Cognitive deficits in chronically undernourished rodents: Analogies to neuropsychological deficits in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Author(s): Gopel, C., Blanz, B.

Journal/Book: Z Kinder Jugendpsychiat Psych. 1997; 25: Langgass-Strasse 76, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland. Verlag Hans Huber. 160-167.

Abstract: Improvement in cognitive functions with weight gain in patients with anorexia nervosa leads to the assumption that cognitive functions decrease during longlasting self-starvation In the present study the effects of chronic undernutrition on learning abilities, in rodents were investigated in an open-field test and a passive avoidance paradigm. The findings suggest that cognitive deficits after a weight loss of 32% of normal weight may be caused by undernutrition. Further research is necessary to clarify other influencing conditions and identify the underlying biochemical mechanisms.

Note: Article Schmidt MH, Klin Psychiat & Psychotherapie Kindes & Jugendalt, Zent Inst Seel Gesundheit, D-68159 Mannheim, GERMANY

Keyword(s): cognitive deficits; undernutrition in animals; animal experiment; anorexia nervosa; MEMBRANE FLUIDITY; CEREBRAL ATROPHY; FRONTAL-CORTEX; DEVELOPING RAT; OPEN-FIELD; BRAIN; UNDERNUTRITION; DENSITY; MOUSE

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