The effect of palmitic acid on spatial learning and extinction in adult male rat

The aim of the present study is for evaluating the effect of different doses of palmitic acid on spatial learning in T-maze. So, Wister adult male rats were used in five groups and considered 10 rats for each group. The first group as a control group was fed with ordinary diet. Four groups were fed with a diet containing palmitic acid (10%) for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, then rats were trained for spatial learning task by using T-maze at subsequently 9 days based on standard method. The result showed that, spatial learning increased by diet containing palmitic acid 10% for 1, 2 and 3 weeks were significant (p<0.05). However, dietary palmitic acid effect on learning because palmitic acid via palmitoylation modifies numerous important neuronal protein including GAP-43, NMDA receptor, AMPA receptor and these receptors are critical role in learning.