Figure 5.

Chronic corticosterone affects spatial learning performances and memory in the Barnes maze. Schematic diagram of the of the BM experimental time course (A). Animals were trained during 4 days to learn the location of the target box. A first probe trial estimates short-term memory (Day 5). A second probe trial (recall) estimates long-term memory (Day 12). During acquisition (Day 1–4), learning was monitored by recording primary latency during the training sessions (B). During the first probe trial (Day 5), the target box was removed and the target hole was closed. Short-term memory retention was evaluated by measuring the time spent into the target and the opposite quadrants (C), the primary latency (D) and the number of visits in the target hole (E). Mice were not trained from Day 6 to 11. During the recall trial, spatial long-term memory was assessed by measuring the time spent into the target and the opposite quadrants (F), the primary latency (G) and the number of visits in the target hole (H). Values are mean ± s.e.m., n = 10–13 animals per group; ^*p < 0.05; ^**p < 0.01 vs. vehicle group.