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Solutions for testing
Cognition & memory
A substantial part of neuroscientific animal behavior studies covers learning and memory processes. Especially in light of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s research, brain damage studies, and other neurological diseases, rodent models are of great importance in discovering brain mechanism and possible treatments.
Rodent studies
There is a wide range of well-validated paradigms available for testing cognition. Studies focus on different types of learning and memory, such as spatial memory, recognition memory, associative learning, and differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory.
Video tracking in cognition tests
EthoVision XT offers a number of benefits in learning and memory studies. For starters, it is suitable for any type of maze or test set-up as long as there is an unobstructed view of the animal. It also easily measures velocity, distance moved, path shape, and other parameters that help identify the learning curve and memory retention in these tests.
In addition to center point tracking, EthoVision XT can track the nose point and tail base, which is convenient in studies that test object recognition, for example. Combined with head direction and movement, this offers detailed data on object interest.
Another useful feature of EthoVision XT is activity detection. Instead of tracking body points, this feature detects frame-to-frame changes on pixel level, ideal to study freezing in fear conditioning, for example.
EthoVision XT is used in over 22,000 publications. Get your free trial to try it out!
Free e-book
Basic behavioral neuroscience in rodents
Cognition and memory are one of the most studied neurocognitive domains in rodents. These can be measured in rats and mice using a number of behavioral tests. All types of cognition and memory, and how these can be tested, are explained in our new e-book; the basic behavioral neuroscience in rodents, which is free to download.
Allocentric and egocentric memory
Spatial memory can be either allocentric or egocentric. These can be differentiated with spatial navigation tests. In a Morris water maze, radial arm maze, Barnes maze, T- or Y-maze, or agora maze, the animal can learn to get to a reward or escape platform/hole by using the distant cues. For example, by navigating towards a triangle sign.
If the animal learns a specific route of left and right turns to get there, it uses egocentric memory, which is based on a ‘first-person perspective’. If the starting point is changed in a test, the animal will go the wrong way, which is how researchers can differentiate between the different navigation strategies.
Testing navigational strategies is important in studies on Alzheimer’s disease, for example. One of the symptoms of this disease is that individuals lose their way, even in familiar places. Studies indicate that mostly allocentric memory is affected. Focusing on the distinction between types of spatial memory increases the knowledge of mechanisms of this disease.
Recognition memory
One of the best-known memory tests for rodents is the novel object recognition test. This paradigm is developed to study recognition memory. This is a type of declarative memory, and many brain regions seem to be involved in this type of memory, such as the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and hippocampus. This type of memory is often studied in research on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Associative learning
In associative learning tasks, animals are tested on their ability to associate to unrelated items or events to each other. For example, a light cue and a food reward. Fear conditioning is a well-known example to test associative learning, as in this test a light or sound cue is paired with a foot shock.
Long-term vs short-term memory
Another aspect of memory testing in rodent is differentiating between long-term and short-term memory. By testing at different time points in an experiment, researchers aim to investigate the different forms of memory.
In humans, we also discriminate working memory, which differs from short-term memory because it is conscious and active while attention in given. If rodents possess a similar working memory is under debate, but some research suggests it is a representation of an object, stimulus, or spatial location as used within a training session.
Mazes - Perfect for cognition and memory studies
Complement software with high-quality lab equipment, and automate your cognition and memory tests.
Open field
The open field test is a straight-forward test to investigate activity, anxiety-related and exploratory behavior of rodents.
Morris water maze
The Morris water maze task is a popular and well-validated test for spatial learning: most-used behavioral test in neuroscience research.
Radial arm maze
The radial arm maze is test for spatial / working / reference learning and memory in rats and mice, for several sophisticated test protocols.
Barnes maze
The Barnes maze is a paradigm to study spatial learning and memory. It consists of a circular table with holes around the circumference.
T-maze
The T-maze task is an investigation of spatial learning and memory. Subsequently, reversal learning or retention can be investigated.
Y-maze
The Y-maze is, similar to the T-maze, a test to investigate spatial learning and memory. Specifically designed for testing rats or mice.
Cross maze
The aquatic cross maze is a multifunctional maze for zebrafish learning and memory testing, but also for social preference.
Fear conditioning
Fear conditioning and other learning tasks in rodents are typical in a wide range of neuropharmacological studies, amongst others.
Sociability cage
The sociability cage is designed to test the social behavior or social memory of one individual towards others.
Biel/Cincinnati Water Maze
The Biel/Cincinnati Water Maze is used for studying egocentric navigation, learning, and memory.
Free white paper
Fear conditioning
Fear - a highly conserved behavior in rodents. Read about how EthoVision XT automates this test and accurately measures freezing behavior in this Pavlovian learning tasks for rodents.
In this white paper, you'll learn more about fear conditioning tests, methods, detecting of freezing, and you can read more about current research.
"EthoVision XT has dramatically improved my ability to incorporate extensive behavioral testing with one group of animals. It reduces the time needed to record and analyze behaviors while allowing for much more extensive analysis of behavior."
Dr. M. Hyer|Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
Prof. Rimondini: "EthoVision XT is for dummies."
Prof. Roberto Rimondini is a neuropsychopharmacologist at the Department of Medical and Clinical Sciences DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum Bologna (University of Bologna, Italy). He has been using EthoVision XT video tracking software since its DOS version! He finds it so easy to use, it’s ‘dummy proof’!
Watch the video to learn more about why he chooses Noldus' tools.
Relevant blogs
Radial Arm Maze: The Basics
The radial arm maze is an apparatus consisting of a circular center compartment from which 8 equally spaced «arms» extend. Researchers use it to measure two forms of memory known as “reference memory” and “working memory.”
Working memory and emotion regulation in children with ADHD
How can we understand emotional reactivity in children with ADHD? In the current study, Tarle and her colleagues examined the relation between emotion regulation and working memory in children with and without this disorder.