Environmental Enrichment as a Positive Behavioral Intervention Across the Lifespan

Title:Environmental Enrichment as a Positive Behavioral Intervention Across the Lifespan

Volume: 15 Issue: 4

Author(s): P. Sampedro-Piquero*A. Begega

Affiliation:

• Department of Biological and Health Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049, Madrid,Spain

Keywords: Aging, experience-dependent plasticity, animal model, environmental enrichment, neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Background: In recent decades, the interest in behavioral interventions has been growing due to the higher prevalence of age-related cognitive impairments. Hence, behavioral interventions, such as cognitive stimulation and physical activity, and along with these, our lifestyle (education level, work position, frequency of cognitive and social activities) have shown important benefits during the cognitive impairment, dementia and even recovery after brain injury. This is due to the fact that this type of intervention and activities promote the formation of a cognitive and brain reserve that allows tolerating brain damage during a long period of time without the appearance of cognitive symptoms. With regard to this, animal models have proved very useful in providing information about the brain mechanisms involved in the development of these cognitive and brain reserves and how they interact with each other.

Cite this article as:

Sampedro-Piquero P.*, Begega A., Environmental Enrichment as a Positive Behavioral Intervention Across the Lifespan, Current Neuropharmacology 2017; 15 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X14666160325115909