Environmental enrichment improves behavioral performance and auditory spatial representation of primary auditory cortical neurons in rat

Cai, Rui; Guo, Fei; Zhang, Ji Ping; Xu, Jinghong; Cui, Yilei; Sun, Xinde

doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2009.01.005

Cited by 49 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…Our findings of auditory brain plasticity before full gestation are in keeping with several studies, primarily by Merzenich and colleagues, showing that early auditory experience, either in the form of enrichment or impoverishment, can have a substantial impact on both the structural and functional development of the AC in rat pups (26,27,29,31,57,58). Similarly, an established body of work by Lickliter and colleagues has shown that bobwhite quail chicks receiving auditory stimulation early in embryogenesis demonstrated improved auditory learning and memory when tested postnatally (59)(60)(61).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Numerous animal studies have shown that brain development relies on developmentally appropriate acoustic stimulation early in life (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). Auditory deprivation during critical periods can adversely affect brain maturation and lead to long-lasting neural despecialization in the auditory cortex (AC), whereas auditory enrichment in the early postnatal period can enhance neural sensitivity in the primary AC, as well as improve auditory recognition and discrimination abilities.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation

Webb¹,

Heller

Benson

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

189

106

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Brain development is largely shaped by early sensory experience. However, it is currently unknown whether, how early, and to what extent the newborn's brain is shaped by exposure to maternal sounds when the brain is most sensitive to early life programming. The present study examined this question in 40 infants born extremely prematurely (between 25-and 32-wk gestation) in the first month of life. Newborns were randomized to receive auditory enrichment in the form of audio recordings of maternal sounds (including their mother's voice and heartbeat) or routine exposure to hospital environmental noise. The groups were otherwise medically and demographically comparable. Cranial ultrasonography measurements were obtained at 30 ± 3 d of life. Results show that newborns exposed to maternal sounds had a significantly larger auditory cortex (AC) bilaterally compared with control newborns receiving standard care. The magnitude of the right and left AC thickness was significantly correlated with gestational age but not with the duration of sound exposure. Measurements of head circumference and the widths of the frontal horn (FH) and the corpus callosum (CC) were not significantly different between the two groups. This study provides evidence for experience-dependent plasticity in the primary AC before the brain has reached full-term maturation. Our results demonstrate that despite the immaturity of the auditory pathways, the AC is more adaptive to maternal sounds than environmental noise. Further studies are needed to better understand the neural processes underlying this early brain plasticity and its functional implications for future hearing and language development. auditory | brain | mother's voice | heartbeat | preterm newborns

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation

Webb¹,

Heller

Benson

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

189

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Mandairon et al (2006a,b) have shown that olfactory enrichment results in an improved ability to discriminate between odor pairs, likely due to changes in neuronal response properties (Buonviso and Chaput, 2000; Fletcher and Wilson, 2003). Similarly, EE enhances spatial discrimination of sound source, with faster reaction times and improved discrimination accuracy (Cai et al, 2009). Bourgeon et al (2004) reported that while EE housing did not affect an animal's tactile ability to discriminate between textured surfaces, enriched animals did learn to perform the discrimination task faster.…”

Section: Beneficial Effects Of Ee On Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental enrichment and the sensory brain: the role of enrichment in remediating brain injury

Alwis

Rajan

2014

Front. Syst. Neurosci.

106

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The brain's life-long capacity for experience-dependent plasticity allows adaptation to new environments or to changes in the environment, and to changes in internal brain states such as occurs in brain damage. Since the initial discovery by Hebb (1947) that environmental enrichment (EE) was able to confer improvements in cognitive behavior, EE has been investigated as a powerful form of experience-dependent plasticity. Animal studies have shown that exposure to EE results in a number of molecular and morphological alterations, which are thought to underpin changes in neuronal function and ultimately, behavior. These consequences of EE make it ideally suited for investigation into its use as a potential therapy after neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this review, we aim to first briefly discuss the effects of EE on behavior and neuronal function, followed by a review of the underlying molecular and structural changes that account for EE-dependent plasticity in the normal (uninjured) adult brain. We then extend this review to specifically address the role of EE in the treatment of experimental TBI, where we will discuss the demonstrated sensorimotor and cognitive benefits associated with exposure to EE, and their possible mechanisms. Finally, we will explore the use of EE-based rehabilitation in the treatment of human TBI patients, highlighting the remaining questions regarding the effects of EE.

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“…38 This indicates that non-visual stimulation counteracts the effects exerted by a complete lack of visual experience from birth. In the auditory system, pre-weaning EE improves spatial localization abilities and enhances directional sensitivity of A1 neurons, 39 whereas it remains unexplored whether exposure to EE conditions induces compensation for the delay in A1 maturation prompted by white noise rearing.…”

Section: Influence Of Ee On Brain Developmental Plasticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nurturing brain plasticity: impact of environmental enrichment

et al. 2009

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Environmental enrichment (EE) is known to profoundly affect the central nervous system (CNS) at the functional, anatomical and molecular level, both during the critical period and during adulthood. Recent studies focusing on the visual system have shown that these effects are associated with the recruitment of previously unsuspected neural plasticity processes. At early stages of brain development, EE triggers a marked acceleration in the maturation of the visual system, with maternal behaviour acting as a fundamental mediator of the enriched experience in both the foetus and the newborn. In adult brain, EE enhances plasticity in the cerebral cortex, allowing the recovery of visual functions in amblyopic animals. The molecular substrate of the effects of EE on brain plasticity is multi-factorial, with reduced intracerebral inhibition, enhanced neurotrophin expression and epigenetic changes at the level of chromatin structure. These findings shed new light on the potential of EE as a non-invasive strategy to ameliorate deficits in the development of the CNS and to treat neurological disorders.

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Environmental enrichment improves behavioral performance and auditory spatial representation of primary auditory cortical neurons in rat

Cited by 49 publications

References 78 publications

Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation

Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation

Environmental enrichment and the sensory brain: the role of enrichment in remediating brain injury

Nurturing brain plasticity: impact of environmental enrichment

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