Behavioral and neuropathological manifestations of nutritionally induced central nervous system “aging” in the rat

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the behavioral and neuropathological manifestations of nutritionally induced central nervous system “aging” in the rat. the long-term objective of the present study is to determine any relationship between the accumulation of central nervous system (CNS) lipofuscin and the deterioration of brain functions. in the present experiment accumulation of brain lipofuscin and the behavior related to memory and learning functions were studied in rats chronically fed on a vitamin E deficient diet. Accelerated “aging” with respect to brain accumulation of lipofuscin (intracellular granules exhibiting yellow primary fluorescence) was induced in male rats (Sprague–Dawley) by feeding them an artificial diet deficient in vitamin E. Acquisition and retention of conditional-avoidance response, performance of delayed-alternate responding and retention of one-trial learning of aversive experience were impaired. During testing, the animals were placed on normal laboratory chow; therefore, the senility-like deficits of learning and memory were because of irreversible neuropathology (brain atrophy and lipofuscin accumulation) caused by aging and vitamin E deficient diet. © 1973, Academic Press Inc.