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Abstract

Behavior

A Within-Subject Experimental Design using an Object Location Task in Rats

Published: May 6th, 2021

DOI:

10.3791/62458

1Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 2Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie, 3Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 4Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 5Center for Proteins in Memory - PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University

* These authors contributed equally

Abstract

Object place recognition is a prominent method used to investigate spatial memory in rodents. This object place recognition memory forms the basis of the object location task. This paper provides an extensive protocol to guide the establishment of an object location task with the option of up to four repetitions using the same cohort of rats. Both weak and strong encoding protocols can be used to study short- and long-term spatial memories of varying strength and to enable the implementation of relevant memory-inhibiting or -enhancing manipulations. In addition, repetition of the test with the counterbalancing presented here allows the combination of results from two or more tests for within-subject comparison to reduce variability between rats. This method helps to increase statistical power and is strongly recommended, particularly when running experiments that produce high variation in individual behavior. This directly refines the study by increasing the data obtained from each animal and reducing the overall number of animals needed. Finally, implementation of the repeated object location task increases the efficiency of studies that involve surgical procedures by saving time and labor.

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Keywords Object Location Task

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