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 Experiment Videos

Early experience effects upon cortical dendrites: a proposed model for development.

S Schapiro, K R Vukovich

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |January 16, 1970
    PubMed
    Summary

    Environmental stimulation enhances early brain development in rats. Early sensory input boosts dendritic spine density and neuron staining, potentially explaining how early experiences shape behavior.

    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

    Patterns of sexual behavior in male macaques.

    American journal of primatology·2020
    Same author

    Proctological manifestations in systemic disease.

    The Review of gastroenterology·2010
    Same author

    Antigenic analysis of coccidioidin and spherulin determined by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis.

    Infection and immunity·1978
    Same author

    Comparison of coccidioidin and spherulin in complement fixation tests for coccidioidomycosis.

    Journal of clinical microbiology·1977
    Same author

    Lung weight parallels disease severity in experimental coccidioidomycosis.

    Infection and immunity·1976
    Same author

    Effect of amphotericin B and rifampin against Coccidioides immitis in vitro and in vivo.

    Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·1976

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Developmental Biology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Early life experiences significantly influence brain development and subsequent behavior.
    • Environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping neural circuits.
    • Understanding the neuroanatomical basis of early experience is essential.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of environmental stimulation on the development of dendritic spines in rat cortical pyramidal cells.
    • To determine how early sensory input affects the number of neurons identified by the Golgi technique.
    • To explore the neuroanatomical underpinnings of early experience-dependent behavioral changes.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized the rapid Golgi staining technique to visualize neuronal morphology.
    • Quantified dendritic spine density (synaptic loci) per micrometer in rat cortical pyramidal cells.
    • Assessed the number of stained neurons at specific postnatal ages (8 and 16 days) following controlled environmental stimulation.
    • Administered environmental stimulation to rat pups multiple times daily from birth.

    Main Results:

    • Environmental stimulation increased the number of dendritic spines per micrometer in 8-day-old rats.
    • Stimulation also increased the number of neurons staining positive via the Golgi technique between 8 and 16 days of age.
    • The number of neurons stained appears correlated with their functional involvement during tissue preparation.

    Conclusions:

    • Early environmental stimulation promotes the development of synaptic structures (dendritic spines) in the developing rat cortex.
    • Increased neuron staining suggests enhanced functional engagement or maturation due to stimulation.
    • These neuroanatomical changes provide a potential basis for the lasting effects of early experience on behavior.

    Related Experiment Videos