Learning Deficits Induced by High-Calorie Feeding in the Rat are Associated With Impaired Brain Kynurenine Pathway Metabolism.

ABSTRACT: In addition to be a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, obesity is associated with learning disabilities. Here we examined whether a dysregulation of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism might underlie the learning deficits exhibited by obese individuals. The KP is initiated by the enzymatic conversion of Trp into kynurenine (KYN) by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). KYN is further converted to several signaling molecules including quinolinic acid (QA) which has a negative impact on learning. Wistar rats were fed either standard chow or made obese by exposure to a free choice high-fat high-sugar (fcHFHS) diet. Their learning capacities were evaluated using a combination of the novel object recognition and the novel object location task

SUBMITTER: Mezo-Gonzalez CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9277427 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature