The Effects of Neonatal Pain on Adult Pain Sensitivity: Modulation by Enriched Environments

Abstract

Environmental enrichment, characterized by increased social interactions, physical activity, and exploratory behavior, has been shown to modulate the effects of early life stress on adult pain behavior in rodents. However, there is currently no research that has analyzed the modulating properties of environmental enrichment on neonatal pain and adult pain behavior. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether an enriched environment can modulate the effects of neonatal pain on adult pain sensitivity. To test our hypothesis neonatal mice pups were placed in either the surgical, sham or control group followed by an enriched or standard environment for 8 weeks. Results from different pain test revealed that environmental enrichment can modulate or buffer the long-term hypoalgesic or hyperalgesic effects of neonatal pain on adult pain behavior. These results led us to conclude that environmental enrichment alters pain behavior in adult mice that were exposed to a neonatal noxious stimulus.