Effects of caloric restriction on cognition and behavior in developing mice.

The effects of caloric restriction (CR) on cognition and behavior in developing mice were investigated in this study. Male and female Kunmin mice were fed a standard rodent diet ad libitum (Control); 80% of control (20% CR) or 65% of control (35% CR) for 6 months. Body weight gain was significant reduced in CR mice relative to control. Learning and memory retention test in a Y maze demonstrated that CR increased learning but not retention in male mice, whereas CR did not affect learning or retention in females. Open field test revealed no difference in exploratory activity between CR and control mice. These findings suggest that CR produce sex-dependent effect on cognition, but not exploratory activity, in developing animals.