In the hippocampus, which is the center of cognition and emotion, nerve cells (neurons) are produced even after development (adult hippocampal neurogenesis phenomenon).These neurons, called neonatal neurons, play important roles in memory and learning, and are interestingly increased and stressed in animals housed in certain stimulating cages (rich environments) such as wheels and toys. It is said that it will decrease in animals in the environment.However, many mysteries remained about the mechanism.
The joint research group of Kyushu University, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, and Aichi Medical University has now discovered for the first time in the world that chondroitin sulfate, which is known as a component of cartilage, plays a key role in the adult hippocampal neurogenesis phenomenon. ..
Focusing on the fact that the expression level of chondroitin sulfate in the hippocampus increases or decreases depending on environmental factors, this research group investigated the relationship with the adult hippocampal neurogenesis phenomenon.It was discovered that artificial decomposition of chondroitin sulfate reduces the number of newborn neurons and reduces memory and learning ability.
Therefore, when genetically modified mice lacking the enzyme required for chondroitin sulfate synthesis were bred in a rich environment, unlike mice without genetic modification, the number of newborn neurons increased and memory and learning ability improved. I didn't.That is, it is considered that chondroitin sulfate plays an important role when the "rich environment" "effectives" on the brain.
It has been pointed out that an environment rich in stimulation through the five senses may be important for the development of the brain in children and the maintenance of brain function in the elderly.In the future, if it becomes possible to control the biohippocampal neurogenesis phenomenon by appropriate environmental stimulation and regulation of chondroitin sulfate expression, it is expected to lead to the development of new therapeutic methods for brain and heart diseases.
Paper information:[The Journal of Neuroscience] Increased synthesis of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan promotes adult hippocampalneurogenesis in response to enriched environment
