Food restriction affects Y‐maze spatial recognition memory in developing mice

Abstract

The ambiguous effects of food restriction (FR) on cognition in rodents have been mostly explored in the aged brain by a variety of paradigms, in which either rewards or punishments are involved. This study aims to examine the effects of chronic and acute FR with varying intensities on spatial recognition memory in developing mice. We have used a Y-maze task that is based on the innate tendency of rodents to explore novel environments. In chronic FR, mice had 70-30% chow of control for seven weeks. In acute FR, mice were food restricted for 12-48h before the tests. We found that chronic FR had no effect on the preference of mice for novelty in the Y-maze, but severe FR (50-30% of control) caused impairment on spatial recognition memory. The impairment significantly correlated with the slow weight growth induced by FR. Acute FR also did not affect the novelty preference of mice, but either improved or impaired the memory retention. These data suggest chronic FR impairs Y-maze spatial recognition memory in developing mice depending on FR intensity and individual tolerability of the FR. Moreover, acute FR exerts diverse effects on the memory, either positive or negative. Our findings have revealed new insights on the effects of FR on spatial recognition memory in developing animals.

Moderate early life stress improves adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) working memory but does not affect social and anxiety‐like responses

“…In this task, over the course of multiple arm entries, animals have a natural tendency to enter the recently visited arm less frequently, thus increasing the number of alternations in turn‐direction across the test (Drew, Miller, & Baugh, 1973; Hughes, 2004; Kokkinidis & Anisman, 1976; Swonger & Rech, 1972). In general, various configurations of the Y‐maze task have been used to study learning and processes in animal models, including rodents (Fu et al., 2017; Ghafouri et al., 2016; Luine, 2015) and fish (Aoki, Tsuboi, & Okamoto, 2015; Cleal & Parker, 2018; Cognato Gde et al., 2012). Both decreased alternations and increased repetitions are affected pharmacologically by muscarinic and NMDA‐receptor antagonists, and additionally by β‐amyloid peptides in rodents (Cunha et al., 2008; Hiramatsu & Inoue, 2000; Park et al., 2010; Walker & Gold, 1992).…”

Moderate early-life stress improves adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) spatial short-term memory but does not affect social and anxiety-like responses

“…In this task, over the course of multiple arm entries, animals have a natural tendency to enter the recently visited arm less frequently, thus increasing the number of alternations across the test (Drew, Miller, & Baugh, 1973; Hughes, 2004; Kokkinidis & Anisman, 1976; Swonger & Rech, 1972). In general, various configurations of the Y-maze task have been used to study learning and processes in animal models, including rodents (Fu et al, 2017; Ghafouri et al, 2016; Luine, 2015) and fish (Aoki, Tsuboi, & Okamoto, 2015; Cleal & Parker, 2018; Cognato Gde et al, 2012). Both decreased alternations and increased repetitions are affected pharmacologically by muscarinic and NMDA-receptor antagonists, and additionally by β-amyloid peptides in rodents (Cunha et al, 2008; Hiramatsu & Inoue, 2000; Park et al, 2010; Walker & Gold, 1992).…”

Effects of Different Dietary Protocols on General Activity and Frailty of Male Wistar Rats During Aging

“…The literature data are controversial. Some authors reported that chronic caloric restriction in developing mice disturbs spatial learning in mazes if it is severe (39). In contrast, lifelong duration of DR was shown to improve working memory, but DR with the late onset was not capable to ameliorate age-related deficits (33).…”