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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
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The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents
Published on: July 8, 2015
Dynamic interplays between memory systems depend on practice: the hippocampus is not always the first to provide
G Martel1, J Blanchard, N Mons
1Centre de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cognitives, Université de Bordeaux 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5228, Avenue des facultés, 33405 Talence cedex, France. jl.guillou@cnic.u-bordeaux1.fr
Neuroscience
|November 21, 2007
Summary
Learning involves a dynamic interplay between hippocampal and striatal memory systems. The amount of training within a session influences which memory strategy is retained and how cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation occurs in the hippocampus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- Behavioral performance optimization relies on shifting from hippocampus-based memory to striatum-based habits with extensive training.
- Understanding the influence of training duration within a single session on memory retention for different brain systems is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the amount of training in one session affects memory retention for hippocampal versus striatal strategies.
- To examine the kinetic of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in both memory systems across different training durations.
Main Methods:
- Mice were trained in a water-maze task using three different trial numbers (4, 12, or 22).
- Memory retention was tested 1 hour or 24 hours later using a probe test assessing spatial versus cue-guided solutions.
- cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation was measured over 7 hours post-training.
Main Results:
- Initially, animals preferred a cue-guided strategy (striatum-dependent), which was impaired by lesions.
- With increased practice, animals transiently favored a hippocampus-dependent place solution.
- Both strategies eventually became interchangeable and insensitive to lesions, with distinct CREB phosphorylation patterns in the hippocampus based on training amount.
Conclusions:
- Learning within a single session involves multiple memory systems engaging in parallel at the start.
- Dynamic interactions between brain systems promote the use of the most adaptive strategy as training progresses.
- Specific patterns of CREB phosphorylation in the hippocampus correlate with training-dependent memory system engagement.
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