EFFECT OF CHRONIC MALNUTRITION ON HYPOTHALAMIC NEUROTRANSMITTERS

We have studied the effect of chronic malnutrition in Wistar strain al bino rats on the neurotransmitters and their metabolites in the hypoth alamus. Chronic malnutrition reduced the basal levels of dopamine and norepinephrine along with those of their metabolites. The levels of th e indoleamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and its metabolite, 5-hydroxy indo le acetic acid, were raised. The changes in the catecholamines and ind oleamines could possibly play a role in the behavioural alterations ob served in malnourished human individuals. Med Sci Res 26:465-466 (C) 1 998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.