Memory and Learning in Male CD-1 Mice Based on Different Protein Diets Administered from in utero to Early Postnatal Development Jasmine Chambers Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania INTRODUCTION A proper protein diet is essential during the early stages of life for brain development. Not consuming enough protein can affect cognitive function, including spatial learning and memory (Bonatto et al. 2005). Previous studies have focused on protein malnutrition (Bonatto et al, 2005; Wang and Xu, 2007; Fukuda et al, 2002), but there is little research on how a high protein diet can affect brain development. This study examined how protein affects early development by feeding. pregnant mice a low (8%), normal (20%), or high (40%) protein diet during pregnancy and through lactation. Pups were tested using a Barnes maze for learning retention. METHODS RESULTS FUTURE STUDIES LITERATURE CITED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OBJECTIVES 1)Examine the effects of different protein diets on memory in male mice 2)Compare diets and decipher if one diet is better for learning retention Bonatto, F., Polydoro, M., Andrades, M.E., Frota Junio, M., Dal-Pizzol, F., Rotta, L.N., Souza, D.O., Perry, M.L, and Moreia, J Effects of protein malnutrition on redox state of the hippocampus of rat. Brain Research 1042: Fukuda, M., Francolin-Silva, A.L., and Almeida, S.S Early postnatal protein malnutrition affects learning and memory in the distal but not in the proximal cue version of the Morris water maze. Behavioral Brain Research 133: Rotta, L. N., Leszczinski, D. N., Brusque, A. M., Pereira, P., Brum, L. F. S., Nogueira, C. W., Frizzo, M. E. S., Perry, M. L. S., Souza, D. O Effects of undernutrition on glutamatergic parameters in the cerebral cortex of young rats. Physiology & Behavior 94: Wang, L. and Xu, R-J The effects of perinatal protein malnutrition on spatial learning and memory behavior and brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in the brain tissue in young rats. Journal of Clinical Nutrition 16: Start with more pregnant mice to ensure larger sample sizes Longer training phases and/or more trials Also test non-spatial learning (e.g. Rotarod) to measure neuronal development CONCLUSIONS Memory and learning seemed to improve for each diet group (smaller elapsed times) However, one diet does not appear to be superior over the others There was a least one mouse from each diet group that failed to find the escape box throughout training There is currently no set protocol to be used for the Barnes maze; could be responsible for contradicting results An accepted protocol may come as the Barnes maze gains popularity in research I would like to thank Dr. Rehnberg for his guidance and support throughout my research, Dr. Hagerty for statistical help, and Joan Carpenter for taking care of my mice when I was unable. Obtain pregnant mice 8% diet (n = 2) 20% diet (n = 2) 40% diet (n = 2) Gestation & birth Wean pups (20% diet) Only test males from each group N = 5 (low group) N = 9 (control group) N = 12 (high group) Test on Barnes maze Photographed by: Eyitemi Opuogen