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The effects of environmental enrichment on white matter pathology in a mouse model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Yoshiki HaseORCiD, Dr Lucinda Craggs, Dr Mai Hase, William Stevenson, Janet Slade, Dr Aiqing Chen, Dr Di Liang, Arthur Oakley, Dr Masafumi Ihara, Professor Raj KalariaORCiD

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Abstract

© 2017, © The Author(s) 2017. White matter (WM) disintegration is common in the older population and is associated with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). This study explored the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on pathological sequelae in a mouse model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). Male C57BL/6 J mice underwent BCAS or sham surgery. One-week after surgery, mice were exposed to three different degrees of EE; either standard housing conditions (std), limited 3 h exposure to EE per day (3 h) or full-time exposure to EE (full) for 12 weeks. At 13 weeks after surgery, cognitive testing was performed using a three-dimensional 9-arm radial maze. At 16 weeks after surgery, nesting ability was assessed in each mouse immediately before euthanasia. Brains retrieved after perfusion fixation were examined for WM pathology. BCAS caused WM changes, as demonstrated by corpus callosum atrophy and greater WM disintegrity. BCAS also caused impaired nesting ability and cognitive function. These pathological changes and working memory deficits were attenuated, more so by limited rather than full-time exposure to EE regime. Our results suggest that limited exposure to EE delays the onset of WM degeneration. Therefore, the implementation of even limited EE may be beneficial for patients diagnosed with VCI.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Hase Y, Craggs L, Hase M, Stevenson W, Slade J, Chen A, Liang D, Ennaceur A, Oakley A, Ihara M, Horsburgh K, Kalaria RN

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism

Year: 2018

Volume: 38

Issue: 1

Pages: 151-165

Print publication date: 01/01/2018

Online publication date: 03/03/2017

Acceptance date: 23/01/2017

ISSN (print): 0271-678X

ISSN (electronic): 1559-7016

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0271678X17694904

DOI: 10.1177/0271678X17694904


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