T-Maze Acquisition and Reversal Learning
Objective: Assessment of spatial learning and cognitive flexibility using T-maze acquisition followed by reversal of the spatial location of the reinforcer
This is a T-Maze Acquisition and Reversal Learning protocol using mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 4 procedural steps, 3 equipment items. Extracted from a 2006 paper published in Behavioural Brain Research.
Model and subjects
mouse • Ten inbred strains including C57BL/6J, C57L/J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, C3H/HeJ, AKR/J, A/J, BALB/cByJ, BTBR T + tf /J, and 129S1/SvImJ • male • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
T-maze acquisition • T-maze reversal learning • Morris water maze acquisition and reversal
Primary readouts
- T-maze acquisition performance
- T-maze reversal learning criterion
- Morris water maze quadrant preference during reversal probe trial
- Elevated plus maze anxiety-like behavior scores
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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T-maze acquisition
Mice were trained on a T-maze task to assess spatial learning and acquisition of the task
Note: Strains that showed high levels of performance on acquisition of a T-maze task were also able to reach criterion for reversal learning
View evidence from paper
“Strains that showed high levels of performance on acquisition of a T-maze task were also able to reach criterion for reversal learning”
T-maze reversal learning
Following acquisition, the spatial location of the reinforcer was reversed to assess cognitive flexibility and reversal learning
Note: Reversal learning performance was assessed as a measure of cognitive flexibility
View evidence from paper
“reversal of the spatial location of the reinforcer in T-maze and Morris water maze tasks”
Morris water maze acquisition and reversal
Mice were tested on Morris water maze task with assessment of spatial learning and reversal probe trial
Note: DBA/2J, AKR/J, BTBR T + tf /J, and 129S1/SvImJ failed to show significant quadrant preference during the reversal probe trial
View evidence from paper
“On the Morris water maze task, DBA/2J, AKR/J, BTBR T + tf /J, and 129S1/SvImJ failed to show significant quadrant preference during the reversal probe trial”
Elevated plus maze assessment
Mice were tested on elevated plus maze to assess anxiety-like behaviors as a control measure
Note: High anxiety-like behaviors in certain strains could underlie components of their low social approach
View evidence from paper
“Elevated plus maze scores confirmed high anxiety-like behaviors in A/J, BALB/cByJ, and 129S1/SvImJ, which could underlie components of their low social approach”