Rosenzweig and Bennet ANIMAL STDY

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

to see if environmental factors affect the development of neurons in the brain

Question 2

method

Answer 2

male rats from different litters were allocated to 2 conditions
- enriched (toys,10-12 rats, maze training and food&water)
- deprived (no toys, alone, food&water, small cage)

4-10 weeks in there and then autopsies were made with blind procedure
- brains were dissected, weighed
- cell growth and neurotransmitter activity analyzed

Question 3

results

Answer 3

found that enriched condition rats had 7-10%
-heavier and thicker frontal lobe
- more acetylcholine receptors (associated w learning & memory)

than the deprived condition

Question 4

conclusion

Answer 4

sensory enrichment or deprivation might influence brain development

study may provide insight into neurological and cognitive developmental differences found in children that come from different backgrounds