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In search of features that constitute an “enriched environment” in humans: Associations between geographical properties and brain structure

Author

Listed:
  • Kühn, Simone
  • Düzel, Sandra
  • Eibich, Peter
  • Krekel, Christian
  • Wüstemann, Henry
  • Kolbe, Jens
  • Martensson, Johann
  • Goebel, Jan
  • Gallinat, Jürgen
  • Wagner, Gert G.
  • Lindenberger, Ulman

Abstract

Enriched environments elicit brain plasticity in animals. In humans it is unclear which environment is enriching. Living in a city has been associated with increased amygdala activity in a stress paradigm, and being brought up in a city with increased pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) activity. We set out to identify geographical characteristics that constitute an enriched environment affecting the human brain. We used structural equation modelling on 341 older adults to establish three latent brain factors (amygdala, pACC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)) to test the effects of forest, urban green, water and wasteland around the home address. Our results reveal a significant positive association between the coverage of forest and amygdala integrity. We conclude that forests may have salutogenic effects on the integrity of the amygdala. Since cross-sectional data does not allow causal inference it could also be that individuals with high structural integrity choose to live closer to forest.

Suggested Citation

  • Kühn, Simone & Düzel, Sandra & Eibich, Peter & Krekel, Christian & Wüstemann, Henry & Kolbe, Jens & Martensson, Johann & Goebel, Jan & Gallinat, Jürgen & Wagner, Gert G. & Lindenberger, Ulman, 2017. "In search of features that constitute an “enriched environment” in humans: Associations between geographical properties and brain structure," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 7, pages 1-8.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:200240
    DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12046-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Christine Bertram & Jan Goebel & Christian Krekel & Katrin Rehdanz, 2022. "Urban Land Use Fragmentation and Human Well-Being," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 98(2), pages 399-420.

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