Eight arm maze experiment

An experimental principle of eight arm maze experiment Rat uses the distal clue in the room Information can effectively determine the portion of the arm where the food is placed. The radiopulpine maze can be used for the study of rat spatial reference memories and work memory. During reference memory, information is useful during many periods / days and is usually required throughout the experiment. The work memory process is different from the reference memory process. It has only one primary but temporary information. Due to the information provided in the maze (in the arms), it is useful for subsequent experiments, rat remembers in delay Information within the interval (minutes to hours). Correctly select food as a reward in the arm maze.

Two, eight arm maze experiments 1) animals After 1 week of the experimental environment, weighed, fasted for 24 hours. Since then, the normal food is restricted after the end of training (depending on the body weight, 2-3 g of rat rat), so that the body weight is maintained at 80% to 85% of normal eating rats.

2) the next day, the maze arms and central distinction are divided into food particles (4 ~ 5 capsules, about 3 ~ 4mm diameter) . Then, 4 animals were placed in the middle of the labyrinth (open to the door of each arm). Let them eat freely, explore 10 min. 3) On the third day, repeat the training of the next day. This process allows animals to familiarize with labyrinth environments without strong stress conditions.

4) Starting in the fourth day, the animals are trained: in each arm is close to the outer end of the food case, let Animals are free to eat. After eating or 10 min, the animal is removed.

5) On the fifth day, put food in the food cassette, repeat the previous day training, twice a day.

6) After the sixth day, 4 arms are selected, and each arm is placed; each arm is closed, putting the animals In the middle of the maze; after 30s, the arm door opens, allowing the animals to freely active in the maze and take food until the animals eat 4 arms. If you have not finished 10MIN, the experiment is terminated. Training twice daily, there is intervals of more than 1 h.

Third, the parameter indicator

1) Working Memory Errors, that is, animals in the same training will enter the arm that has eaten food,

[123 2) Reference memory error (Reference Memory ErrorS), that is, the animal enters the arm that has not been placed,

3) TotalThe number of arms; 4) Test time, that is, the time spent on the animal after eating food.In addition, the computer can also record the activity of the animal within the radiation arm and the central zone, including motion distance and motion time.