Enhanced rate of cortical spreading depression due to malnutrition: prevention by dietary protein supplementation

The enhanced prpagation rate of cortical spreading depression, observed previously in rats rendered malnourished by the region basic diet that is typical of the daily fare of many of the inhabitants of the northeastern region of Brazil, was not prevented by raising the quantity of dietary protein to the normal level without changing its quality. Dietary supplementation with casein, a protein of good quality, however, abolished the effect on sprteading depression. These data indicte that the quality, and not the quantity, of the dietary protein is the criticañ factor in reversing the effects of regional basic diet malnutrition on spreading depression