Neural consequences of environmental enrichment

Neuronal plasticity is a central theme of modern neurobiology, from cellula r and molecular mechanisms of synapse formation in Drosophila to behavioura l recovery from strokes in elderly humans. Although the methods used to mea sure plastic responses differ, the stimuli required to elicit plasticity ar e thought to be activity-dependent. In this article, we focus on the neuron al changes that occur in response to complex stimulation by an enriched env ironment. We emphasize the behavioural and neurobiological consequences of specific elements of enrichment, especially exercise and learning.