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Figure 4 | BMC Neuroscience

Figure 4

From: Physical activity and environmental enrichment regulate the generation of neural precursors in the adult mouse substantia nigra in a dopamine-dependent manner

Figure 4

Effect of physiological stimulation on absolute numbers of BrdU+ cells and doublelabelled BrdU+/NG2+ cells in the SN. A: In healthy controls RUN and ENR induced a significant increase in the number of BrdU+ cells in the SNpr compared to STAN at all time points. RUN and ENR had no effect in MPTP treated mice at any time point. In short term groups MPTP induced a significant increase in the number of newborn cells in the SN compared to saline-treated controls, independently of physiological stimulation. B: At day 10 the number of BrdU+ cells was significantly influenced when MPTP-treated mice additionally received levodopa (p<0.001). There was a significant interaction effect between the three main factors (p=0.001). Specifically, levodopa strengthened the effects of physiological stimulation (RUN and ENR) on BrdU+ cells in MPTP groups compared to controls without levodopa. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001 versus corresponding STAN. C: In healthy controls ENR induced a significant increase in the number of BrdU+/ NG2+ cells in the SN compared to STAN at all time points. RUN induced a significant increase in the number of NG2+ cells in the SN compared to STAN at 10 and 28 days. RUN and ENR significantly increased the number of BrdU+/ NG2+ cells in MPTP treated mice only at the 3d time point. In short term groups MPTP induced a significant increase in the number of BrdU+ /NG2- positive cells in the SN compared to saline-treated controls, independently of physiological stimulation. D: At day 10 the number of NG2+ and BrdU+ cells was significantly influenced by levodopa and physiological stimulation. The significant interaction effect between MPTP, levodopa and physiological stimulation shows that levodopa strengthened the effects of physiological stimulation (RUN and ENR) on BrdU+ cells in MPTP groups in contrast to controls without levoopa. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001 versus corresponding STAN.

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