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Differences in Learning Strategy Selection and Object Location Memory Impairments in APP/PS1 Mice
Yoon-Sun Jang1, Dong-Hee Kim1, Won Kyung Jeon2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea.
Experimental Neurobiology
|September 9, 2025
Summary
APP/PS1 transgenic mice, an Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models of Disease
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline.
- APP/PS1 double transgenic mice are a common model for studying AD neuropathology and cognitive deficits.
- Understanding learning strategy shifts is crucial for comprehending cognitive impairments in AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the learning strategy preferences and spatial memory capabilities of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.
- To examine the relationship between learning strategy use, spatial cognition, and neuropathological AD features.
- To characterize the behavioral phenotype of APP/PS1 mice in the context of learning and memory.
Main Methods:
- Serial training of APP/PS1 transgenic and non-transgenic (non-Tg) control mice in visual and hidden platform tasks using the Morris water maze.
- Analysis of search path strategies (cued/response vs. place/spatial) during hidden platform navigation.
- Assessment of object and object location recognition memory in APP/PS1 mice.
Main Results:
- APP/PS1 mice exhibited poorer performance in visual platform training but comparable performance in hidden platform training versus non-Tg mice.
- APP/PS1 mice demonstrated a shift towards cued/response search patterns over place/spatial strategies.
- Impaired object location memory, but intact object recognition memory, was observed in APP/PS1 mice.
- Neuropathological AD features were present in key brain regions associated with learning and spatial cognition.
Conclusions:
- APP/PS1 transgenic mice display distinct learning strategy preferences and spatial memory deficits relevant to Alzheimer's disease.
- The observed behavioral and cognitive impairments correlate with neuropathological hallmarks of AD in critical brain areas.
- These findings highlight the utility of APP/PS1 mice as a model for studying AD-related learning and memory alterations.
