title: Can a reward-based behavioural test be used to investigate the effect of protein-energy malnutrition on hippocampal function?
abstract: Our laboratory is investigating the effects of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) on cognitive outcome following global ischemia. Here, we investigated whether PEM independently impairs working memory in the T-maze and if the associated food reward reverses PEM. Gerbils were fed 12.5% (control diet) or 2% protein. A loss of body weight (20.1%) in the 2% protein group and decreased food intake and serum albumin concentration compared to controls (17.5% and 18.2%, respectively) indicated that PEM was achieved. Based on T-maze criterion frequently used in ischemia studies, no difference was observed in the mean (+/- SEM) number of trials required (control 5.2 +/- 0.7; PEM 4.9 +/- 0.4; p = 0.758) or the number of animals reaching criterion (control 10/12; PEM 12/12; p = 0.140). Using more stringent criterion, PEM animals required fewer trials (control 7.3 +/- 0.7; PEM 5.4 +/- 0.4; p = 0.035), and more reached criterion (control 8/12; PEM 12/12; p = 0.028). PEM may increase motivation to obtain a food reward.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada.
authors.forename: Erin J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Prosser-Loose
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Saucier
authors.forename: Phyllis G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D002149:Energy Intake; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012201:Reward; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin