Brain Neurorehabil.  2016 Sep;9(2):e2. 10.12786/bn.2016.9.e2.

Brain Plasticity and Neurorestoration by Environmental Enrichment

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. srcho918@yuhs.ac
  • 2Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Yonsei Stem Cell Center, Avison Biomedical Research Center, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Rehabilitation Institute of Neuromuscular Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

In the adult mammalian brain, neural-lineage cells are continuously generated in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. These cells in vivo arising from the adult SVZ may be regulated by environmental enrichment (EE). EE is a method of raising animals in a huge cage containing novel objects, running wheels and social interaction with a complex combination of physical, cognitive, and social stimulations. EE can affect neural plasticity via overexpression of growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and synaptic activity-regulating genes. EE also have advanced effects on brain functions including the enhancement of motor and cognitive functions in normal and pathological states. Additionally, behavioral changes by EE are related with molecular changes including neurogenesis, gliogenesis, angiogenesis, axonal sprouting, and dendritic branching in the adult brain. In this review, we focus on brain plasticity and neurorestoration associated with molecular changes of neurotrophic growth factors such as BDNF, VEGF, IGF-1, FGF-2 and synaptic activity-regulating genes that occurs in interaction to EE.

Keyword

Brain Plasticity; Neurorestoration; Growth Factor; Synaptic Activity; Environmental Enrichment

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Axons
Brain*
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Dentate Gyrus
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
Hippocampus
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Interpersonal Relations
Neurogenesis
Plastics*
Running
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Plastics
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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