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An Objective and Reproducible Test of Olfactory Learning and Discrimination in Mice
Published on: March 22, 2018
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A novel paradigm for assessing olfactory working memory capacity in mice
Geng-Di Huang1,2,3,4,5, Li-Xin Jiang1,2,3,4,5, Feng Su6,7
1Peking University Sixth Hospital, 100191, Beijing, China.
Translational Psychiatry
|December 15, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a new olfactory working memory capacity (OWMC) task for mice. This task revealed impaired working memory in early-stage Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Working memory (WM) decline is an early Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptom.
- Rodent models for studying WM are limited.
- Olfactory working memory capacity (OWMC) is a potential measure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel OWMC task for mice.
- To assess WM capacity in a mouse model of AD.
- To investigate early-stage AD-related cognitive deficits.
Main Methods:
- A five-phase olfactory working memory task was designed.
- Task phases included adaptation, training, and rule-learning (NMSS, NMMS).
- Capacity testing involved varying memory loads in C57 and 5x FAD mice.
Main Results:
- C57 mice demonstrated stable WM capacity (6-7 odors) with increasing errors and declining accuracy.
- Young 5x FAD mice showed impaired OWMC compared to wild-type (WT) mice.
- 5x FAD mice exhibited increased errors and reduced accuracy at higher memory loads.
Conclusions:
- A novel OWMC task effectively measures working memory in mice.
- Early-stage AD is associated with impaired olfactory working memory in the 5x FAD model.
- The OWMC task provides a valuable tool for AD research.
