Environment, social interaction, and physical activity as determinants of functional outcome after cerebral infarction in the rat

摘要: Rats housed in an enriched environment allowing both social interaction and physical activity improve more than rats standard laboratory cages after focal brain ischemia. To determine the relative importance of activity, that sustained ligation middle cerebral artery were kept with opportunities for various activities (group A), together same size cage as group A but no activity-stimulating equipment B), or individual a running wheel C). There was significant difference infarct between groups. Limb placement, climbing, balance on inclined plane, ability to traverse beam rotating pole repeatedly tested 2-13 weeks operation. During entire postoperative period, performed significantly better C all tests B pole. With time they also limb plane. Group plane climbing at times, by 13 placement test beam. Thus, superior wheel-running free combined resulted best performance.