Delayed auditory brainstem response in thiamin-deficient rats

• Published in: Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 209 - 215
• Main Authors: Shigematsu, Y. (Fukui Medical School, Matsuoka (Japan)), Nakai, A, Kuriyama, M, Kikawa, Y, Konishi, I, Sudo, M, Itokawa, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Center for Academic Publications Japan 1990
• Subjects: Animals; auditory brainstem response; BRAIN; Brain - metabolism; CARENCE EN VITAMINE; CEREBRO; cochlear nerve; DEFICIENCIA DE VITAMINAS; Diet; ENCEPHALE; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Liver - metabolism; Male; NERF; NERVES; NERVIOS; RAT; RATA; RATS; Rats, Inbred Strains; THIAMIN; thiamin deficiency; THIAMINE; Thiamine - metabolism; Thiamine Deficiency - diagnosis; TIAMINA; VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES
• ISSN: 0301-4800; 1881-7742
• DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.36.209

We recorded the auditory brainstem responses of rats fed a thiamin-deficient diet. The interpeak latencies between waves I and III, as well as those between waves I and IV, were significantly prolonged from day 24, while the latency of wave I was prolonged on day 26 of the thiamin-deficient diet. These delayed responses were corrected in 2 to 4 days after the initiation of daily intraperitoneal thiamin injections from day 32. The rats that were fed the thiamin-deficient diet, and then sacrificed on day 32, showed a decrease of total thiamin levels in the brain (26% of the level in control rat brains). Based on these results, we emphasize the value of the auditory brainstem response to detect thiamin deficiency.