Background: Vitamin D receptors have been presented in the areas involved in learning and memory. This study was done to assess the effect of the vitamin D deficiency and calcitriol supplementation on spatial learning and memory.
Materials and Methods: Twenty seven male rats were divided into three groups (n=9 for each): receiving normal (Contro), diminished vitamin D (C-D) and calcitriol supplement (C+D) regimens for 45 days. The animals were introduced to the Morris water maze (MWM) trials (4trials/day for 5 consecutive days). The delay in finding and distance passed to reach the target platform were measured as spatial learning. The probe test was performed on the 5th day of experiment.
Results: The C-D group needed a longer time to reach the platform than the control and C+D animals (P<0.0001), demonstrating that vitamin D deficiency negatively affected the maze learning. On the other hand, calcitriol supplementation did not significantly influence the spatial learning. The probe trial was not affected by either vitamin D deficiency or calcitriol supplementation.
Conclusion: Although vitamin D deficiency deteriorates the maze learning it dose not affect the spatial memory consolidation. Also, calcitriol supplementation for 45 days is not effective in cognitive phenomena
Taghizadeh M, Jazayeri A, Salami M, Ashraghian M, Talaei Zavareh S A. Effect of vitamin D deficiency and calcitriol supplementation on adult rats' learning and memory in Morris water maze. Feyz Med Sci J 2010; 13 (4) :251-260 URL: http://feyz.kaums.ac.ir/article-1-820-en.html