title: Exposure to an enriched environment up to middle age allows preservation of spatial memory capabilities in old age.
abstract: In rats, some cognitive capabilities, like spatial learning and memory, are preserved from age-related decline by whole adult life enriched environment (EE) exposure. However, to which extent late EE contributes to such maintenance remains to be investigated. Here we assessed the impact of late housing condition (e.g., from the age of 18 months) on spatial learning and memory of aged rats (24 months) previously exposed or unexposed to EE from young adulthood. The results showed that late EE was not required for spatial memory maintenance in aged rats previously housed in EE. In contrast, late EE mitigates spatial memory deficit in aged rats previously unexposed to EE. These outcomes suggest that EE exposure up to middle age provides a "reserve"-like advantage which supports an enduring preservation of spatial capabilities in old age.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cosquer
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Lorène
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Penazzi
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathis
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kelche
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majchrzak
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Psychologie, Neuropôle de Strasbourg, GDR 2905 du CNRS, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France. Electronic address: alexandra.barbelivien@unistra.fr.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbelivien
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D018782:Maze Learning; D051381:Rats; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Aging; Cognitive reserve; Environmental enrichment; Rat; Water maze