환경적 자극이 성장기 흰쥐의 뇌무게 및 신경전달물질 serotonin 농도에 미치는 영향

Effect of Environmental Stimulation on Brain Weight and Serotonin Concentration of Growing Rats

  This study was aimed to investigate the effect of environmental stimulation on brain growth and serotonion concentration. Twelve male rats weighing 80-100g were randomly divided into two groups according to feeding cage, individually isolated or large enriched grouped. They had standard rat chow and water available ad libitum for 7 weeks. Brain weights of rats housed in a environmentally enriched cage were significantly higher than those of rats housed in a individually isolated cage. Especially, the weight of cerebrum was significantly higher and however, the weights of cerebellum and brain stem were not. Serotonin concentration of cerebrum of the enriched group was also very significantly higher than that of the isolated group. The data suggest that the environmental stimulation may affect cerebrum and brain function via neurotransmitters.