines induced by aging or impoverished environment. In the dentate gyrus, the number of astrocytes increased with both aging and enriched environment in the molecular layer, increased only with aging in the polymorphic layer, and was unchanged in the granular layer. We suggest that long-term experience-induced glial plasticity by enriched environment may represent at least part of the circuitry groundwork for improvements in behavioral performance in the aged mice brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Diniz
- Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Brazil
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Josef van der Staay F, Arndt SS, Nordquist RE. The standardization-generalization dilemma: a way out. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2010; 9:849-55. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2010.00628.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Frick KM, Benoit JD. Use it or lose it: environmental enrichment as a means to promote successful cognitive aging. ScientificWorldJournal 2010; 10:1129-41. [PMID: 20563536 PMCID: PMC4462190 DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2010.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment has become increasingly utilized in rodent models of aging and neurodegenerative disease in order to prevent or reverse cognitive decline and neuronal dysfunction. However, the potential application of this body of work to human cognitive aging has rarely been discussed. The present article provides an overview of the rodent research that has tested the effects of environmental enrichment on hippocampal and neocortical function, and the types of memories mediated by these brain regions. Although data from models of neurodegenerative disease are presented, primary emphasis is given to studies of aging rodents and to methodological issues (e.g., age, treatment duration, treatment type) central to the mnemonic effectiveness of enrichment treatment. The implications of this work for human cognitive aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyn M Frick
- 1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Impact of the Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal/gonadal Axes on Trajectory of Age-Related Cognitive Decline. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2010; 182:31-76. [DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(10)82002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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46
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Peña Y, Prunell M, Rotllant D, Armario A, Escorihuela RM. Enduring effects of environmental enrichment from weaning to adulthood on pituitary-adrenal function, pre-pulse inhibition and learning in male and female rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009; 34:1390-404. [PMID: 19481873 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2008] [Revised: 04/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) increases stimulation and provides richer sensory, cognitive and motor opportunities through the interaction with the social and physical environment. EE produces a wide range of neuroanatomical, neurochemical and behavioural effects in several animal species. However, the effects of EE have mainly been studied shortly after the treatment, so its long-lasting effects remain to be elucidated. Thus, we studied in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats the enduring effects of EE on tasks that measured emotional reactivity, social exploration and memory, sensorimotor gating and learning. After weaning, rats reared in EE were housed in single-sex groups of 12-14 in enriched cages during 12 weeks, whereas control rats were housed in single-sex groups of 2-3 animals in standard cages. Then, all rats were housed in pairs and successively exposed to different tests between 4 and 60 weeks post-EE. The results indicated that animals of both sexes reared in EE gained less weight during the enrichment period; differences disappeared in females during the post-EE period, but were maintained intact in males. Rats reared in EE showed an altered daily pattern of corticosterone and a lower hormone response to a novel environment (hole board, HB), although no differences in ACTH were found. EE resulted in more exploratory behaviour in the HB and higher number of entries in the open arms of the elevated plus maze (with no changes in the time spent in the open arms), suggesting a greater motivation to explore. Unexpectedly, rats reared in EE showed reduced pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating, suggesting lower capability to filter non-relevant information compared with control rats. EE increased social exploratory behaviour towards juvenile rats and social discrimination in males, but decreased social discrimination in females. Finally, in the Hebb-Williams maze, rats reared in EE showed better performance in terms of reduced number of errors and shorter distances travelled in the mazes. It is concluded that EE exposure from weaning to adulthood has important and long-lasting consequences on physiological and behavioural variables, most of them similar in both sexes, although sex differences in response to the EE are also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Peña
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Frick KM. Estrogens and age-related memory decline in rodents: what have we learned and where do we go from here? Horm Behav 2009; 55:2-23. [PMID: 18835561 PMCID: PMC2664384 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Revised: 08/28/2008] [Accepted: 08/29/2008] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The question of whether ovarian hormone therapy can prevent or reduce age-related memory decline in menopausal women has been the subject of much recent debate. Although numerous studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of estrogen and/or progestin therapy for certain types of memory in menopausal women, recent clinical trials suggest that such therapy actually increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Because rodent models have been frequently used to examine the effects of age and/or ovarian hormone deficiency on mnemonic function, rodent models of age-related hormone and memory decline may be useful in helping to resolve this issue. This review will focus on evidence suggesting that estradiol modulates memory, particularly hippocampal-dependent memory, in young and aging female rats and mice. Various factors affecting the mnemonic response to estradiol in aging females will be highlighted to illustrate the complications inherent to studies of estrogen therapy in aging females. Avenues for future development of estradiol-based therapies will also be discussed, and it is argued that an approach to drug development based on identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying estrogenic modulation of memory may lead to promising future treatments for reducing age-related mnemonic decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Magalhães A, Melo P, Alves CJ, Tavares MA, de Sousa L, Summavielle T. Exploratory behavior in rats postnatally exposed to cocaine and housed in an enriched environment. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1139:358-65. [PMID: 18991882 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1432.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to cocaine in early periods of postnatal life is usually associated with changes in development of neurotransmitter systems and structure of the central nervous system. Such changes are most likely correlated with behavioral alterations. Environmental enrichment conditions (EC) in early stages is a factor that affects structural and behavioral development. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of EC on rats postnatally exposed to cocaine on exploratory behavior. Wistar rats were assigned to four groups-Group 1: pups exposed to cocaine hydrochloride (15 mg/kg body weight/day) s.c., in two daily doses, from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 28 and reared in EC; Group 2: pups exposed to cocaine as previously described and reared in a standard environmental conditions (SC); Group 3: pups saline-injected and reared in EC; and Group 4: pups saline-injected and reared in SC. On PND 21, 24, and 28, groups of four rats (to reduce anxiety) were placed for 10 minutes into an arena with several objects. The following exploratory behavioral categories were examined: object interaction, exploration, manipulation, approximation, and total time of object contact. Animals from Group 2 showed decreased object interaction and total contact on PND 21. Control offspring reared in EE showed decreases in exploratory behavior at all ages analyzed compared with the control SE group, while cocaine-exposed animals reared in EC showed decreased object interaction, object approximation, and total exploratory behavior. The results in this group suggest that EC improved information acquisition and memory processes in animals postnatally exposed to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Magalhães
- Neurocomportamento, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Darmopil S, Petanjek Z, Mohammed AH, Bogdanović N. Environmental enrichment alters dentate granule cell morphology in oldest-old rat. J Cell Mol Med 2008; 13:1845-1856. [PMID: 19175692 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00560.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus of aged rats shows marked age-related morphological changes that could cause memory deficits. Experimental evidence has established that environmental enrichment attenuates memory deficits in aged rats. We therefore studied whether environmental enrichment produces morphological changes on the dentate granule cells of aged rats. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats, 24 months of age, were randomly distributed in two groups that were housed under standard (n = 7) or enriched (n = 8) environmental conditions for 26 days. Quantitative data of dendritic morphology from dentate gyrus granule cells were obtained on Golgi-Cox stained sections. Environmental enrichment significantly increased the complexity and size of dendritic tree (total number of segments increased by 61% and length by 116%), and spine density (88% increase). There were large interindividual differences within the enriched group, indicating differential individual responses to environmental stimulation. Previous studies in young animals have shown changes produced by environmental enrichment in the morphology of dentate gyrus granule cells. The results of the present study show that environmental enrichment can also produce changes in dentate granule cell morphology in the senescent brain. In conclusion, the hippocampus retains its neuroplastic capacity during aging, and enriched environmental housing conditions can attenuate age-related dendritic regression and synaptic loss, thus preserving memory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Darmopil
- Department for Neurobiology, Caring Science and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Novum Research Park, Stockholm, Sweden.,Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zdravko Petanjek
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Abdul H Mohammed
- Department for Neurobiology, Caring Science and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Novum Research Park, Stockholm, Sweden.,School of Social Sciences, Växjö University, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Nenad Bogdanović
- Department for Neurobiology, Caring Science and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Novum Research Park, Stockholm, Sweden.,Wyeth Pharmaceutical, Global Medical Team - Neuroscience, Maidenhead, London, UK
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Saczynski JS, Jonsdottir MK, Sigurdsson S, Eiriksdottir G, Jonsson PV, Garcia ME, Kjartansson O, van Buchem MA, Gudnason V, Launer LJ. White matter lesions and cognitive performance: the role of cognitively complex leisure activity. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2008; 63:848-54. [PMID: 18772473 PMCID: PMC5911380 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/63.8.848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among persons with white matter lesions (WMLs), there is a range of cognitive function. We examine whether participation in leisure activities modifies the effect of WML load on cognitive function. METHODS Data are from 2300 men and women (aged 66-92 years) participating in the population-based Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study. Subcortical WML load was calculated as a weighted sum, based on size of lesions in the four lobes. Periventricular WML load was calculated as the sum of lesion scores, based on size, for the frontal caps, occipitoparietal caps and bands. The upper quartile of lesion load in either area was compared to the lower three quartiles. Composite scores of memory (MEM), speed of processing (SP), and executive function (EF) were constructed from a battery of neuropsychological tests. Frequency of participation in nine cognitively stimulating leisure activities was assessed via questionnaire; the upper quartile was compared to the lower three quartiles. Multiple regression, controlling for demographic and health factors and brain infarcts, was used to test the main effects and interaction of WMLs and leisure activity on cognitive function. RESULTS High leisure activity was associated with higher performance in all three cognitive abilities: MEM beta = 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.29; SP beta = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.29-0.45; and EF beta = 0.23, 95% CI, 0.15-0.29. High WML load was associated with significantly lower performance in SP (beta = -0.06, 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.01). The effect of WMLs on SP performance was modified by high leisure activity (p for interaction <.05). CONCLUSION Participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activity may attenuate the effect of WML pathology on cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S Saczynski
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Biotech Four, 377 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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