Spatial Reversal Learning
Objective: To determine whether Arc expression differs from c-fos and zif268 after spatial reversal learning, and to examine if Arc RNA levels correlate with learning of hippocampal-dependent spatial tasks versus hippocampal-independent cued response tasks
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Equipment1
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Materials1
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Software1
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Estimated: $690.00
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Protocol Steps
Initial spatial task training
Rats were trained on an initial spatial water task until asymptotic performance was achieved
Note: This is a hippocampal-dependent task
View evidence from paper
“Rats underwent spatial reversal learning trials following asymptotic performance on the initial spatial task”
Spatial reversal learning
Following asymptotic performance on the initial spatial task, rats underwent spatial reversal learning trials where the location of the goal was reversed
Note: Arc RNA levels in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex increased after spatial reversal learning relative to asymptotic performance group
View evidence from paper
“Arc RNA levels in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex increased after spatial reversal learning relative to an asymptotic performance group”
Cued response water task training
Rats were trained on a hippocampal-independent cued response water task as a control condition
Note: This is a hippocampal-independent task used for comparison
View evidence from paper
“IEG RNA levels from rats trained in spatial and nonspatial water tasks were determined using RNase protection assays”
Brain tissue collection
Brain tissue was collected from trained rats for gene expression analysis
Note: Tissue was analyzed from hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and primary visual cortex
View evidence from paper
“IEG RNA levels were positively correlated within a structure”
RNase protection assay
RNA was extracted and analyzed using RNase protection assays to measure Arc, c-fos, and zif268 expression levels
Note: Measured immediate-early gene RNA levels
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”
In situ hybridization
In situ hybridization was performed to localize and visualize Arc, c-fos, and zif268 expression in brain tissue sections
Note: Complementary method to RNase protection assays
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”