EFFECTS OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE ON ANXIETY AND WORKING MEMORY OF MICE
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive commonly consumed as a flavour enhancer. The effects of sub chronic oral low dose administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on neurobehaviour were assessed using the elevated plus maze and Y-maze in mice. Twenty (20) albino mice weighing between 27-39 g were used for the study and assigned into four (4) groups A, B, C, D. Group A served as the control group while B, C, D received MSG dissolved in water at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg dose for 14 days. After which the animals were exposed to the elevated plus maze and Y-maze. The results of the working memory and anxiety were expressed as mean ± SEM. Mice administered 1.5 mg/kg dose of MSG had a significant decrease in the time spent in the open arm of the elevated plus maze (p ≤ 0.05) compared with control group. Mice administered 1.5 mg/kg dose of MSG had a significant impairment of memory. The results demonstrated significant (p≤0.05) impairment in spatial memory and decrease in locomotor activities during 5 minutes exploration of the Y-Maze at 1.5 mg/kg dose of MSG. The findings suggest that monosodium glutamate poses a deleterious effect on memory.
Keywords: anxiety, memory, mice, monosodium glutamate
*Correspondence: toryila.joseph@binghamuni.edu.ng, 08035996840
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