The authors have no acknowledgements.

Declaração de Ética: Todos os procedimentos foram aprovados pelo Comitê de Ética Animal da Universidade de Sydney e conformado com Nacional de Saúde e do Conselho, de orientações Austrália Investigação Médica. Os procedimentos foram realizados em ratinhos C57 / BL6J que foram criadas na Bosch Roedor Facility da Universidade de Sydney. Todos os ratos foram alojados em um único quarto adequadamente ventilado no 21 ° C de temperatura ambiente em um ciclo claro-escuro de 12 horas, com luzes acesas em 0600 hr em gaiolas ventiladas individualmente com acesso ad libitum a comida seca e água. Fêmeas final da gravidez foram aleatoriamente designados para as condições de habitação padrão ou ambientalmente enriquecidos. 1. Habitação (níveis de enriquecimento): <ol><li> Obter 4 final da gravidez camundongos fêmeas adultas. Aleatoriamente atribuir 2 à condição padrão e colocar cada um deles em uma gaiola mouse padrão limpo (dimensões globais 391 x 199 x 160 mm) contendo um igloo vermelho mouse. Para a condição enriquecido, coloque o remaining 2 ratos em uma única gaiola de tamanho rat-clean (dimensões 462 x 403 x 404 mm). </li><li> Into the cage enriquecimento, coloque uma variedade de objetos destinados a aumentar a estimulação sensorial e motora (por exemplo, rodas de corrida, estímulos visuais, bolas de algodão perfumadas, tiras de velcro). </li><li> A cada 2 a 3 dias mover sobre estes objectos no interior da gaiola; atualizar qualquer que foram destruídas. </li><li> Após o desmame aos 21 dias pós-parto, os animais do sexo e local em habitação segregada macho-fêmea de acordo com as condições ambientais foram criados. Para a condição enriquecido garantir que existam entre 3 e 10 ratos por gaiola com 2 e 5 ratos por padrão. Começar o teste comportamental, os animais atingem a idade adulta (12-14 semanas de idade). </li></ol> 2. Construção do Puzzle Box <ol><li> Obter 6 partes de acrílico branco (ou outro material não-poroso): um 750 x 280 mm de diâmetro, dois 280 x 250 mm, dois 750 x 250 mm e um 150 x 280 mm (ver Figura 1). </li><li> Obter um pedaço de acrílico preto 280 x 250 mm, com uma abertura quadrada 40 x 40 cortado em um dos lados dessa peça (ver Figura 1). </li><li> Montar o puzzle caixa do seguinte modo: usar o pedaço de 750 mm x 280 como a parte inferior da caixa, utilizar 280 x 250 mm peças como as extremidades da caixa, e as peças de 750 x 250 mm, como as laterais da caixa. </li><li> Medir 150 milímetros na caixa a partir de uma extremidade, e colocar a peça de acrílico preto através da caixa de modo que o divide em dois compartimentos (um grande, um pequeno) com a abertura alinhada com o fundo da caixa. </li><li> Leve o mm pedaço de acrílico branco de 150 x 280 e colocá-lo no topo do menor compartimento da caixa certificando-se que abrange esta área completamente, proporcionando uma &quot;meta-box&quot; a câmara escura. Apor esta peça de acrílico para o corpo principal da caixa por meio de dobradiças, ou deixar-se livre para ser completamente removido durante o teste comportamental. </li><li> Tome 3 peças de acrílico (três 4 x 120 mm) e juntar-se para fazer um &quot;u-shaped &quot;canal. </li></ol><img alt="Figura 1" fo:content-width="5in" src="/files/ftp_upload/52225/52225fig1highres.jpg" width="500" /> Figura 1: Diagrama esquemático da tarefa Puzzle Box. The Puzzle Box é uma caixa de acrílico que consiste em uma área de campo aberto (600 x 280 mm) e uma área abrigada meta-box (150 x 280 mm), medindo 750 x 280 mm de todos. A abertura de 40 x 40 mm para dentro da partição (cinza) que separa as duas áreas permite animais para aceder à área de meta-box coberto pelo campo aberto. Esta abertura é bloqueada com obstruções, que são cada vez mais difíceis de remover como teste progride. Os animais submetidos a um protocolo de cinco dias, consistindo de quatro condições de obstrução com três ensaios para cada condição. 3. Corrida da Task Puzzle Box <ol><li> Limpe bem a caixa do enigma com 70% de álcool. Repita este passo entre cada animal testado. </li><li> Coloque um igloo limpo rato vermelho no ar meta-boxeA do Puzzle Box, e substituir a tampa na meta-box. </li><li> Se houver uma condição de obstrução que está sendo testado, coloque a obstrução dentro da porta da meta-box (ver Figura 2). </li><li> Posicione o mouse está sendo testado para a seção de campo aberto do Puzzle Box, orientada para a meta-box, e na extremidade mais afastada meta-box. </li><li> Anote o tempo necessário para que todas as quatro patas do animal para entrar na seção de meta-box do Puzzle Box. </li><li> Se um animal não entra meta-box, encerrar o julgamento uma vez que o limite de tempo definido é atingido (ver Tabela 1). </li><li> Uma vez que um julgamento terminar, retire o animal da Puzzle Box e colocá-lo em uma gaiola exploração separada até o próximo julgamento começa. Mantenha uma 60-180 sec lacuna entre ensaios para cada animal. </li><li> Para cada animal, realizar três ensaios por dia, durante cinco dias consecutivos de testes, com quatro condições de obstrução e três tentativas de cada estado. A terceira trial de uma determinada condição de obstrução deve sempre administrada num dia subsequente (ver Tabela 1). </li></ol><img alt="Tabela 1" fo:content-width="5in" src="/files/ftp_upload/52225/52225table1.jpg" width="500" /> Tabela 1: Esquema da tarefa Puzzle Box. A tarefa Puzzle Box é executado por cinco dias, e consiste em quatro condições de obstrução. Existem três ensaios em cada um dos primeiros quatro dias, e um no quinto dia. Cada condição obstrução tem três ensaios; os dois primeiros em um dia, e o terceiro no dia imediatamente seguinte. O primeiro ensaio de uma condição de obstrução visa testar a capacidade de resolução de problemas nativa, a segunda tentativa examina aquisição tarefa e reforço, e o terceiro ensaio é utilizado como um ensaio para a retenção de solução e recall. <img alt="Figura 2" fo:content-width="6in" src="/files/ftp_upload/52225/52225fig2highres.jpg" width="600" /> Figura 2: Dificultarcondições de íons dentro da tarefa Puzzle Box. Diagramas esquemáticos da arena Puzzle Box e as condições de obstrução usadas neste estudo. (A) Condição 0 (C0), sem obstrução presente na porta entre o campo aberto e meta-box. (B) Condição 1 (C1 ), com um &quot;u em forma de&quot; canal presente dentro da porta entre o campo aberto e meta-box. (C) Condição 2 (C2), onde o canal é cheio com material de cama limpa. (D) Condição 3 (C3 ), com um &quot;plug tecido&quot; presente na porta entre o campo aberto e meta-box. (E) Condição 4 (C4) com um &quot;plug espuma&quot; presente na porta entre o campo aberto e meta-box áreas. Dimensões da arena são como por listados em Métodos e Figura 1. 4. Interpretação de Dados <ol><li> Representar dados como a hora tomadas para completar o julgamento (incluindo ensaios nulos onde os animais não completaram a tarefa dentro do prazo especificado) ou como o número de ensaios nulos. </li><li> Use a medidas repetidas ANOVA para avaliar o efeito da condição de habitação sobre o desempenho dentro do Puzzle Box, com o tipo de obstrução / condição (C) e número de tarefas (T) intra-sujeitos fatores e nível de enriquecimento (standard contra enriquecido) como entre sujeitos de fator . </li></ol>

The authors declare they have no competing financial interests.

Os dados apresentados demonstram que o quebra-Box pode ser utilizado eficazmente para avaliar o impacto de EE. Ratos criados em ambientes enriquecidos consistentemente levou muito menos tempo para resolver enigmas obstrução dentro deste ensaio comportamental do que os animais criados dentro de condições padrão de laboratório. Além disso, esta diferença foi mais proeminente no primeiro julgamento por três das quatro condições testadas, sugerindo EE tem uma maior influência sobre nativa habilidade de resolver ...

O enriquecimento ambiental (EE) pode ser definida como um ambiente que fornecem animais com maior oportunidade para a interação social, a atividade motora e maior estimulação sensorial do que geralmente experimentado em um environment.EE padrão de laboratório foi mostrado para afetar de forma consistente o comportamento dos animais, provocando mudanças, como a redução de estresse e atividade relacionada com ansiedade 10/08, o desempenho melhorou em tarefas de aprendizagem e memória 8,11, início precoce da coordenação motora e atividade exploratória 11, mudanças na assistência materno 8, bem como resistência a substâncias que causam dependência 12- 15. Além disso, o EE tem sido revelado para melhorar os efeitos de doenças neurodegenerativas, retardar o aparecimento e diminuindo a gravidade dos sintomas em modelos animais de doença de Huntington 1-4,16, 17 Parkinson e doença de Alzheimer 18. Essas mudanças CRrelacionam com as alterações anatómicas e moleculares EE é conhecido por induzir a todo o cérebro. Animais criados em ambientes enriquecidos de estágios iniciais de desenvolvimento mostram uma miríade de mudanças neurais, incluindo o aumento de peso do cérebro e da espessura cortical, dendrítica ramificação 9,2-22 e densidade sináptica 23. EE pode alterar tanto o nível e momento de expressão do factor de crescimento 9,24-30, o que foi mostrado para contribuir para o desenvolvimento acelerado de sensorial 25,26,28,29, 30 de acelerador, bem como circuitos de motores 31,32. Trabalhos anteriores revelaram a conclusões vezes contraditórios quando se investiga o impacto da EE, sem levar em conta os diferentes tipos de animais e ambientes utilizados dentro estudos individuais 9,24,27,30. Actualmente, não existe qualquer prova comportamental, consistente e simples que pode ser usado para medir a eficácia de vários paradigmas de EE em diferentes estirpes e especificaçãoies de animais. A tarefa Puzzle Box foi concebido como um teste simples para determinar problema nativo de um animal habilidade de resolver 7. Animais colocados na área aberta são obrigados a remover obstruindo materiais situados dentro de uma pequena abertura para acessar uma região / abrigo coberto. Cada sujeito recebe três ensaios com a mesma obstrução a fim de avaliar a três atributos cognitivos diferentes. O primeiro ensaio produzir uma indicação da linha de base de capacidade de resolução de problemas inerentes ou nativa. O segundo ensaio, executado no mesmo dia, dá alguma indicação da capacidade do animal para melhorar e, assim, reforçar as estratégias para a remoção da obstrução específica. O terceiro julgamento, realizado no dia seguinte, fornece insights sobre a capacidade do sujeito para reter e recordar a solução aprenderam a tarefa. A motivação para a resolução destes puzzles &quot;obstrução&quot; pelos animais pode ser variada, potencialmenteevocando um desejo inato de evitar campos abertos e procurar abrigo, bem como uma tendência inerente para explorar os arredores 6,7. A multidão de potenciais motoristas comportamentais subjacentes ao desejo de resolver o Puzzle Box sugere que várias áreas do cérebro estão envolvidas na mediação de desempenho da tarefa. Trabalhos anteriores mostraram que, em modelos murinos de esquizofrenia, o córtex pré-frontal, bem como o hipocampo estão envolvidos na aquisição desta tarefa 5. Um estudo de lesão em ratos revelou também um grande número de regiões do cérebro envolvidas no desempenho Puzzle Box, incluindo vários núcleos talâmicos, o hipotálamo, o cerebelo e estruturas límbicas. Juntos, estes resultados indicam que o envolvimento neste resolução de problemas tarefa envolve uma série de estruturas neurais associadas com a função cognitiva. O puzzle caixa tem sido utilizado com sucesso para avaliar a capacidade de resolução de problemas de ratinhos, assim como os défices cognitivos exibido por mmodelos de urina de esquizofrenia 5-7. O desempenho da tarefa foi mostrado ser altamente consistente, e correlacionam-se bem com os resultados de outros testes comportamentais, cognitivas 6. O objetivo deste trabalho foi, portanto, de se adaptar a tarefa Puzzle Box para tornar-se um meio simples e confiável para se determinar a eficácia da EE.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Black Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td>280 x 250 mm with a 40 x 40 mm &quot;door&quot; cut into one side</td></tr><tr><td>White Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td>280 x 250 mm</td></tr><tr><td>White Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td>280 x 250 mm</td></tr><tr><td>White Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td>750 x 250 mm</td></tr><tr><td>White Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td>750 x 250 mm</td></tr><tr><td>White Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td>150 x 280 mm</td></tr><tr><td>White Acrylic Board</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Underpass</td><td></td><td></td><td>3 pieces of 40 x 120 mm plexiglass or acrylic</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Note: If unable to access acrylic board, plexiglass or similar non-porous material will suffice.</td></tr><tr><td>Webcam</td><td>Logitech</td><td>C210</td><td>Fix to roof with electrical tape. Alternatively, use a tripod.</td></tr><tr><td>VirtualDub v1.10.4</td><td>VirtualDub</td><td>N/A&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Software for recording behaviour videos. Input from webcam.</td></tr><tr><td>TopScan v 3.0</td><td>CleverSys Inc.</td><td>N/A&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Software for automated top-view tracking and analysis of mouse behaviour. Captured videos are analysed post-hoc.</td></tr></tbody></table>

the use of the puzzle box as a means of assessing the efficacy of environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment can dramatically influence the development and function of neural circuits. Further, enrichment has been shown to successfully delay the onset of symptoms in models of Huntington&#8217;s disease 1-4, suggesting environmental factors can evoke a neuroprotective effect against the progressive, cellular level damage observed in neurodegenerative disorders. The ways in which an animal can be environmentally enriched, however, can vary considerably. Further, there is no straightforward manner in which the effects of environmental enrichment can be assessed: most methods require either fairly complicated behavioral paradigms and/or postmortem anatomical/physiological analyses. This protocol describes the use of a simple and inexpensive behavioral assay, the Puzzle Box 5-7 as a robust means of determining the efficacy of increased social, sensory and motor stimulation on mice compared to cohorts raised in standard laboratory conditions. This simple problem solving task takes advantage of a rodent&#8217;s innate desire to avoid open enclosures by seeking shelter. Cognitive ability is assessed by adding increasingly complex impediments to the shelter&#8217;s entrance. The time a given subject takes to successfully remove the obstructions and enter the shelter serves as the primary metric for task performance. This method could provide a reliable means of rapidly assessing the efficacy of different enrichment protocols on cognitive function, thus paving the way for systematically determining the role specific environmental factors play in delaying the onset of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease.

Os resultados descritos aqui são uma amostra representativa, com os dados obtidos de várias coortes com várias ninhadas. Todos os testes comportamentais foi realizada entre 0700 e 1100 horas, com a ordem de teste randomizado de animais dentro de uma coorte. Animais criados em um ambiente enriquecido (n = 14, 7 do sexo feminino e 7 do sexo masculino) levou muito menos tempo para resolver as tarefas de obstrução dentro da caixa do enigma do que aqueles criados em um ambiente padrão (n = 15, 7 do sexo feminino e 8 do...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment at JoVE.com

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

Environmental enrichment provides a potential protective effect against neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, however, there is no easy way of determining the efficacy of enrichment procedures. This protocol describes a simple &#8220;Puzzle Box&#8221; method for assessing an animal&#8217;s cognitive function, in order to reveal the effectiveness of environmental enrichment.

O uso do Puzzle Box como uma forma de avaliar a eficácia de Enriquecimento Ambiental

Environmental enrichment can dramatically influence the development and function of neural circuits.  Further, enrichment has been shown to successfully ...

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11.7K visualizações.  University of Sydney. Environmental enrichment provides a potential protective effect against neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, however, there is no easy way of determining the efficacy of enrichment procedures. This protocol describes a simple “Puzzle Box” method for assessing an animal’s cognitive function, in order to reveal the effectiveness of environmental enrichment.

Vídeo: The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

The Modified Hole Board - Measuring Behavior, Cognition and Social Interaction in Mice and Rats

This protocol describes the modified hole board (mHB), which combines features from a traditional hole board and open field and is designed to measure multiple dimensions of unconditioned behavior in small laboratory mammals (e.g., mice, rats, tree shrews and small primates). This paradigm is a valuable alternative for the use of a behavioral test battery, since a broad behavioral spectrum of an animal&#8217;s behavioral profile can be investigated in one single test.
The apparatus consists of a box, representing the &#8216;protected&#8217; area, separated from a group compartment. A board, on which small cylinders are staggered in three lines, is placed in the center of the box, representing the &#8216;unprotected&#8217; area of the set-up. The cognitive abilities of the animals can be measured by baiting some cylinders on the board and measuring the working and reference memory. Other unconditioned behavior, such as activity-related-, anxiety-related- and social behavior, can be observed using this paradigm. Behavioral flexibility and the ability to habituate to a novel environment can additionally be observed by subjecting the animals to multiple trials in the mHB, revealing insight into the animals&#8217; adaptive capacities.
Due to testing order effects in a behavioral test battery, na&#239;ve animals should be used for each individual experiment. By testing multiple behavioral dimensions in a single paradigm and thereby circumventing this issue, the number of experimental animals used is reduced. Furthermore, by avoiding social isolation during testing and without the need to food deprive the animals, the mHB represents a behavioral test system, inducing if any, very low amount of stress.

This protocol describes the modified hole board, which is a behavioral test set-up that comprises the characteristics of an open field and a traditional hole board. This set-up enables the differential analysis of unconditioned behavior of small laboratory mammals as well as the analysis of cognitive abilities.

The Hole Board Modificado - Medir Comportamento, Cognição e Interação Social em camundongos e ratos

This protocol describes the modified hole board (mHB), which combines features from a traditional hole board and open field and is designed to measure ...

Comportamento

A Protocol for Housing Mice in an Enriched Environment

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a housing environment for mice that boosts mental and physical health compared to standard laboratory housing. Our recent studies demonstrate that environmental enrichment decreases adiposity, increases energy expenditure, resists diet induced obesity, and causes cancer remission and inhibition in mice. EE typically consists of larger living space, a variety of &#8216;toys&#8217; to interact with, running wheels, and can include a number of other novel environmental changes. All of this fosters a more complex social engagement, cognitive and physical stimulations. Importantly, the toy location and type of toy is changed regularly, which encourages the mice to adapt to a frequently changing and novel environment. Many variables can be manipulated in EE to promote health effects in mice. Thus these approaches are difficult to control and must be properly managed to successfully replicate the associated phenotypes. Therefore, the goal of this video is to demonstrate how EE is properly set up and maintained to assure a complex, challenging, and controlled environment so that other researchers can easily reproduce the protective effects of EE against obesity and cancer.

Environmental enrichment for mice requires a complex and challenging setup, as well as comprehensive husbandry and handling techniques to assure robust metabolic and anti-cancer effects in the mice. This protocol provides detailed procedures to reproduce the above mentioned effects in mice.

Um protocolo para alojar ratos em um ambiente enriquecido

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a housing environment for mice that boosts mental and physical health compared to standard laboratory housing. Our recent ...

An Operant Intra-/Extra-dimensional Set-shift Task for Mice

Alterations in executive control and cognitive flexibility, such as attentional set-shifting abilities, are core features of several neuropsychiatric diseases. The most widely used neuropsychological tests for the evaluation of attentional set-shifting in human subjects are the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the CANTAB Intra-/Extra-dimensional set shift task (ID/ED). These tasks have proven clinical relevance and have been modified and successfully adapted for research in animal models. However, currently available tasks for rodents present several limitations, mainly due to their manual-based testing procedures, which are hampering translational advances in psychiatric medicine. To overcome these limitations and to better mimic the original version in primates, we present the development of a novel operant-based two-chamber ID/ED "Operon" task for rodents. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this novel task to measure different facets of cognitive flexibility in mice including attentional set formation and shifting, and reversal learning. Moreover, we show the high flexibility of this task in which three different perceptual dimensions can be manipulated with a high number of stimuli cues for each dimension. This novel ID/ED Operon task can be an effective preclinical tool for drug testing and/or large genetic screening relevant to the study of executive dysfunction and cognitive symptoms found in psychiatric disorders.

Attentional set-shifting cognitive abnormalities are a core feature of many psychiatric diseases. Here, we present the development of a novel automatic system for the effective study of attentional set-shifting abilities, executive functions and other cognitive abilities in mice with high translational validity to human studies.

Um operante intra / extra-dimensional Set-shift-Tarefa para ratos

Alterations in executive control and cognitive flexibility, such as attentional set-shifting abilities, are core features of several neuropsychiatric ...

Novel Object Exploration as a Potential Assay for Higher Order Repetitive Behaviors in Mice

Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disrupt the lives of affected individuals. RRBs are commonly split into lower-order and higher-order components, with lower order RRBs consisting of motor stereotypies and higher order RRBs consisting of perseverative and sequencing behaviors. Higher order RRBs are challenging to model in mice. Current assays for RRBs in mice focus primarily on the lower order components, making basic biomedical research into potential treatments or interventions for higher-order RRBs difficult. Here we describe a new assay, novel object exploration. This assay uses a basic open-field arena with four novel objects placed around the perimeter. The test mouse is allowed to freely explore the arena and the order in which the mouse investigates the novel objects is recorded. From these data, patterned sequences of exploration can be identified, as can the most preferred object for each mouse. The representative data shared here and past results using the novel object exploration assay illustrate that inbred mouse strains do demonstrate different behavior in this assay and that strains with elevated lower order RRBs also show elevated patterned behavior. As such, the novel object exploration assay appears to possess good face validity for higher order RRBs in humans and may be a valuable assay for future studies investigating novel therapeutics for ASD.

Higher order restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) disrupt the lives of affected individuals. These behaviors are challenging to model in rodents, making basic biomedical research into potential treatments or interventions for RRBs difficult. Here we describe novel object exploration as a potential assay for higher order RRBs in mice.

Exploração objeto romance como um ensaio de Potencial de ordem superior comportamentos repetitivos em Ratos

Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disrupt the lives of affected individuals.  RRBs are ...

Introducing Clicker Training as a Cognitive Enrichment for Laboratory Mice

Establishing new refinement strategies in laboratory animal science is a central goal in fulfilling the requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU. Previous research determined a profound impact of gentle handling protocols on the well-being of laboratory mice. By introducing clicker training to the keeping of mice, not only do we promote the amicable treatment of mice, but we also enable them to experience cognitive enrichment. Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement training using a conditioned secondary reinforcer, the "click" sound of a clicker, which serves as a time bridge between the strengthened behavior and an upcoming reward. The effective implementation of the clicker training protocol with a cohort of 12 BALB/c inbred mice of each sex proved to be uncomplicated. The mice learned rather quickly when challenged with tasks of the clicker training protocol, and almost all trained mice overcame the challenges they were given (100% of female mice and 83% of male mice). This study has identified that clicker training for mice strongly correlates with reduced fear in the mice during human-mice interactions, as shown by reduced anxiety-related behaviors (e.g., defecation, vocalization, and urination) and fewer depression-like behaviors (e.g., floating). By developing a reliable protocol that can be easily integrated into the daily routine of the keeping of laboratory mice, the lifetime experience of welfare in the mice can be improved substantially.

The development of new refinement strategies for laboratory mice is a challenging task that contributes towards fulfilling the 3R principle. This protocol introduces clicker training as a cognitive enrichment program for laboratory mice.

Apresentando Clicker Formação como um enriquecimento cognitivo para Laboratório Mice

Establishing new refinement strategies in laboratory animal science is a central goal in fulfilling the requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU. Previous ...

Analyzing Spatial Learning and Prosocial Behavior in Mice Using the Barnes Maze and Damsel-in-Distress Paradigms

The Barnes maze is a reliable measure of spatial learning and memory that does not require food restriction or exposure to extremely stressful stimuli. The Barnes maze can also assess other mouse behaviors, such as general motivation to escape from the maze platform and exploratory behavior. The Barnes maze can measure whether a genetic mutation or environmental variable can impact the acquisition and retention of spatial memories, as well as provide information about the search strategy employed by the mice. Here we use the Barnes maze to detect a memory deficit in adult mice following a single developmental ethanol exposure event. The newly described Damsel-in-Distress paradigm exposes a male mouse to a female mouse trapped in a chamber in the open center field of the arena. It provides an opportunity for the mouse to socially respond to the trapped female and exhibit prosocial behavior. The Damsel-in-Distress paradigm can also be used to examine mouse behavior in a novel arena and measure locomotor activity. Both the Barnes Maze and the Damsel-in-Distress protocols require minimal financial investment and most aspects of the tests can be constructed from common lab supplies. These flexible and accessible tools can also be used to detect behavioral changes over the course of development.

This protocol measures spatial learning and memory using the Barnes maze. A novel Damsel-in-Distress paradigm is used to assess locomotor activity and prosocial behavior in mice.

Analisando a aprendizagem espacial e comportamento pró-social nos ratos usando o labirinto de Barnes e paradigmas de donzela em apuros

The Barnes maze is a reliable measure of spatial learning and memory that does not require food restriction or exposure to extremely stressful stimuli. ...

A Standardized Protocol for Preference Testing to Assess Fish Welfare

Animal welfare assessment techniques try to take into consideration the specific needs and wants of the animal in question. Providing enrichment (the addition of physical objects or conspecifics in the housing environment) is often a way to give captive animals the opportunity to choose who or what they interact with and how they spend their time. A fundamental component of the aquatic environment that is often overlooked in captivity, however, is the ability for the animal to choose to engage in physical exercise. For many animals, including fish, exercise is an important aspect of their life history, and is known to have many health benefits, including positive changes in the brain and behavior. Here we present a method for assessing habitat preferences in captive animals. The protocol could easily be adapted to look at a variety of environmental factors (e.g., gravel versus sand as a substrate, plastic plants versus live plants, low flow versus high flow of water) in different aquatic species, or for use with terrestrial species. Statistical assessment of preference is carried out using Jacob&#39;s preference index, which ranks the habitats from -1 (avoidance) to +1 (most preferred). With this information, it can be determined what the animal wants from a welfare perspective, including their preferred location.

A fundamental aspect of assessing the welfare of animals in captivity is to ask whether the animals have what they want. Here, we present a protocol to determine housing preference in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) with respect to the presence/absence of environmental enrichment and access to flowing of water.

Um protocolo padronizado para testes de preferência para avaliar o bem-estar dos peixes

Animal welfare assessment techniques try to take into consideration the specific needs and wants of the animal in question. Providing enrichment (the ...

The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups

Problem-solving tasks are commonly used to investigate technical, innovative behavior but a comparison of this ability across a broad range of species is a challenging undertaking. Specific predispositions, such as the morphological toolkit of a species or exploration techniques, can substantially influence performance in such tasks, which makes direct comparisons difficult. The method presented here was developed to be more robust with regard to such species-specific differences: the Innovation Arena presents 20 different problem-solving tasks. All tasks are presented simultaneously. Subjects are confronted with the apparatus repeatedly, which allows a measurement of the emergence of innovations over time - an important next step for investigating how animals can adapt to changing environmental conditions through innovative behavior.
Each individual was tested with the apparatus until it ceased to discover solutions. After testing was concluded, we analyzed the video recordings and coded successful retrieval of rewards and multiple apparatus-directed behaviors. The latter were analyzed using a Principal Component Analysis and the resulting components were then included in a Generalized Linear Mixed Model together with session number and the group comparison of interest to predict the probability of success.
We used this approach in a first study to target the question of whether long-term captivity influences the problem-solving ability of a parrot species known for its innovative behavior: the Goffin&#180;s cockatoo. We found an effect in degree of motivation but no difference in the problem-solving ability between short- and long-term captive groups.

The Innovation Arena is a novel comparative method for studying technical innovation rate per time unit in animals. It is composed of 20 different problem-solving tasks, which are presented simultaneously. Innovations can be carried out freely and the setup is robust with regard to predispositions on an individual, population or species level.

A Arena de Inovação: um método para comparar problemas inovadores entre grupos

Problem-solving tasks are commonly used to investigate technical, innovative behavior but a comparison of this ability across a broad range of species is ...

A Behavioral Task Modeling 'Everyday Memory' in an Event Arena to Foster Allocentric Representations for Rodents

The event arena provides an optimal platform to investigate learning and memory. The appetitive everyday memory task described in this paper provides a robust protocol for the investigation of episodic and spatial memory in rodents, which specifically fosters allocentric memory representation. Rats are trained to find and dig for food during the encoding phase and, after a time delay, rats are given a choice to find the reward food pellet in the correct location. There are two key elements that promote the use of an allocentric strategy in this protocol: 1) rats start from different start locations within and between sessions, 2) a stable home-base is deployed where rats have to carry their food to eat. By means of these modifications, we effectively encourage the rodents to use allocentric spatial representations to perform the task. In addition, the task provides a good paradigm for within-subject experimental design and allows experimenters to manipulate different conditions to reduce variability. Used in conjunction with behavioral and physiological techniques, the resulting rodent model provides an effective test-bed for future research into memory formation and retention.

<meta charset="utf8"></head><body>Uma tarefa comportamental modelando a 'memória cotidiana' em uma arena de eventos para promover representações alocêntricas para roedores

The goal of this optimized 'everyday memory' protocol in an event arena was to employ a stable home-base that encourages the use of allocentric spatial representations. This animal model provides an effective test-bed for future research into the formation and retention of event memories using behavioral and physiological techniques.

Uma tarefa comportamental modelando a 'memória cotidiana' em uma arena de eventos para promover representações alocêntricas para roedores

The event arena provides an optimal platform to investigate learning and memory. The appetitive everyday memory task described in this paper provides a ...

O uso do Puzzle Box como uma forma de avaliar a eficácia de Enriquecimento Ambiental

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Uma tarefa comportamental modelando a 'memória cotidiana' em uma arena de eventos para promover representações alocêntricas para roedores