Protocol:

• Standardized environmental enrichment for rodents in Marlau cage

Publications:

• Enriched housing reverses age-associated impairment of cognitive functions and tPA-dependent maturation of BDNF
• Optimal neuroprotection by erythropoietin requires elevated expression of its receptor in neurons
• Poster presentation at the 8^th FENS forum of Neuroscience

Informations:

• Information request form

"Because the exact nature of the environmental enrichment protocols used varies widely between laboratories, and is not fully described in published experimental methods", Nithianantharajah and Hannan, Nat Rev Neurosci, 2006,7:697.

• COMPLEXITY

  Moving through a maze is motivated by the need to find food: water and pellets are placed in two separated compartments.



• ACTIVITY

  Increased activity is encouraged by the enlarged exploration area & free access to running wheels.



• NOVELTY

  Maze is changed 3 times a week (12 configurations available).



• WELLBEING

  Social interactions are promoted by the housing together of a large number of animals (12 rats or 16 mice per cage). A red tunnel protects them from light during the resting period.