Brief spatial experiences increase granule cell survival in the dentate gyrus of adult rats.

Rats of two experimental groups were placed in an open-field apparatus for 3-5 spatial exploration, each placement lasting 5min (total duration of 15-25min), and had a significantly greater newborn-neuron survival rate of the granule cells than the control group by evaluating the density of 5-bromo-2'deoxyuridine positive cells in the dentate gyrus. This study suggests that brief spatial experiences are sufficient to enhance the survival rate of newborn neurons.