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The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents
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The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

Published on: July 8, 2015

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Assessing spatial learning and memory in rodents.

Charles V Vorhees, Michael T Williams

    ILAR Journal
    |September 17, 2014
    PubMed
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    The Morris water maze (MWM) is a valuable tool for studying spatial navigation and memory in rodents, effectively assessing allocentric navigation despite some limitations.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Behavioral Science
    • Cognitive Science

    Background:

    • Safe navigation relies on learning and remembering locations, processed by distinct brain systems.
    • Allocentric navigation (using external cues) involves the hippocampus and encodes semantic/episodic memory.
    • Egocentric navigation (using self-movement cues) involves the dorsal striatum and encodes procedural memory.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review and compare various allocentric assessment methods for rodents.
    • To evaluate the Morris water maze (MWM) against alternative allocentric tasks.
    • To discuss evidence-based improvements for MWM testing in rats and mice.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative review of allocentric navigation assessment methods in rodents.

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  • Detailed analysis of the Morris water maze (MWM) and its advantages/disadvantages.
  • Consideration of experimental factors influencing spatial navigation and MWM performance.

    • Main Results:

    • The MWM requires minimal training, no food deprivation, and shows rapid, reliable learning.
    • MWM performance is insensitive to body weight/appetite and lacks non-performers.
    • While MWM has potential stress concerns and may be less sensitive for working memory, it compares favorably to other tasks.

    Conclusions:

    • The Morris water maze (MWM) offers numerous advantages over other allocentric navigation tasks.
    • Evidence-based design improvements enhance MWM utility for both rats and mice.
    • On balance, the MWM is a highly effective and favorable method for assessing allocentric navigation in rodents.