Effects of diet and gender on spatial and non-spatial escape strategies during the MWM test.

<p>(A) Orientation of entry point and escape platform on trial days 1–4. Arrows indicate location of entry point. (B) Distribution of search strategies in aspartame-fed mice compared to controls on trial days 1–4. As the acquisition training advanced, control C57BL/6J mice exhibited progressive behavioral changes from random chaining, thigmotaxis and floating into predominantly spatial strategies such as direct swim and direct search. Mice in the aspartame group exhibited less spatial strategies and more non-spatial behavior throughout the trials.</p

Results from a probe trial intended to measure spatial memory.

<p>Percentage of time spent searching in the former location of the platform (Target Quad) in (A) males and (B) females, compared to time spent in the adjacent quads. Aspartame-fed males showed a reduction in the number of times they crossed over former location of the platform (C: Platform Crossings and (E: Annulus Crossing Index), n = 12 per group, * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001. There was no significance in the reduction of platform crossings and Annulus Crossing Index in females. Actual overlapping swim paths of the control (G,I) and aspartame-fed mice (H,J). Swim paths illustrate less intense swimming in the location of the platform by aspartame-fed mice, compared to controls.</p

Correlations between body weight, visceral fat, parameters of glucose homeostasis and lipid profile.

<p>Significant correlations are shown in bold with *, ** and *** indicating a P-value of <.05, <.01 and <.001 respectively, n = 12 per group.</p

Summary of correlation analysis between body characteristics and spatial memory variables in the MWM test.

<p>Significant correlations are shown in bold with *, ** and *** indicating a P-value of ≤.05, ≤.01 and ≤.001 respectively, n = 12 per group</p

Effect of aspartame consumption on weight gain, adiposity, glucose homeostasis and lipid profile.

<p>BW, Body Weight; RW, Relative weight.</p><p>Data presented are means ± SEM, n = 12 per group. P-value <.05 and < 0.01 based on t-test comparisons of diet groups within sexes are indicated by * and **; and comparison of sexes by § and §§ respectively.</p

Effect of aspartame consumption on spatial learning in C57BL/6J mice: gender-specific differences.

<p>Acquisition curves of escape latency in male (A) and female (B) aspartame-fed and control diet mice. Percentage time spent in target quad in male (C) and female (D) mice. Mean Distance to goal in male (E) and female (F) mice. Each group consisted of 12 mice; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001.</p

Aspartame consumption reduces insulin sensitivity of male C57BL/6J mice during a random-fed insulin tolerance test.

<p>Values are mean±SEM of (A) male glucose levels and (B) female glucose levels, n = 18 per group, *** P<0.001 compared to controls.</p

Effects of aspartame consumption on non-cognitive behavior.

<p>Percentage of time spent floating in male (A) and female (B) aspartame-fed and control diet mice. Thigmotaxis in male (C) and female (D) mice, n = 12 per group; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001.</p