Anatomie et physiologie : recherches en cours
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Effect of Enriched Environment on the Cognitive and Behavioural Changes in the Streptozotocin-Induced Young Diabetic Rats

Dr. Rajashree R, Dr. Khlokute SD and Dr. Goudar SS

Introduction: Effects of juvenile diabetes on the central nervous system are less well documented. Effective management of T1DM is another major challenge as insulin is the only available effective treatment. Hence, easily available, affordable, non-invasive therapies like enriched environment are the need of time.

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of an enriched environment on cognitive and behavioral changes in juvenile diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in 25 days old, albino Wistar rats, by streptozotocin (STZ). Animals were reared in an enriched environment and treated with herbal formulae with Salacia R and Clitoria T. Then, rats were tested in the elevated passive maze, passive avoidance box and Morris water maze (n=6). Values are expressed as means ± SE and differences assessed by using one way ANOVA test followed by Bonferroni multiple comparison test.

Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05) difference was observed between the enriched environment and diabetic group of rats. Additionally, effects are comparable to conventional insulin therapy, in the animals which received combined therapy (SR+CT+EE) (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Authors have shown that diabetic rats reared in enriched housing conditions, showed improved cognitive measures compared to diabetics. The combined treatment is found to be more beneficial in restoring normoglycemic levels and preventing behavioral and cognitive deficits.