Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice
Published on: March 11, 2020
Effects of undernutrition on glutamatergic parameters in the cerebral cortex of young rats
Liane N Rotta1, Daniel N Leszczinski, Ana M Brusque
1Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. lianerotta@hotmail.com
Insights
Perinatal undernutrition in rats impairs brain development, affecting memory and cognitive functions. This study links reduced glutamate binding and uptake to these behavioral deficits in young rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Perinatal undernutrition negatively impacts brain development and cognitive functions.
- Glutamatergic neurotransmission plays a crucial role in learning and memory processes.
- Understanding these effects is vital for addressing developmental brain disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of perinatal undernutrition on glutamatergic parameters and behavior in 21-day-old rats.
- To determine if specific alterations in glutamate binding or uptake correlate with cognitive impairments.
Main Methods:
- Rats were subjected to either low-protein (8%) or control (25%) diets during the perinatal period.
- Cerebral cortex tissue was analyzed for Na-independent [(3)H]Glutamate binding and vesicular uptake.
- Behavioral tests included inhibitory avoidance (short- and long-term memory) and open field tests.
Main Results:
- Undernutrition significantly reduced Na-independent [(3)H]Glutamate binding in cerebral cortex membranes.
- Vesicular [(3)H]Glutamate uptake was also decreased in undernourished rats.
- Significant memory deficits (amnesic effect) and reduced exploratory behavior were observed in undernourished rats.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal undernutrition alters key glutamatergic parameters in the developing rat brain.
- These neurochemical changes are associated with significant impairments in memory and behavior.
- Early life nutrition is critical for normal brain maturation and cognitive development.
Abstract:
Perinatal undernutrition impairs maturational events in the development of the brain, resulting in a variety of brain dysfunctions, which affect cognitive functions. This study investigated the effects of pre- and post-natal undernutrition (diet: 8% protein; control group: 25% protein) on some glutamatergic and behavioral parameters of 21-day-old rats. In the cerebral cortex, undernutrition reduced the Na-independent [(3)H]Glutamate binding in cellular membranes and [(3)H]Glutamate vesicular uptake, without affecting the [(3)H]Glutamate uptake by slices preparation. Behavioral parameters were affected, showing a strong amnesic effect both in the short- and long-term memory of inhibitory avoidance tasks, and a significant reduction in the number of crossings in an open field. The effects of perinatal undernutrition in 21-day-old rats, which alter some glutamatergic parameters may be related to the impairment of memory in certain behavioral tasks.
