Difference of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and pyramid cell count during mastication of food with varying hardness

Abstract Previous studies suggested that mastication activity can affect learning and memory function. However, most were focused on mastication impaired models by providing long-term soft diet. The effects of chewing food with various hardness, especially during the growth period, remain unknown. Objective: To analyze the difference of hippocampus function and morphology, as characterized by pyramidal cell count and BDNF expression in different mastication activities. Materials and Methods: 28-day old, post-weaned, male-Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=7); the first (K...