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Environmental influences on cognitive decline in aged rats
1Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. winocur@psych.utoronto.ca
Neurobiology of Aging
|April 7, 1999
Summary
Environmental enrichment improves cognitive function in aging rats, reversing negative effects of deprivation. Stimulating environments protect against age-related cognitive decline and relocation stress.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Cognitive aging is influenced by environmental factors.
- Impoverished environments can negatively impact learning and memory in older animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of environmental enrichment versus deprivation on cognitive performance in aging rats.
- To determine if the negative effects of an impoverished environment are reversible.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments involving young and old rats housed in impoverished (IE), enriched (EE), or standard (SE) environments.
- Maze performance was assessed after varying periods of environmental exposure and relocation.
Main Results:
- Impoverished environments exacerbated age-related differences in maze performance.
- Transferring old rats from impoverished to enriched environments significantly improved performance.
- Relocation to impoverished environments from enriched or standard conditions led to performance decline.
Conclusions:
- The detrimental effects of impoverished environments on cognitive function are partially reversible.
- Enriched environments offer protection against cognitive decline and adverse effects of environmental change in aging rats.
- Environmental influences are critical factors in understanding cognitive aging, highlighting the need to consider nonbiological factors.