Alpha-linolenic acid deficiency modifies distractibility but not anxiety and locomotion in rats during aging

In rodents, chronic dietary alpha-linolenic acid deficiency decreases learning and memory and alters dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmission. However, these two neurotransmitter systems are related mainly to attention, emotion and locomotion. Therefore, we decided to investigate the effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acid deficiency in rats tested with animal models of distractibility (the distractometer procedure), anxiety (the elevated plus maze) and ambulatory activity (a circular corridor). Moreover, because these neurochemical modifications persist during aging, we decided to study the effects of aging on these behaviors by using rats aged 2, 6, 12 and 24 mo. An age-related decline in distractibility was observed that was accelerated by linolenic acid deficiency. Indeed, an age-related reduction in distractibility was found in so far as distraction time was reduced at the age of 12 mo in controls and at the age of 24 mo in deficient groups compared with 2-mo-old rats. Moreover, distraction time was significantly lower in 6- and 24-mo-old rats fed a deficient diet compared with age-matched controls. Anxiety was not modified by diet or age. Finally, a parallel decrease in locomotion was exhibited by rats fed both diets between 6 and 12 mo of age. Locomotion was not modified by diet. These results show that dietary alpha-linolenic deficiency alters behavior in a very specific way; distractibility is modified by diet, whereas anxiety and locomotion are not, suggesting that particular brain areas may be altered.