The Neurobiology of Overcrowding

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Abstract

The present article considers the influence of crowded living of rodents in laboratory conditions on the development of emotional, cognitive and motor changes in behavior. Physiological parameters (body weight gain, state of organs and body systems), locomotor/investigatory activity and manifestations of anxiety and depression-like behavior under crowding are presented. Special attention is paid to the relationship between crowding and stress, changes in learning/memory, and gender-specific behaviors in conditions of crowding. A comparative characterization of isolation stress and crowding is given, highlighting the significant role of “social interaction” as a mitigating influence on the development of stress and other negative consequences. The available biochemical, hormonal, immunological, molecular-cellular and other transformations in the organism under the influence of crowding are also considered in different sections of the article.

About the authors

G. A. Grigoryan

Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS

Email: grigorygrigoryan@hotmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3769-0570
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Chief Scientist Moscow

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