Functional outcome in rats transferred to an enriched environment 15 days after focal brain ischemia

Background and Purpose The aim was to determine whether a delayed transfer to Methods Performance on a rotating pole, prehensile traction, limb placement, and postural reflexes were tested in 15 spontaneously hypertensive rats housed in standard laboratory cages for 2 weeks after middle cerebral artery ligation. Seven of the 15 rats were then transferred to an enriched environment, and the two groups were tested 1, 3, and 5 weeks later. Results The enriched environment significantly improved pole performance? prehensile traction. and limb placement. Conclusions Delayed postoperative environmental enrichment improves outcome in experimental stroke.