Visual recognition memory in infant rhesus monkeys: Effects of dietary taurine

Sydney Reisbick, Martha Neuringer, Melinda Graham, Nathalie Jacqmotte, Wynona Karbo, John Sturman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of dietary taurine on visual recognition memory and visual attention were measured with visual paired comparison tests in infant rhesus monkeys. Infants (6 per group) were fed one of two human infant soy-protein formulas: taurine-free (-T) or taurine-supplemented (+T). The infants were tested at 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 9.0 weeks of age using eight pairs of patterns and eight pairs of photographs of primate faces. The -T infants had higher novelty preference for faces, higher total looks at faces and patterns at 2 weeks and at patterns at 9 weeks, and a higher number and proportion of shifts between pattern stimuli at 9 weeks. They also showed increased attention, as estimated by the total time looking during the tests at 2 weeks and decreased time to reach a criterion of 10 s of fixation during familiarization at 9 weeks. Thus, contrary to expectation, -T infants had higher scores on several measures associated with more advanced cognitive functioning.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)309-318
Number of pages10
JournalInfant Behavior and Development
Volume18
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995

Keywords

  • cognitive development
  • novelty preference
  • nutrition
  • rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) primate
  • taurine
  • visual paired comparisons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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