title: Effect of cassava consumption on open-field behavior and brain neurotransmitters in albino rats.
abstract: Diet exerts a critical influence on human biology and thus studies on the interrelationship of nutrition and behavior continues to be a major and important focus of research in the natural experimental sciences. Cassava is known to cause metabolic and neurological derangement on long-term consumption as a staple diet in the tropics. In this article we present the effects of cassava consumption on open-field behavior and catecholamine levels in the hypothalamus of albino rats. Cassava consumption for 30 days alters the emotional status of the rats, with changes in the basal neurotransmitter levels in the hypothalamus. The role of the cyanide (liberated from cassava) and protein deficiency (associated with cassava consumption) has been discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Dr.ALM.Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, 600 113, Madras, India.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mathangi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Namasivayam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D002365:Manihot / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000166:cytology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents