MEMORY ALTERATION AND POTENTIAL NON-ADDICTIVE EFFECTS INDUCED BY A CHRONIC INTAKE OF HOME MADE ALCOHOLIC DRINKING “ODONTOL”

AYISSI MBOMO Rigobert-Espoir*, TENE TADOUM Samuel Boris, NGUIDJOE Evrard Marcel, MOTO OKOMOLO Fleur Clarisse, NANGA Léopold Didier, NGOA MANGA Elisabeth Sylvie, NJAMNSHI KONGNYU Alfred

ABSTRACT

The last decade in Cameroon has been the seat of increased consumption of artisanal drinks including «Odontol». Appreciated by youngest and adults, this beverage has induced numerous deaths attributed to its poor manufacturing. Being in a context of emergency by 2035, this beverage of unknown composition and effects on human health still little explored. We have undertaken the study of possible addictive effects of «Odontol» as well as its effects on various essential functions for memory. Experimental analysis of behaviors associated with addiction and memory disorders in mice using various behavioral tests including conditioned place preference, object recognition and Y maze tests were performed. Results showed that the time spent in the «Odontol» associated compartment significantly decreases between the pre-conditioning and test (28.57%) in the conditioned place preference test, as well the time spent in the «Odontol» associated compartment compared to NaCl compartment during the test. In the object recognition test, animals of the test group spent less time exploring the new object than the control animals with a 57 times higher discrimination index when compared to test group animals. In the Y maze, test mice significantly spent less time (15.78%) in the new arm compared to control animal which spent 48.27% of time exploring the new arm. These results bring the light of possible aversion induced by «Odontol» and a severe attack of mnesic function in short and long term memories.

Keywords: Object recognition, Y maze, Conditioned preference place, aversion, memory.