Mice are not little rats: species differences in a one-day water maze task. Neuroreport 2000 Nov 09;11(16):3461-5
Date
11/30/2000Pubmed ID
11095500DOI
10.1097/00001756-200011090-00013Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0034626938 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 138 CitationsAbstract
The present study examined species differences in spatial and non-spatial memory in the Morris water maze. Male Wistar rats and C57BL/6 mice were tested in a one-day water maze task in which spatial learning, retention, and non-spatial learning were assessed within 3 h. Rats and mice appeared to use different strategies for locating the hidden escape platform. Whereas rats evinced a clear spatial strategy, mice appeared to rely less on spatial cues and more on alternative non-spatial strategies. The sensitivity of this behavioral protocol to subtle species differences highlights the potential use of this one-day water maze task as a tool for evaluating rapidly learning and memory in rodents.
Author List
Frick KM, Stillner ET, Berger-Sweeney JAuthor
Karyn Frick BA,MA,PhD Professor in the Psychology department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsMale
Maze Learning
Memory, Short-Term
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Space Perception
Species Specificity
Swimming
Time Factors
