Environmental Enrichment: Disentangling the Influence of Novelty, Social, and Physical Activity on Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in a Transgenic Mouse Model

Abstract

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is the deposition of amyloid protein in the cerebral vasculature, a common feature in both aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the effects of environmental factors, particularly cognitive stimulation, social stimulation, and physical activity, on CAA pathology are poorly understood. These factors, delivered in the form of the environmental enrichment (EE) paradigm in rodents, have been shown to have beneficial effects on the brain and behavior in healthy aging and AD models. However, the relative importance of these subcomponents on CAA pathology has not been investigated. Therefore, we assessed the effects of EE, social enrichment (SOC), and cognitive enrichment (COG) compared to a control group that was single housed without enrichment (SIN) from 4 to 8 months of age in wild-type mice (WT) and Tg-SwDI mice, a transgenic mouse model of CAA that exhibits cognitive/behavioral deficits. The results show that individual facets of enrichment can affect an animal model of CAA, though the SOC and combined EE conditions are generally the most effective at producing physiological, cognitive/behavioral, and neuropathological changes, adding to a growing literature supporting the benefits of lifestyle interventions.

In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacies of the Linear and the Cyclic Version of an All-d-Enantiomeric Peptide Developed for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The implemented behavioral experiments (nesting behavior, marble burying, open field test and Morris water maze) gave proof that the Tg-SwDI mouse model develops general and cognitive phenotypic deficits in our hands at 12 months of age. Although development of pathology and especially of cognition impairment is often dependent on breeding cohorts and lab environments, our results are in good accordance with those reported previously [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. After completion of the characterization study, we performed an i.p.…”

Moderate Exercise Combined with Enriched Environment Enhances Learning and Memory through BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway in Rats

“…On the other hand, an enriched environment entails a combination of complex inanimate and social stimulations [21]. An enriched environment consists of physical exercise, novel stimulants and social interactions [22]. Previous findings showed that learning and memory impairment can be attenuated by a relatively short (a few weeks) exposure to environmental conditions; provision of sensory, exercise or cognitive stimulations; as well as sustained social interactions in rodents [23].…”

Role of sex and high fat diet in metabolic and hypothalamic disturbances in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

“…In agreement with this patient data, we saw no differences in caloric intake between 3xTg-AD and WT males. Other AD rodent models similarly report body weight deficits that become more pronounced with age, as well as decreased body fat, despite similar or even increased food consumption [24,[90][91][92][93][94]. While unclear in clinical populations, findings in mice exhibiting AD pathology suggest that elevated basal metabolic rate (measured by oxygen consumption), rather than increased activity levels, may be contributing to these differences [24,91,92,95].…”