Viral transfection of human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) in the dorsal hippocampus improves spatial learning and memory. Spatial learning and memory were assessed in the Morris water maze at 4 weeks post-injury following control or lentivirus (LV)-GR injection into the dorsal hippocampus in sham (n = 14 control and 14 GR) and brain-injured (n = 13 control and 13 GR) animals. (A) Experimental timeline, (B) the latency (displayed in sec) to locate the platform, (C) the distance (displayed in cm) traveled to reach the platform, (D) the swim speed (displayed as cm/sec) during training days, (E) the total time (displayed in sec) spent in the platform zone, (F) the total time spent in the peripheral zone, (G) the total distance traveled during the probe trial. Bar graphs represent group averages and error bars represent standard error of the mean. *p < 0.05, #p < 0.05 relative to control.