Sex differences in learning and memory following short‐term dietary restriction in the rat

Abstract

In fully developed brain, adult animal's cognitive performance is shown to be affected by acute and prolonged stress in the form of food restriction. Interestingly, the impact of this stress was different according to the sex of the animals. In female rats, dietary restriction has a negative effect on learning and memory after 2h and 2 weeks intervals. In male rats, 2h of DR has a positive effect on learning and memory; however this effect is not maintained and by 2 weeks there is a negative effect similar to that seen in female animals.