The metabolic consequence of visual deprivation in the rat
Source: Brain Research
1987 Dec;465(1-2):209-217.
Author: Toga AW. PubMed ID: 3440201
Abstract:
The effects of visual conditions during rearing were measured
metabolically in adult rats. Quantitative 2-deoxy[14C]glucose
autoradiography was performed on pigmented rats raised from birth in
either total darkness or ambient laboratory light. One eye was
enucleated on the day of the experiment and glucose utilization was
determined in the presence of ambient laboratory light or total
darkness. The optic centers of subjects raised in total darkness and
tested in ambient light had the highest rates of glucose utilization
compared to any of the other 3 groups. The lateral geniculate nucleus
(pars dorsalis and pars ventralis), lateral posterior nucleus and
superior colliculus exhibited the greatest changes. Normally reared rats
showed very little metabolic difference between total darkness and
ambient laboratory light. These results demonstrated that dark rearing
increases the rates of glucose utilization in the rodent visual system.
However, the extent of these increases is dependent upon stimulus
conditions during measurement and the optic center being measured.