Place and Response Learning in the Open-field Tower Maze |
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Authors: | Olga Lipatova Matthew M. Campolattaro Donna J. Toufexis Erin A. Mabry |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Psychology, Christopher Newport University;2.Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont |
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Abstract: | This protocol describes how the Open-field Tower Maze (OFTM) paradigm is used to study spatial learning in rodents. This maze is especially useful for examining how rats learn to use a place- or response-learning to successfully navigate in an open-field arena. Additionally, this protocol describes how the OFTM differs from other behavioral maze paradigms that are commonly used to study spatial learning in rodents. The OFTM described in this article was adapted from the one previously described by Cole, Clipperton, and Walt (2007). Specifically, the OFTM was created to test spatial learning in rodents without the experimenter having to consider how “stress” might play a role as a confounding variable. Experiments have shown that stress-alone can significantly affect cognitive function1. The representative results section contains data from an experiment that used the OFTM to examine the effects of estradiol treatment on place- and response-learning in adult female Sprague Dawley rats2. Future studies will be designed to examine the role of the hippocampus and striatum in place- and response-learning in the OFTM. |
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Keywords: | Behavior Issue 104 place-learning response-learning spatial learning memory experimental psychology behavioral neuroscience rat hippocampus striatum open-field tower maze stress |
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