Morris Water Maze
Objective: Assessment of spatial learning and memory by measuring ability to locate a hidden platform in a water maze
This is a Morris Water Maze protocol using mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 3 procedural steps, 2 equipment items, 2 materials. Extracted from a 2016 paper published in Stroke.
Model and subjects
mouse • C57BL/6 • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
~1 week study window
Core workflow
Surgical induction of cerebral ischemia • Cerebroventricular infusion • Morris Water Maze testing
Primary readouts
- Ability to locate hidden platform in Morris water maze
- Spatial learning and memory performance
- Neuronal tissue loss (verified by two independent neuron markers)
- Markers of classically activated (M1) microglia
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Surgical induction of cerebral ischemia
Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) or permanent distal MCAO (dMCAO) was induced in wild-type (WT) and IL-4 knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice
Note: Two different ischemia models were used in different animal groups
View evidence from paper
“Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) or permanent distal MCAO (dMCAO) was induced in wild-type (WT) and IL-4 knockout (KO) C57/BL6 mice”
Cerebroventricular infusion
In a separate cohort of WT animals, IL-4 (60 ng/d for 7d) or vehicle was infused into the cerebroventricle after tMCAO
Note: Only WT animals received this treatment; infusion occurred after tMCAO induction
View evidence from paper
“In a separate cohort of WT animals, IL-4 (60 ng/d for 7d) or vehicle was infused into the cerebroventricle after tMCAO”
Morris Water Maze testing
Assessment of spatial learning and memory by measuring ability to locate a hidden platform in a water maze
Note: Conducted as part of behavioral outcome assessment battery
View evidence from paper
“Behavioral outcomes were assessed by the Rotarod, corner, foot fault, and Morris water maze tests”