Neuroscience
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Environmental enrichment (EE) has been consistently reported to enhance cognitive function in mouse models of neuropathology. Microglia, implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathology, may mediate this effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EE on cognitive function and microglia in mouse models of aging and amyloidosis. ⋯ APP/PS1 mice from EE had significantly (p = 0.01) higher colocalization of Iba1 and CD-68 labeling, indicative of increased phagocytic microglia compared to mice from SH. The findings of the present study suggest that EE after substantial brain amyloidosis, has the potential to preserve domains of cognitive function, while having no effect on Aβ deposition. The current study demonstrates that EE may attenuate microglia in aging APP/PS1 mice, and may promote alterations in cellular phenotype.