Morris Water Maze - Spatial Task
Objective: To determine whether immediate-early gene (IEG) expression, specifically Arc, is regulated by spatial learning in a hippocampal-dependent water task and compare its expression patterns to other IEGs (c-fos and zif268)
This is a Morris Water Maze - Spatial Task protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 4 procedural steps, 1 equipment items, 1 materials. Extracted from a 2001 paper published in Journal of Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
rat • Not specified • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Spatial water task training • Nonspatial (cued response) water task training • Spatial reversal learning
Primary readouts
- Arc RNA expression levels in hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and primary visual cortex
- c-fos RNA expression levels in hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and primary visual cortex
- zif268 RNA expression levels in hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and primary visual cortex
- Correlation of IEG expression within brain structures
Key equipment and reagents
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- Verify the animal model, intervention setup, and collection timepoints against the source paper.
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Protocol Steps
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Spatial water task training
Rats were trained in a hippocampal-dependent spatial water task to assess learning
Note: This is a spatial task requiring hippocampal function
View evidence from paper
“rats trained in spatial and nonspatial water tasks were determined using RNase protection assays”
Nonspatial (cued response) water task training
Rats were trained in a hippocampal-independent cued response water task as a control condition
Note: This task does not depend on hippocampal function
View evidence from paper
“hippocampal-independent cued response, water task”
Spatial reversal learning
Rats underwent spatial reversal learning where the platform location was changed relative to an asymptotic performance group
Note: Used to assess learning-related changes in gene expression
View evidence from paper
“Arc RNA levels in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex increased after spatial reversal learning relative to an asymptotic performance group”
RNA extraction and analysis
IEG RNA levels were determined from hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and primary visual cortex using RNase protection assays and in situ hybridization
Note: Three brain regions were analyzed for Arc, c-fos, and zif268 expression
View evidence from paper
“IEG RNA levels from rats trained in spatial and nonspatial water tasks were determined using RNase protection assays and in situ hybridization”