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 that were allowed 30 minutes of rough-and-tumble play. Right after play, the rats showed higher levels of BDNF messenger RNA in the amygdala and dorsolateral frontal cortex, measured with in situ hybridization. The authors suggested this could mean play helps shape brain areas tied to emotion, but the finding was an immediate, short-term molecular change seen in rats.

Key facts:

• The study used 32-day-old juvenile rats.
• Rats were allowed 30 minutes of rough-and-tumble (R&T) play before tissue was collected.
• Play increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA levels in the amygdala.
• Play also increased BDNF mRNA levels in the dorsolateral frontal cortex.
• BDNF mRNA was measured using in situ hybridization (a method that detects specific RNA in brain tissue).
• The authors noted the results suggest play may help program higher brain regions involved in emotional behaviors, but the study measured immediate mRNA changes in rats and did not show long-term effects, protein levels, or effects in humans
• The paper was published in 2003 (Neuroscience Letters).

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