Short communicationBrief 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 5 min (total duration of 15-25 min), 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.