Sensory Stimulation Protects from Stroke Damage in Awake Animals

From the Society for Neuroscience 2011 press release.
Fascinating idea.
http://www.sfn.org/siteobjects/published/0000BDF20016F63800FD712C30FA42DD/7EEDCCFAE51E16A50C47ADCDB808E614/file/Brain%20Repair%20Release%20Final%20Draft.pdf
Exploring an engaging, novel environment soon after a stroke protects rats from brain damage, according to new research presented at Neuroscience 2011, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world‟s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health. The findings suggest that sensory stimulation benefits stroke recovery whether the victim is anesthetized or awake.
Previous studies, led by Ron Frostig, PhD, of the University of California, Irvine, found that anesthetized rats undergoing an ischemic stroke could be protected from brain damage if they received sensory stimulation within two hours of stroke onset. The current study found rats were also fully protected if immediately awakened from anesthesia after ischemic stroke and placed in an “enriched environment” replete with buried treats, tunnels, and toys. Conversely, rats revived from anesthesia three hours following the stroke and placed in the same environment suffered damage.
“A phrase commonly heard in stroke treatment is „time is brain,‟” said Frostig. “It may be possible to develop a stroke treatment strategy that could be initiated by a friend, loved one, or first responder prior to arrival at a treatment facility,” he said.
Research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Scientific Presentation: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 10–11 a.m., Halls A–C