Social and spatial changes induce multiple survival regimes for new neurons in two regions of the adult brain: An anatomical representation of time?

Behav Brain Res. 2006 Feb 15;167(1):63-74. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.08.018. Epub 2005 Oct 10.

Abstract

Male zebra finches reared in family groups were housed initially in small indoors cages with three other companions. At 4-5 months of age these birds were treated with [(3)H]-thymidine and then placed in large outdoors aviaries by themselves or with other zebra finches. Counts of new neurons were made 40, 60 and 150 days after the change in housing. Recruitment of new neurons in nidopallium caudale (NC) was higher than in the hippocampal complex (HC); but in both brain regions it was higher in communally housed birds than in birds housed singly, suggesting that the complexity of the social setting affects new neuron survival. In addition, the new neurons lived longer in rostral NC than in its caudal counterpart, and neuronal turnover was faster and more significant in NC than in HC. Albeit indirect, this may be the first suggestion that different parts of the brain upgrade memories at different time intervals, yielding an anatomical representation of time.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Autoradiography / methods
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Body Weights and Measures
  • Brain Mapping
  • Caudate Nucleus / cytology*
  • Cell Count / methods
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Finches
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Male
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / metabolism
  • Recruitment, Neurophysiological / physiology
  • Social Environment*
  • Social Isolation
  • Staining and Labeling / methods
  • Thymidine / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Tritium / metabolism
  • Vocalization, Animal / physiology*

Substances

  • Tritium
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
  • Thymidine