Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A computer-controlled maze environment for testing visual memory in the rat

E A Gaffan1, M J Eacott

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Reading, UK.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|August 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cholinergic input to the hippocampus is not required for a model of episodic memory in the rat, even with multiple consecutive events.

Behavioural brain research·2017
Same author

Moving beyond standard procedures to assess spontaneous recognition memory.

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews·2015
Same author

Putting memory in context: dissociating memories by distinguishing the nature of context.

Behavioural brain research·2014
Same author

A new behavioural apparatus to reduce animal numbers in multiple types of spontaneous object recognition paradigms in rats.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2012
Same author

Health-related quality of life in Huntington's disease patients: a comparison of proxy assessment and patient self-rating using the disease-specific Huntington's disease health-related quality of life questionnaire (HDQoL).

Journal of neurology·2012
Same author

A novel test of visual learning in the rat: effects of 8 -OH-DPAT and WAY-100579.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·2012
Same journal

Time as the language of Behavior: events, sequences, patterns and meanings.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
Same journal

Detection of cochlear microphonic for differential diagnosis between auditory neuropathy mice and noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss mice.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
Same journal

Assessment metrics for pain control in rats: A methodological commentary.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
Same journal

Infant EEG preprocessing pipelines: A capability framework and current gaps in practice.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
Same journal

Methods for measuring neural activity during voluntary wheel running.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
Same journal

Serotype-dependent differences in AAV cellular transduction rates in the hypothalamus of Arctic ground squirrels.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
See all related articles

Researchers developed a computer-controlled Y-maze for automated visual learning and memory testing in rats. This system effectively assesses cognitive abilities using abstract visual stimuli, proving valuable for neuropsychological studies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Traditional methods for assessing rodent learning and memory can be labor-intensive.
  • There is a need for automated, standardized testing environments to study cognitive processes.
  • Visual stimuli offer a versatile modality for probing learning and memory mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a computer-controlled Y-maze for automated visual discrimination learning in rats.
  • To assess the efficacy of abstract visual patterns (Scenes and Objects) as stimuli.
  • To evaluate the performance of different rat strains and investigate novel training paradigms.

Main Methods:

  • A novel computer-controlled Y-maze equipped with monochromatic screens for visual stimulus presentation was designed.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Abstract visual patterns, including 'Scenes' and 'Objects', were algorithmically generated.
  • Rats were trained using concurrent visual discriminations, with rewards for correct choices monitored by infrared beam photodetectors.

    • Main Results:

    • Rats successfully acquired two-pair and, in most cases, four-pair visual discriminations using both 'Scenes' and 'Objects'.
    • Dark Agouti rats demonstrated superior performance compared to Hooded Lister rats.
    • A novel training procedure involving one positive and multiple negative patterns facilitated rapid learning of new discriminations, irrespective of pattern movement.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed automated Y-maze is an effective tool for studying visual learning and memory in rats.
    • The system supports a wide range of tasks relevant to neuropsychology and psychopharmacology.
    • Algorithmic pattern generation and novel training methods enhance the efficiency and scope of cognitive testing in rodents.