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Neuroprotection and recovery from early-life adversity: considerations for environmental enrichment

In the laboratory, environmental enrichment (EE) is used as a protocol to understand the functional, behavioral and molecular mechanisms that underlie neural plasticity (van Praag et al., 2000; Sale et al., 2014). In addition, it is utilized to provide supplementary resources to animals in order to maintain their well-being and to preserve the scientific validity of the study at hand (see http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12910/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals-eighth). Generally, EE is designed using a multifactorial approach incorporating novelty (e.g., alternating toys and locations of objects within the cage) alongside opportunities for physical activity (e.g., increased cage space, running wheels) and social engagement facilitated through group housing; see Figure 1. Such refinement of animal housing conditions can reduce stress and stereotyped behaviors (e.g., bar-biting, trichotillomania), that may interfere with research endpoints, by decreasing boredom and promoting species typical behaviors such as foraging, burrowing and exploration (Simpson and Kelly, 2011).