Environmental enrichment alleviates the deleterious effects of stress in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background Clinical observations support the hypothesis that stressful events increase relapse occurrence in multiple sclerosis patients, while stress-reduction strategies can modulate this effect. However, a direct cause-effect relationship between stress level and relapse cannot be firmly established from these data. Objectives The purpose of this work was to address whether modulation of stress could interfere with symptom relapse in an animal model of multiple sclerosis with relapsing-remitting course. Methods Mice bred in standard or enriched environment were subjected to repeated acute stress during the remission phase of relapsing-remitting PLP-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Results We report that repeated acute stress induced a twofold increase in relapse incidence in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. On the other hand, environmental enrichment reduced relapse incidence and severity, and reversed the effects of repeated acute stress. Conclusion These data provide the platform for further studies on the biological processes that link stress and multiple sclerosis relapses in a suitable animal model.