Enriched housing reverses age-associated impairment of cognitive functions and tPA-dependent maturation of BDNF

► Hippocampal expression of tPA and mBDNF is reduced with age. ► Enriched housing counteracts these age-associated impairments. ► These effects in turn correlate with improved spatial and emotional memories. ► tPA-BDNF axis could control cognitive functions influenced both by age and housing.