Mechanisms mediating the production of environmentally induced brain changes

Notes that as yet no satisfactory explanation has been advanced to explain the mechanisms mediating the anatomical and biochemical brain changes induced by exposing animals to environments rich in sensory stimuli. It is hypothesized here that a fundamental mechanism is the arousal response, since alterations in arousal appear to be concomitants of all such environmentally induced changes. The properties of the arousal reaction are discussed in terms of their possible relationship to the neurological changes induced, and evidence is presented indicating that this mechanism may be common to several areas of environmental stimulation research which have previously been thought of as separate investigative fields. Several possible tests of the hypothesis are presented, and an underlying cellular response sequence transducing electrical into biosynthetic activity is discussed. (41/2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1975 American Psychological Association.