On The Nature Of Neural Activity In The Hippocampal Formation: Effects Of Periodic And/Or Acute Environmental Enrichment On C-FOS Expression In Adolescent Rats
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Meghan N. Pavelka (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
- Advisor
- Mark Zrull
Abstract: The interaction with novel objects and conspecifics, known as environmental enrichment (EE), provides a lasting impact on the brain and behavior of animals. EE alters networks associated with spatial learning and memory. The influence of periodic and/or acute EE exposure on activation in the hippocampal formation (HF) of adolescent rats was investigated. One group (EE-No; n=6) received twenty, 90-min EE exposures. A different group (EE-EE; n=6) received this same periodic EE, along with an acute 90-min exposure before perfusion. A third group (No-EE; n=6) solely received acute EE before perfusion. Controls (No-No; n=6) did not receive any EE. Tissue was processed using immunohistochemistry to visualize c-FOS expression; densities of c-FOS+ neurons were quantified via microscopy. Relative to controls, acute EE produced more c-FOS+ neurons in CA3 (+172%), CA2 (+136%), CA1 (+183%), and subiculum (+164%) (p<.03). Those that received periodic and acute EE (EE-EE) exhibited reductions in c-FOS expression among CA3 (-43%), CA2 (-47%), CA1 (-64%), and subiculum (-41%) (p<.03) compared to No-EE rats. The results suggest an EE history in adolescence suppresses activation as a signal moves sequentially throughout the HF. Acute EE may increase recruitment of neurons in sequence of the HF, without necessarily increasing input to this pathway.
On The Nature Of Neural Activity In The Hippocampal Formation: Effects Of Periodic And/Or Acute Environmental Enrichment On C-FOS Expression In Adolescent Rats
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Created on 6/21/2018
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Honors Project
- Pavelka, M. (2018). "On The Nature Of Neural Activity In The Hippocampal Formation: Effects Of Periodic And/Or Acute Environmental Enrichment On C-FOS Expression In Adolescent Rats." Unpublished Honors Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
- Language: English
- Date: 2018
- Keywords
- Rats, environmental enrichment, hippocampal formation, adolescence