Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Impairment in Parents and Progeny of Perinatal Dietary Protein Deficiency Models
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Date
2019-08-21
Authors
Ebuehi, O.A.T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
frontiers in Neuroscience
Abstract
There is an absolute dependence of the concept of development on supply of
adequately balanced nutrients especially during the perinatal age which is critical to
development. Therefore, an upgraded nutrition is specially required during gestation
and lactation, as this is the critical period of neurodevelopment. This study sought to
investigate the effect of protein deficiency during gestation (F0) and lactation through
to adolescence on neurological functions of subsequent (F1 and F2) generations,
establishing the possible consequential mechanistic association. Rats in four groups
were fed different rations of protein diets (PD) as formulated: 21% PD, 10% PD, 5%
PD and control diet (standard rat chow, containing 16–18% protein), from adolescent
through to gestation and lactation, next generations were weaned to the maternal
diet group. Neurobehavioral studies (which include; Surface righting reflex, Negative
geotaxis, Learning and Memory tests), brain oxidative stress and quantification of
serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain were conducted. Result shows significantly
altered neurobehavior, reflected in the reduction of reflex response and postural
reaction score at P ≤ 0.05. There was also a transgenerational cognitive impairment
of brain function in the F-generations, following perinatal protein malnutrition as
shown in the Y-maze result, measuring spatial memory and Morris water maze result
(cognition), providing a background for the observed sensorimotor response. The
significant increase in dopamine level, decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the
protein deficient brain groups are consistent with significantly altered serotonin system,
critical to neurodevelopment and functional activities of learning and memory. Therefore,
persistent early life protein deficiency mediates dysfunction in neurodevelopment and
this involves life-long changes in key neurotransmitters and the brain redox status
underlying the neurobehavioral display.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: neurobehavior, cognitive function, protein deficiency, neurotransmitter, transgeneration, perinatal
Citation
Nosarieme O Abey, Osaretin A.T Ebuehi, Ngozi O.A Imaga, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos