Mouse phenotype modulates the behavioral effects of acute thiamine deficiency.

The influence of mouse phenotype on the behavioral effects of thiamine deficiency was examined in three experiments. A reduction in spontaneous motor activity occurring during acute thiamine deprivation was found to be greater in C57 mice than in Balb and Nylar mice. No persistent post-deprivation effects were observed nor were there any changes in Y-maze alternation or spatial discrimination learning. These results provide a further demonstration of genetic-environmental interactions in determining pathological behavioral states.