J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2017 Nov;19(4):276-283. 10.7586/jkbns.2017.19.4.276.

Effect of Environmental Factors on Depressive-like Behavior and Memory Function in Adolescent Rats

• Song MK
• Lee JM
• Kim YJ
• Lee JH
• Kim YJ

• KMID: 2397912
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2017.19.4.276

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to identify the effects of environmental factors on depressive-like behavior and memory function during adolescence. We performed behavior tests in adolescent rats exposed to environmental enrichment, handling, and social deprivation for eight weeks.
METHODS
Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, environmental enrichment, handling, and social deprivation groups at the age of four weeks.
RESULTS
In the forced swim test, the immobility time in the environmental enrichment group was decreased than that in the control group (p=.038), while the immobility time in the social deprivation group was increased than that in the control group (p=.035), the environmental enrichment group (p<.001), and the handling group (p=.001). In the Morris water maze test, the social deprivation group had an increased latency time than the control group (p=.013) and the environmental enrichment group (p=.001). In the passive avoidance test, the environmental enrichment group had an increased latency time than the control group (p=.005). However, the social deprivation group had reduced latency time than the socially housed groups (control: p=.030; environmental enrichment: p<.001; handling: p<.001).
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that environmental factors play an important role in emotion and memory function during adolescence.

Keyword

Adolescent; Social environment; Depression; Cognition

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Animals
Behavior Rating Scale
Cognition
Depression
Humans
Memory*
Rats*
Rats, Wistar
Social Environment
Water
Water