Reduced masticatory loading during growth impairs spatial memory

先前的研究已经报道，当咀嚼负荷减少时，老年人或加速衰老的小鼠的认知功能会下降。本研究的目的是探讨低咀嚼负荷条件下的认知功能在生长期的变化。减少咀嚼负荷会损害生长阶段认知功能的假说得到了检验。将2周龄雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为两组：对照组饲喂全粒饲料，实验组饲喂流质饲料。用8径向迷宫评定认知功能。结果表明，生长期咀嚼负荷的减少会增加海马神经元的丢失，从而导致生长期大鼠认知功能的损害。

Previous studies have reported that cognitive function declines in aged humans or senescence-accelerated mice when masticatory loading decreases. The purpose of the present study was to investigate cognitive functional changes under conditions of low masticatory loading during a growth period. The hypothesis that decreased masticatory loading impaired cognitive function during the growing period was tested. Male Wistar rats, 2 weeks old, were assigned to two groups: control, fed whole pellets; experimental group, fed a liquid diet. Cognitive function was assessed using the 8-radial-maze. Results suggested that decreased masticatory loading during the growth period enhanced hippocampal neuronal loss, which led to impaired cognitive function in growing rats.