Environmental enrichment and voluntary exercise massively increase neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus via dissociable pathways
by
Olson AK, Eadie BD, Ernst C, Christie BR.
Department of Psychology,
Division of Neuroscience and The Brain Research Centre at UBC Hospital,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4.
akolsen@psych.ubc.ca
Hippocampus. 2006;16(3):250-60.

ABSTRACT

Environmental enrichment (EE) and voluntary exercise (VEx) have consistently been shown to increase adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improve spatial learning ability. Although it appears that these two manipulations are equivalent in this regard, evidence exists that EE and VEx affect different phases of the neurogenic process in distinct ways. We review the data suggesting that EE increases the likelihood of survival of new cells, whereas VEx increases the level of proliferation of progenitor cells. We then outline the factors that may mediate these relationships. Finally, we provide a model showing that VEx leads to the convergence of key somatic and cerebral factors in the dentate gyrus (DG) to induce cell proliferation. Although insufficient evidence exists to provide a similar model for EE, we suggest that EE-induced cell survival in the DG involves cortical restructuring as a means of promoting survival. We conclude that EE and VEx lead to an increase in overall hippocampal neurogenesis via dissociable pathways, and should therefore, be considered distinct interventions with regard to hippocampal plasticity and associated behaviors.

NO
BDNF
CREB
Options
Sexercise
21st Century
CREB and BDNF
Antidepressants
Tranylcypromine
BDNF and new brain cells
How do antidepressants work?
Antidepressants and new brain cells
Social isolation selectively reduces BDNF
NO, BDNF, exercise and antidepressants
Runners' high: exercise and endogenous opioid release
The exercise-regulated gene VGF: antidepressant action
Major depression: exercise as an augmentation strategy
Antianxiety effects of exercise/hippocampal neurogenesis
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mental health
AMPA receptors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Antidepressant treatments differentially regulate BDNF transcripts

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family