Fig. 1

Project timeline. Rat’s age (in months) at the start (day 0) and the end (week 13) of the study are shown in brackets. Diets were assigned on day 0 and all testing time points are in reference to this day. Baseline measurements were completed 3 weeks prior to the start of the diet. Morris water maze spatial training was completed on week − 1 (4 days, four trials a day) with a probe trial (Pr1) following on the day after. A second probe trial (Pr2) was completed on week 12 on a diet. Learning of a new platform location started the next day following the same protocol with a probe trial (Pr3) at the end. BP blood pressure measurement, IGTT intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, MWM Morris Water Maze, Pr probe trial, OF open field test, BC blood collection, TC tissue collection, W week