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01-06-2017 | Original Paper

Environmental enrichment reduces brain damage in hydrocephalic immature rats

Authors: Carlos Henrique Rocha Catalão, Glaucia Yuri Shimizu, Jacqueline Atsuko Tida, Camila Araújo Bernardino Garcia, Antonio Carlos dos Santos, Carlos Ernesto Garrido Salmon, Maria José Alves Rocha, Luiza da Silva Lopes

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 6/2017

Abstract

Purpose

We investigate the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on morphological alterations in different brain structures of pup rats submitted to hydrocephalus condition.

Methods

Hydrocephalus was induced in 7-day-old pup rats by injection of 20% kaolin into the cisterna magna. Ventricular dilatation and magnetization transfer to analyze myelin were assessed by magnetic resonance. Hydrocephalic and control rats exposed to EE (n = 10 per group) were housed in cages with a tunnel, ramp, and colored plastic balls that would emit sound when touched. The walls of the housing were decorated with colored adhesive tape. Moreover, tactile and auditory stimulation was performed daily throughout the experiment. Hydrocephalic and control rats not exposed to EE (n = 10 per group) were allocated singly in standard cages. All animals were weighed daily and exposed to open-field conditions every 2 days until the end of the experiment when they were sacrificed and the brains removed for histology and immunohistochemistry. Solochrome cyanine staining was performed to assess the thickness of the corpus callosum. The glial fibrillary acidic protein method was used to evaluate reactive astrocytes, and the Ki67 method to assess cellular proliferation in the subventricular zone.

Results

The hydrocephalic animals exposed to EE showed better performance in Open Field tests (p < 0.05), while presenting lower weight gain. In addition, these animals showed better myelination as revealed by magnetization transfer (p < 0.05). Finally, the EE group showed a reduction in reactive astrocytes by means of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining and preservation of the proliferation potential of progenitor cells.

Conclusion

The results suggest that EE can protect the developing brain against damaging effects caused by hydrocephalus.

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Title: Environmental enrichment reduces brain damage in hydrocephalic immature rats
Authors: Carlos Henrique Rocha Catalão
Glaucia Yuri Shimizu
Jacqueline Atsuko Tida
Camila Araújo Bernardino Garcia
Antonio Carlos dos Santos
Carlos Ernesto Garrido Salmon
Maria José Alves Rocha
Luiza da Silva Lopes
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Child's Nervous System / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3403-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Environmental enrichment reduces brain damage in hydrocephalic immature rats

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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