Effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on spatial memory in rats (rattus norvegicus)

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used flavor enhancer in food. Several studies have shown that high doses of MSG act as a neurotoxic or excitotoxic agent for cells in the central nervous system. This study aimed to determine the effect of MSG on spatial memory function. A total of 25 albino male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain (aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 150-200 g) were divided into five experimental groups (two control groups and three treatment groups that received 2 mg/g, 4 mg/g, or 6 mg/g oral MSG, respectively, for 30 days). Spatial memory test was performed using water-E maze before MSG administration and every week (5 times). After the last administration of MSG, all rats were killed. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) post hoc test. The water-E maze test showed an increase in the number of errors made by the treatment group that received 4 mg/g and 6 mg/g of MSG, as well as an increase in time span to complete a memory test when compared with the control group after consumption of MSG for 30 days. In conclusion, this study showed that high MSG doses lead to a reduction in spatial memory function in rats.