Affiliations: Division for Experimental Brain Research, Department
of Clinical Neuroscience, Lund University, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center,
Lund, Sweden. Tel.: 46 46 222 0621; Fax: 46 46 222 0626; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Our genes interact with environmental stimuli throughout our lives.
The attitude and reaction to an acute cerebral trauma or stroke, as well as the
pre-lesion life event and activities, can influence functional outcome.
Although difficult to separate in adult human beings, genetic and environmental
factors can be selectively evaluated in animal studies. Post- ischemic housing
in an enriched environment, i.e. larger cages which allow both social
interaction and various activities improves functional outcome, modifies gene
activation, and increases dendrite branching and number of dendritic spines in
pyramidal neurons in layers II-III in the contra-lateral cortex. Furthermore,
it alters lesion-induced progenitor cell differentiation and interacts with
neocortical transplantation, drug treatment and training. It is proposed that
the interaction between environment and specific treatment needs more clinical
attention, and that a general stimulating and positive environment is the
optimal base for specific interventions in neurological rehabilitation.
