The Effect of Monosodium Glutamate Ingestion on Spatial Memory and Cognitive Behaviour in Wistar Rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), one of the most widely used food-additives in commercial foods gives a special aroma (umami) to processed foods. It’s vital to brain metabolism and function. Adverse effects of MSG have been widely reported. However, there is scarcity of literature on the action of MSG on spatial memory and cognition. Hence, there is need to assess the effect of MSG ingestion on spatial memory and cognitive behavior in Wistar rats. 25 Wistar rats were randomly selected into five groups and treated for three weeks thus: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (0.7 mL MSG), Group 3 (1 mL MSG), Group 4 (1.5 mL MSG) Group 5 (0.1 mL Epinephrine). Neurobehavioral (Barnes, navigation, and handgrip) activities exhibited by the various groups were recorded and analyzed using ANOVA. In the Barnes maze test, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in escape time in group 4 when compared to the control for weeks 1 and 3. In week 1 of the Navigation maze test, group 4 animals spent less time (p<0.05) to navigate the maze when compared to the control. In week 1 and 3 of the handgrip test, animals in groups 2, 3 and 5 had a significant decline (p<0.05) in grip strength when compared to the control group; However, in week 2, only the animals in group 5 had a decline in grip strength (p<0.05) when compared to control. MSG did not cause any form of neurotoxicity, cognitive or motor decline in rats.