Astrocytic plasticity as a possible mediator of the cognitive improvements after environmental enrichment in aged rats

Behavioral testing-related changes in the expression of Synapsin I and glucocorticoid receptors in standard and enriched aged Wistar rats

“…For example, EE has shown to enhance the neurogenesis, astrocytic plasticity, as well as neurotrophin levels in the hippocampus ( Leal-Galicia et al, 2008;Pham et al, 2002;Sampedro-Piquero et al, 2014), although its effects have shown to be not exclusive of this brain region (Harati et al, 2011;Segovia et al, 2008). Besides, the variability between the EE studies (time of onset, duration, objects, type of control group) can provide different results (Simpson and Kelly, 2011).…”

Fluorocitrate induced the alterations of memory-related proteins and tau hyperphosphorylation in SD rats

“…Environment enrichment in mice or aged rats induced morphological changes in the hippocampal astrocytes [2,3]. Inhibition of astrocytic tricarboxylic acid cycle by fluoroacetate has been reported to inhibit memory consolidation in chicks [4].…”

The Neuroprotective Effects of Endurance Training on the Aging Brain

“…Morphometric studies have demonstrated that two types of glia, the oligodendrocytes and the microglia, are most affected by physiological aging with reductions of ~11% in white matter tissues and ~3% in cortical volume (Haug and Eggers 1991). The impact of aging on astrocyte number remains controversial however, with some observing no change in the aging human brain (Pelvig, Pakkenberg et al 2008, Fabricius, Jacobsen et al 2013) and others presenting an age-dependent increase in expression and hypertrophy (Rodriguez, Terzieva et al 2013, Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014. Exposure of aged mice and rats to physical activity or an enriched environment increased astrocyte expression in hippocampal regions and led to astrocytic hypertrophy (Rodriguez, Terzieva et al 2013, Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014).…”

“…The impact of aging on astrocyte number remains controversial however, with some observing no change in the aging human brain (Pelvig, Pakkenberg et al 2008, Fabricius, Jacobsen et al 2013) and others presenting an age-dependent increase in expression and hypertrophy (Rodriguez, Terzieva et al 2013, Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014. Exposure of aged mice and rats to physical activity or an enriched environment increased astrocyte expression in hippocampal regions and led to astrocytic hypertrophy (Rodriguez, Terzieva et al 2013, Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014). Importantly, these changes in astroglia coincided with cognitive improvement (Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014).…”

“…Exposure of aged mice and rats to physical activity or an enriched environment increased astrocyte expression in hippocampal regions and led to astrocytic hypertrophy (Rodriguez, Terzieva et al 2013, Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014). Importantly, these changes in astroglia coincided with cognitive improvement (Sampedro-Piquero, De Bartolo et al 2014). Therefore, the significance of changes in glia and astrocytes in response to exercise has not been clearly defined and merits further study.…”