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The behavioral actions of creatine vary with duration of intake
Author(s) -
D'Anci Kristen E.,
Allen Patricia J.,
Kanarek Robin B.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.821.9
Subject(s) - creatine , morris water navigation task , creatine monohydrate , elevated plus maze , anxiety , medicine , endocrinology , stressor , behavioural despair test , psychology , physiology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , placebo , hippocampus , pathology , alternative medicine , antidepressant
Dietary creatine has been promoted for its positive health effects, and is best known for its use by athletes to boost physical performance. Creatine also has protective effects on the brain in models of neuronal damage, and improves cognitive performance on stressful tasks. However, there is little research examining how soon behavioral effects are seen after supplementation with creatine. To further explore the behavioral actions of creatine in rats, we used the forced‐swim test (FST) as a stressor, and assessed anxiety‐like behavior using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), and spatial learning using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Female rats were fed chow alone or chow mixed with 4% w/w creatine for 1, 3, or 5 wks prior to the FST. Rats were tested in the EPM 24h after the FST and in the MWM 48h after the FST. There were no differences in any measures after 1 wk of creatine. At 3 wks, rats given creatine showed improved performance on the MWM relative to controls, but tended to show more anxiety‐like behavior in the EPM. At 5 wks, rats given creatine showed worse performance on the MWM and more anxiety‐like behavior in the EPM relative to controls. These findings indicate that there are time‐related differences in the behavioral effects of creatine supplementation, and suggest that continuous chronic intake of creatine may not be the most advantageous use of the supplement. Supported by internal research funds from Tufts University.