Trends in Neurosciences
OpinionA Systematic Look at Environmental Modulation and Its Impact in Brain Development
Section snippets
Opening a Window to Brain Plasticity by Modulation of the Environment
Neural plasticity refers to the ability of the nervous system to reorganize its connections functionally and structurally in response to changes in environmental experience. Plasticity is particularly high during developmental time-windows termed critical periods (CPs, see Glossary) – defined phases of exceptional sensitivity to experience [1].
The potency of the environment in driving long-lasting neural and behavioral changes is highlighted by the effects elicited by experimental procedures
The Environment as a Tool: A Methodological Classification
In studying experience-dependent plasticity, the first step obviously consists of imposing controlled stimuli to selected individuals. This can be done directly, acting on the same individuals that are also used for monitoring the final effects on neural plasticity, or more indirectly, acting on intermediary individuals. A crucial point is the invasive nature of the procedure adopted to modulate specific stimuli, together with the time-window in which the manipulations are performed. In the
In Search of a ‘Standard’ Environment
The definitions of the manipulations described so far are based on the assumption that some specific changes are applied, for reaching particular aims, starting from a normative reference condition that is generally referred to as ‘standard laboratory conditions’ (SCs). In SCs the animals are reared in small social groups and in very simple cages where only nesting material, food, and water are present, without the opportunity for enhanced stimulation or the risk of encountering harmful
Concluding Remarks
The environment is a double-edged sword. Impoverishing stimuli, reduced social interactions, and engaging in repetitive activities are key examples of potentially harmful environmental conditions that can depress cerebral functions, induce abnormal developmental processes, and predispose individuals to pathological aging and dementia. On the other hand, enhanced social care, optimized cognitive stimulation, and physical exercise are all opportunities for empowering brain plasticity (Figure 2).
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by European Research Area (ERA)-NET NEURON grant NeuroDREAM and by a Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale (PRIN)-Ministero dell’Istruzione dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) 2015 grant to A.S.
Glossary
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
- a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors. It is strongly involved in neurogenesis, neuronal survival and differentiation, and in the regulation of synaptic transmission, brain plasticity, learning processes, and memory functions.
- Critical period (CP)
- a temporally defined phase of enhanced sensitivity of neuronal circuitries to changes in environmental stimuli. There are CPs for several different functions such as the acquisition of language,
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