Figure 1.

Dehydration markedly alters spatial learning behavior in young mice. Spatial learning behavior was measured in control (CON) and dehydrated (DEH) mice by using the Barnes maze test to measure the (a) primary escape latency, (b) total distance moved, and (c) speed (calculated by dividing total distance moved by the primary latency) during the 4-day maze ‘training’ phase. (d) Representative heatmap images (i.e., heatmap indicates time spent at each position) tracking the path taken by mice through the maze on the final ‘test’ day. Arrow, target escape hole. (e) The average relative latency (%) required to identify the escape hole on the test day was calculated by dividing the escape latency (s) achieved on the test day by that achieved on the first day. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was evaluated using a Student’s t-test: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.005, *** p < 0.001 versus day 1 in the DEH group; ## p < 0.01 versus day 1 in the CON group. NS, not statistically significant.