Nature Reviews Neuroscience has an interesting article that summarizes the latest findings about neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in adult mice and how exposure to enriched environments and experience leads to later onset of diseases in transgenic mice models of human diseases like Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, fragile X and Down syndrome, as well as various forms of brain injury.
This is exciting news and lends credence to the fact that for full flowering and upkeep of your mental faculties, mental exercises and stimulating mental environment is a must.
Hat Tip : The Frontal Cortex
Further excellent analysis of the enriched environment studies is available at the Brain Connections.