Comparative analysis of maze complexity: implications for adult hippocampal neurogenesis

TL;DR

This study compares the complexity of different rodent mazes to understand their impact on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and suggests a tool for future research.

Contribution

The study introduces the Architectural Spatial Complexity Index (A-SCI) to quantify maze complexity for neurogenesis research.

Findings

The A-SCI effectively differentiates environmental enrichment from standard housing.

Maze-based and object-based enrichment show no significant difference in complexity.

Rodent maze architectures vary significantly in spatial complexity.

Abstract

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis persists throughout the lifespan in mammals and can be enhanced by environmental enrichment, including spatial complexity. Whilst maze-based enrichment has been suggested to increase neurogenesis in rodents, the relative complexity of different maze architectures has not been quantified, limiting translational research to human environments. This study used the Architectural Spatial Complexity Index (A-SCI), a novel tool, to compare spatial complexity across 16 rodent maze configurations, including mazes suggested to increase neurogenesis. Results confirm that the A-SCI significantly differentiates environmental enrichment from standard housing, whilst post-hoc analysis suggests no significant difference between maze-based and object-based enrichment, consistent with previous research reporting almost similar effects on cortical thickness. Comparative analysis revealed substantial variation in complexity across rodent maze architectures. Future research can use the A-SCI tool to validate the effect of maze complexity on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, while the Hampton Court maze may be a promising translational paradigm from rodents to humans.

Figures