Functional outcome in rats transferred to an enriched environment 15 days after focal brain ischemia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to determine whether a delayed transfer to an enriched environment improves outcome after focal brain ischemia.


METHODS
Performance on a rotating pole, prehensile traction, limb placement, and postural reflexes were tested in 15 spontaneously hypertensive rats housed in standard laboratory cages for 2 weeks after middle cerebral artery ligation. Seven of the 15 rats were then transferred to an enriched environment, and the two groups were tested 1, 3, and 5 weeks later.


RESULTS
The enriched environment significantly improved pole performance, prehensile traction, and limb placement.


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed postoperative environmental enrichment improves outcome in experimental stroke.
Johansson
B B
BB
Department of Neurology, Lund University Hospital, Sweden. barbro.johansson@neurol.lu.se
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002536:Cerebral Arteries; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011187:Posture; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D012018:Reflex; D012399:Rotation; D013997:Time Factors