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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
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A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes
Published on: February 5, 2018
Environmental impoverishment and aging alter object recognition, spatial learning, and dentate gyrus astrocytes
Daniel G Diniz1, César A R Foro, Carla M D Rego
1Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Brazil.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|August 14, 2010
Summary
Environmental enrichment benefits memory in aging mice by altering astrocyte distribution in the hippocampus. This glial plasticity may underlie improved learning and memory performance in aged brains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aging and environmental conditions significantly impact learning and memory.
- Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain plasticity and function.
- Understanding glial responses to environmental enrichment is key to cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging and environmental enrichment on learning and memory.
- To analyze changes in astrocyte distribution within the dentate gyrus.
- To correlate behavioral performance with glial structural changes.
Main Methods:
- Adult female albino Swiss mice (young and aged) were housed in impoverished or enriched environments.
- Behavioral testing included episodic-like memory and water maze spatial tasks.
- Immunolabeling for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) identified astrocytes in hippocampal sections.
Main Results:
- Environmental enrichment improved episodic-like memory independently of age.
- Enrichment appeared to protect spatial learning and memory from age-related or impoverished environment declines.
- Astrocyte numbers increased in the molecular layer with aging and enrichment, and in the polymorphic layer with aging.
Conclusions:
- Environmental enrichment can enhance cognitive function and promote glial plasticity in aging brains.
- Experience-induced glial changes in the dentate gyrus may contribute to improved behavioral performance.
- Astrocytic remodeling in response to environment and age offers insights into brain resilience.
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