Effect of early undernutrition on reactivity of the rat parietal association area

Abstract

Cortical reactivity of parietal association area was studied in normal and undernourished rats. (i) The normal group was from mothers which were fed a 21.5% protein diet during lactation. (ii) The undernourished group was from mothers which were fed a 6.5% protein diet during the same period. At 21 days of age (weaning age) all animals received the same diet as that fed to the normal group. At 45 days of age, cortical chronaxie and fatigability of direct cortical responses were evaluated. The results showed that postnatal malnutrition induced alterations on cortical reactivity of that area. © 1983.