The Water Maze with Platform Relocation: A Method to Assess Working Memory
Published: April 30, 2023
Abstract
Source: Hausser, N., et al. Detecting Behavioral Deficits in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury. J. Vis. Exp (2018).
In this video, we describe the Morris water maze test with platform relocation, a navigational task used to study working memory in rodents.
Protocol
All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board. 1. Working Memory Water Maze Equipment Use a tank filled with water to a height of 28 cm and maintained at 26 ± 1 °C. Use a clear acrylic glass platform that is 10 cm in diameter on a stand 26 cm in height. NOTE: The top surface of the platform shou…
Representative Results
Figure 1. Diagram of the water maze. This diagram demonstrates the possible platform locations (1, 2, 3, 4) and starting points (N, S, E, W) for the working memory Morris water maze. Rats are allowed two trials from each starting location/platform pairing. There is a 15 s inter-trial interval and 4 min rest in a warming chamber between pairs of trials for a total of four pair…
Divulgazioni
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Materials
| Sprague-Dawley rats | Charles Rivers Laboratories | CD-IGS rats strain code 001 | Male albino 300-350g at arrival |
| Fiberglass pool | Manufacturer unknown | 72" diameter x 30" deep (~ 500 gal) | |
| Plexiglass platform | Hand-made by Maggie Parsley | 10 cm diameter 26" tall with silicone applied to the surface of the platform to provide a gripping surface | |
| Plexiglass animal boxes w/ lids | UTMB Machine Shop | 2 boxes 10" w x 16" L x 9" h | |
| Spot lights/heat lamps | Home Depot | 3 around pool 2 over boxes to dry animals | |
| AnyMaze | San Diego Instruments | 9001 | http://www.sandiegoinstruments.com/any-maze-video-tracking/ |
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Citazione di questo articolo
The Water Maze with Platform Relocation: A Method to Assess Working Memory. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e20049, doi: (2023).