Abstract: Objective To observe the learning and memory function of rats after heat stroke. Methods 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into heat stroke group (n=44), sham group (n=8) and control group (n=8). They were tested with the Morris Water Maze 7 days after modeling. The escaping latency was recorded in the first 5 days, and it was recorded with frequency crossing the platform area and the duration in the target quadrant after ridding the platform on the 6th day. Results 16 rats died in the heat stroke group after modeling. The escaping latency increased (P<0.05), and the cumulative duration in the target quadrant and the frequency of crossing the previous platform decreased (P<0.05) in the heat stroke group compared with the other groups. Conclusion The learning and memory ability is impaired after heat stroke in rats.

Key words: heat stroke, MorrisWater Maze, learning and memory, cognitive function, rats