Socially-induced brain ‘fertilization’: play promotes brain derived neurotrophic factor transcription in the amygdala and dorsolateral frontal cortex in juvenile rats

Summary & key facts

Researchers studied 32-day-old juvenile rats and found that 30 minutes of rough-and-tumble play raised levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in two brain areas: the amygdala and the dorsolateral frontal cortex. The team measured BDNF gene activity with in situ hybridization. The authors say these short-term changes suggest play might help shape higher brain regions involved in emotional behavior, but the work was done in rats and does not by itself prove effects in humans.

Key facts:

• The study used 32-day-old juvenile rats and allowed them to play for 30 minutes before measuring brain changes.
• In situ hybridization showed significantly elevated BDNF mRNA (brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene activity) in the amygdala after play.
• In situ hybridization also showed significantly elevated BDNF mRNA in the dorsolateral frontal cortex after play.
• The authors interpret the results to mean play may help program higher brain regions involved in emotional behaviors.
• This was an animal study (rats, Long-Evans strain) measuring mRNA levels; it did not measure long-term outcomes or directly test effects in humans.

Topics

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Child Development and Digital Technology Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Categories

Cognitive Neuroscience Life Sciences Neuroscience

Tags

Amygdala Biochemistry Biology Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Cognition Cortex (anatomy) Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Endocrinology Gene Gene expression Genetics In situ hybridization Internal medicine Juvenile Medicine Neuroscience Neurotrophic factors Prefrontal cortex Psychology Receptor