T-maze alternation in the rodent

This protocol details a method for using a T-maze to assess the cognitive ability of rodents. The T-maze is an elevated or enclosed apparatus in the form of a T placed horizontally. Animals are started from the base of the T and allowed to choose one of the goal arms abutting the other end of the st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNature protocols Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 7 - 12
Main Authors Deacon, Robert M J, Rawlins, J Nicholas P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Nature Publishing Group 01.06.2006
Subjects
Animal cognition
Animals
Brain research
Choice Behavior
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Food
Genetic aspects
Intelligence Tests
Maze Learning
Maze tests
Memory
Methods
Physiological aspects
Protocol
Reward
Rodentia - psychology
Rodents
United States
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Summary:This protocol details a method for using a T-maze to assess the cognitive ability of rodents. The T-maze is an elevated or enclosed apparatus in the form of a T placed horizontally. Animals are started from the base of the T and allowed to choose one of the goal arms abutting the other end of the stem. If two trials are given in quick succession, on the second trial the rodent tends to choose the arm not visited before, reflecting memory of the first choice. This is called 'spontaneous alternation'. This tendency can be reinforced by making the animal hungry and rewarding it with a preferred food if it alternates. Both spontaneous and rewarded alternation are very sensitive to dysfunction of the hippocampus, but other brain structures are also involved. Each trial should be completed in under 2 min, but the total number of trials required will vary according to statistical and scientific requirements.
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ISSN:1754-2189
1750-2799
DOI:10.1038/nprot.2006.2