Radial maze learning using exclusively distant visual cues reveals learners and nonlearners among inbred mouse...

Spatial working memory on the radial maze was studied in 8 groups of isogenic mice. The device and procedure were specially designed to prevent the mice from using a response strategy or taking advantage of olfactory trails or other proximal cues. The results showed that the strains of mice were clearly split between those which succeeded (C57BL/6, DBA/2, CB6F1, B6D2F1) and those which failed (NZB, CBA, C3H/HE, BALB/c) to learn the task. A second experiment established that when more extended training was given, the four strains which had performed poorly in experiment 1 still did not improve their performance. In the conclusion, we discuss the possible reasons for the deficits of nonlearners and emphasize the importance of using proper tools to ensure the unambiguous assessment of the cognitive processes underlying behavioral adaptation.