Swimming distances observed during 5 consecutive days of training on the MWM before MCAO, at 7th and 30th day after MCAO (A, B, C). Escape latencies seen during 5 consecutive days of training on the MWM before MCAO, at 7th and 30th day after MCAO (D, E, and F). Swimming distances observed at 5th day of the training (G, H). At the same time, escape latencies detected (I, J). Time spent and distances swam in the target quadrant (zone II) during the MWM probe test at 30th day (K and L). Swimming paths taken by a representative rat from each group during the probe test (M). Data are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 8); **P<0.01, compared to the Sham group; #P<0.05, ##P<0.01, compared to the NS group.