Figure 3. Anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze.

A significant effect of the palatable diet was observed in the juvenile time point. In general, rats with access to the palatable diet spent more time in the open arms of the maze. In adulthood, previously stressed chow fed rats (E) spent less time in the open arms, and (F) more time in the closed arms compared to chow fed controls. A significant difference between stress groups was observed in terms of time spent in the close arm with chow-fed rats spending more time relative to palatable food fed counterparts. No significant difference across groups was observed regarding number of (G) risk assessments and closed arms entries (H), suggesting no significant differences in locomotor activity. Bars represent mean ± SEM. τ Significant diet effect. * Significantly different from controls. # Significantly different from condition matched rats receiving opposite diet.