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Is the T‐maze a suitable tool for investigating the effects of protein‐energy malnutrition on functional outcome following global ischemia?

The T‐maze is a sensitive behavioral test used to measure functional outcome in rodent models of global ischemia. As our laboratory is investigating the adverse effects of protein‐energy malnutrition (PEM) on global ischemia, this study determined: 1) if a sunflower seed reward used with the T‐maze would interfere with PEM, and 2) whether PEM impairs working memory prior to the induction of global ischemia. Male Mongolian gerbils (11–12 wks) were randomized for 6 wks to either modified AIN‐93M control diet (12% protein; n=12) or PEM (2% protein; n=12). Gerbils were habituated in the T‐maze for 5 days, followed by 10 win‐shift trials/day for 10 days. A mean body weight loss of 20% and 17% lower food intake compared to that of controls suggests that PEM was achieved; this will be confirmed by serum albumin measurements. Gerbils on control diet required a mean (± SEM) of 7.3 ± 0.7 trials in the T‐maze to meet criterion (≥90% correct on 3 consecutive days), compared to 5.4 ± 0.4 trials in the PEM group (p = 0.025; unpaired t‐test). The number of animals reaching criterion was 8/12 in the control group, and 12/12 in the PEM group [χ2(n=24, df=1) = 4.800, p=0.028]. These results suggest that the reward does not interfere with the model of PEM, and that T‐maze performance is not impaired, but rather may be enhanced by PEM prior to ischemia. Future studies will unravel the influence of both PEM and nutritional repletion on cognitive deficits produced by global ischemia.