Source Paper
Hydrogen‐Mediated Activation of the Nrf2/HO‐1 Signaling Pathway Improves Cognitive Impairment in Sleep‐Deprived Mice
Xiao Q, Zhou S, Tang B, Zhu Y
CNS Neurosci Ther • 2026
Novel Object Recognition Test
Objective: To assess recognition memory by measuring the preference for exploring a novel object versus a familiar object
This is a Novel Object Recognition Test protocol using Mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 8 procedural steps, 3 equipment items, 4 materials. Extracted from a 2026 paper published in CNS Neurosci Ther.
Model and subjects
Mouse • C57BL/6 • Male and female • 6 weeks old • 60
Study window
~20 minute study window | ~40 minutes hands-on
Core workflow
Day 1 preparation • Object placement • Training session
Primary readouts
- NOR index (percentage preference for novel object)
- Time exploring novel object
- Time exploring familiar object
- Total exploration time
Key equipment and reagents
Use this page as an execution guide, then fall back to the source paper whenever you need exact exclusions, dosing details, or assay-specific caveats.
Confirm first
- Verify the animal model, intervention setup, and collection timepoints against the source paper.
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- Jump to Experimental Context for readouts, data shape, and analysis flow before planning downstream analysis.
Protocol Steps
Start here. The step list is optimized for running the experiment, with direct vendor links available inline when you need to source a cited item.
Day 1 preparation
Bring mice to testing room and allow acclimatization for at least 30 minutes
View evidence from paper
“Mice were brought to the testing room and acclimatized for ≥ 30 min”
Object placement
Place two identical objects in arena corners, 6 cm from adjacent walls, secured with double-sided tape
View evidence from paper
“positioned 6 cm from adjacent walls in two non‐release corners”
Training session
Place each mouse facing release-corner wall and allow free exploration of arena and objects for 5 minutes
View evidence from paper
“Each mouse was placed facing a release‐corner wall and permitted to freely explore the arena and objects for 5 min”
Inter-trial interval
Wait 20 minutes between sessions
View evidence from paper
“After a 20‐min inter‐trial interval”
Arena cleaning
Clean arena thoroughly with 70% ethanol to remove odor cues
View evidence from paper
“the arena was cleaned thoroughly with 70% ethanol to remove odor cues”
Day 2 object replacement
Replace one familiar object with a novel object, fixed similarly
View evidence from paper
“One familiar object was exchanged for a novel object, fixed similarly”
Testing session
Place mouse facing wall and allow 5 minutes exploration
View evidence from paper
“Each mouse was again introduced facing the wall and given 5 min exploration”
Data calculation
Calculate NOR index using the formula: (Time exploring novel object - Time exploring familiar object) / Total exploration time × 100%
View evidence from paper
“Time exploring novel object − Time exploring familiar object / Total exploration time × 100 %”