Role of vitamin B12 on behavioral changes in SHRSP

Vitamin B₁₂ (V-B₁₂) is necessary for nervous system function as well as blood cell formation. V-B₁₂ deficiency may sometimes present neurologic disorders in the absence of anemia. This chapter evaluates the role of V-B₁₂ on behavioral changes including ambulatory activity and passive avoidance test after chronic oral administration of V-B₁₂ in stroke-prone spontaneously hypersensitive rats (SHRSP). V-B₁₂ absorption, as mentioned earlier, depends on the presence of gastric intrinsic factor and occurs in the ileum. Intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein, is secreted by the parietal cells of stomach and strongly binds V-B₁₂. The chapter elucidates the effect of chronic V-B₁₂ treatment on learning ability and memory using a passive avoidance test. Both V-B₁₂ and ACh deficiencies might be involved in the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of SHRSP. It is suggested that methylcobalamine might be beneficial in the treatment of biological rhythm disturbance and impairment of learning and memory in SHRSP.