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Place and direction learning in a spatial T-maze task by neonatal piglets.
Monica R P Elmore1, Ryan N Dilger, Rodney W Johnson
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA. monicarpelmore@gmail.com
Animal Cognition
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Neonatal piglets can learn and remember spatial tasks in a T-maze, demonstrating their utility as a model for neurodevelopment. Scopolamine administration impaired their spatial memory, validating the T-maze for assessing hippocampal-dependent learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Comparative Psychology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Pigs share significant brain structure and growth similarities with humans, making them valuable for neurodevelopmental research.
- Validated behavioral tests are crucial for assessing learning and memory in neonatal piglets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the capacity of 2-week-old piglets to learn a spatial T-maze task involving place and direction.
- To validate the T-maze task by assessing the impact of scopolamine on spatial memory.
Main Methods:
- Piglets were trained in a plus-shaped maze using visual cues to find a reward, with subsequent reversal trials.
- Scopolamine, an anti-cholinergic drug, was administered to assess its effect on spatial memory acquisition.
- Performance was measured by the percentage of correct choices and time to reach criterion.
Main Results:
- Control piglets improved performance over 5 days, reaching 80% accuracy.
- Reversal trials initially decreased performance but improved with time.
- Scopolamine-treated piglets showed impaired learning, failing to reach criterion after 6 days.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal piglets can acquire and retain information in a spatial T-maze task.
- The T-maze is a valid tool for assessing hippocampal-dependent learning and memory in piglets.
- This model offers insights into neurodevelopmental processes and memory function.
