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Updated: Sep 22, 2025
09:31
Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives
Published on: May 14, 2019
16.9K
Calcium carbonate supplementation causes motor dysfunction
Ami Sugiura1, Misa Kitamura1, Yasushi Hasegawa1
1College of Environmental Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran, Hokkaido 050-8585, Japan.
Experimental Animals
|May 18, 2022
Summary
Calcium carbonate in mouse diets caused significant motor dysfunction and decreased dopamine levels in the brain. This impairment, similar to Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Previous research indicated calcium carbonate impairs memory in mice.
- The impact of calcium carbonate on motor function remained unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dietary calcium carbonate on motor function in mice.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of calcium carbonate-induced motor deficits.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed diets with 0.6% or 1.0% calcium carbonate for eight weeks.
- Motor function was assessed using tests for akinesia, coordination, balance, and locomotor activity.
- Dopamine levels and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the basal ganglia were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Calcium carbonate supplementation induced significant motor dysfunction across various tests.
- Spontaneous locomotor activity remained unchanged.
- Dopamine content and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons decreased in the basal ganglia.
- L-dopa administration partially reversed the motor deficits.
Conclusions:
- Dietary calcium carbonate causes motor dysfunction in mice by reducing dopamine levels in the basal ganglia.
- This study identifies a potential new animal model for Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
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