From Basic Visual Science to Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Voyage of Environmental Enrichment-Like Stimulation

Figure 1

Exposure to conditions of environmental enrichment modulates a number of key molecular factors involved in brain plasticity and repair, favoring recovery of sensory functions (e.g., visual acuity and binocular matching) and improvement of learning/memory abilities in neurodevelopmental disorders. The molecular factors involved in the beneficial effects elicited by enrichment-like conditions can become the target for successful pharmacological manipulations and potential translational application to the clinic.