Activity and Nutritional Deprivation

Abstract

Rats deprived of bulk food, water, thiamin or riboflavin show a marked increase in spontaneous running in an activity cage. In thiamin deficiency maximal running persists for about 10 days. After another 2-8 days it falls far below the normal level and usually within 1 more day polyneuritis develops. A single injn. of thiamin restores the animal, which eats enormously and runs no more than when polyneuritic. If bulk food is restricted, the rat again begins much running. The effects of riboflavin are similar. No high running was observed with deprivation of the Mg ion. The effects of hyperactivity resulting from deprivation on the outcome for the free mammal and the relationship to emigration and nutritional pressure on the group are discussed.