The influence of environment and experience on neural grafts

Environmental enrichment, behavioural experience and cell transplantation can each influence neuronal plasticity and recovery of function after brain damage, and each has been extensively investigated in its own right. However, the degree to which housing conditions or behavioural training can modify the survival, integration or function of transplanted tissues is less well established. Here we review the limited literature available, and suggest that this factor should be considered and integrated into the postoperative care that follows the clinical application of neural transplantation.