Developmental effects of vitamin B-6 restriction on the locomotor behavior of rats.

The nocturnal spontaneous locomotor behavior of vitamin B-6 restricted and control rats was measured using activity chambers. The results show a generalized hypoactivity in indices of horizontal and vertical activity in neonatal rats fed vitamin B-6 restricted diets during gestation and lactation. This pattern of locomotor behavior changed in the postweaning period to a gradual increase in indices of locomotor activity to a pronounced hyperkinesis in vitamin B-6 restricted young adult rats. This study suggests that long-term vitamin B-6 restriction results in damage and/or abnormal development of neuronal system(s) associated with locomotor behavior.