Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

PERK deficiency amplifies molecular, structural, and network vulnerability to repetitive mild traumatic brain injury.

Neurobiology of disease·2026
Same author

Selective opioid-sparing effects of cannabidiol on opioid analgesia in rats.

The journal of pain·2026
Same author

Dissociable, species-specific impact of Aβ on static and dynamic functional connectomes.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

PERK Deficiency Amplifies Molecular, Structural, and Network Vulnerability to Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Peripheral macrophages and T-cells accumulate in the degenerating optic tract after repetitive head impact.

Brain, behavior, and immunity·2026
Same author

Cannabidiol reduces oxycodone self-administration while preserving its analgesic efficacy in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Scientific reports·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2025

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment
06:50

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

Published on: December 29, 2014

11.7K

Environmental enrichment reduces restricted repetitive behavior by altering gray matter microstructure.

Anna L Farmer1, Marcelo Febo2, Bradley J Wilkes3

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.

Plos One
|July 31, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Environmental enrichment can reduce repetitive behaviors in neurodevelopmental disorders by altering brain microstructure. This study in mice reveals key brain regions involved, offering potential therapeutic targets for conditions like autism spectrum disorder.

More Related Videos

Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD
06:09

Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD

Published on: February 2, 2017

6.8K
Environmental Modulations of the Number of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons in Adult Mice
09:35

Environmental Modulations of the Number of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons in Adult Mice

Published on: January 20, 2015

8.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2025

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment
06:50

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

Published on: December 29, 2014

11.7K
Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD
06:09

Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD

Published on: February 2, 2017

6.8K
Environmental Modulations of the Number of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons in Adult Mice
09:35

Environmental Modulations of the Number of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons in Adult Mice

Published on: January 20, 2015

8.7K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Restricted, repetitive behaviors are core symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder.
  • These behaviors are linked to poor developmental outcomes but are poorly understood with limited treatment options.
  • Environmental enrichment is known to reduce repetitive behaviors, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate microstructural brain alterations associated with repetitive behavior development in the C58 mouse model.
  • To examine how environmental enrichment affects these microstructural changes and attenuates repetitive behaviors.
  • To identify specific brain regions and pathways involved in the development and amelioration of repetitive behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to analyze brain microstructure in C58 mice (prone to repetitive behaviors) and C57BL/6 mice (control).
  • Correlational analyses examined the relationship between repetitive motor behavior and diffusion metrics (e.g., fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity).
  • The impact of environmental enrichment on brain microstructure in juvenile C58 mice was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Widespread differences in diffusion metrics were observed between C58 and C57BL/6 mice.
  • In juvenile C58 mice, repetitive behavior negatively correlated with fractional anisotropy in gray matter regions.
  • In adult C58 mice, repetitive behavior correlated with lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity in the striatum.
  • Environmental enrichment increased fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity in juvenile C58 mice's gray matter, particularly in cerebellar and sensory regions.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental enrichment reduces repetitive behavior development by altering gray matter microstructure in the cerebellum, medial entorhinal cortex, and sensory processing regions in juvenile C58 mice.
  • Early microstructural pathology in these regions may contribute to later striatal and white matter dysfunction in adult C58 mice.
  • Further research should explore the role of these regions and the link between sensory processing, cerebellar deficits, and repetitive behaviors.