Trending To measure cognitive ability, the scientists looked at mice's ability to navigate a water maze after 12 weeks on a high- or low-fat diet. The mice who consumed a higher-fat diet, and those who had the NLRP3 protein transplant, took longer to navigate the maze. Meanwhile, mice who had the NLRP3 protein removed could more easily navigate the maze. The high-fat diet, and mice with the NLRP3 protein also had weaker connection between neurons involved in learning and memory. Dementia is more extensive cognitive decline (Image: Express) READ MORE Mice on a high-fat diet, who had the NLRP3 protein removed, were spared cognitive decline, as were mice on low-fat diets without the protein.