Morris Water Maze Test Paper
Moving through the surrounding safely is the central to survival for almost all species including humans. This manoeuvring is mainly dependent on learning and remembering locations. The allocentric navigation involves mainly the hippocampus (Vorhees et al, 2014). Lesions, pharmacological inhibition, long-term potentiation (LTP) saturation, the act of learning itself within the hippocampus can result in impaired spatial learning and memory (Whitlock et al, 2006 and Suh et al 2011). Morris water maze test was developed by Richard G. Morris in 1981 for testing of hippocampal dependent memory including acquisition of spatial memory and long-term spatial memory (Morris, 1981). It is one of the main models used in the validation of neurocognitive
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Moreover, learning, memory and factors which influences these behaviours, such as visual acuity, motor function and motivation, can also be disassociated by manipulating the testing protocol (Vorhees et al, 2006). Adults rodents are used in this test as there is significant qualitative and quantitative differences between the developing and mature nervous systems (Barone et al, 2001). When compared to other memory tasks, Morris water maze has more advantages than disadvantages in allocentric navigation tasks (Vorhees et al, …show more content…
The escape platform was kept above the water surface by 30 cm during the initial training period. The four starting locations were labelled North (N), East (E), South (S), and West (W) at an equal distance from the rim. The water was maintained at 22 ± 2˚C and the temperature was checked with a laboratory thermometer and cleaned periodically.
Each of the animals underwent 3 trails on the same day. The animals were placed on the platform for about 20 seconds. The water maze had 4 starting positions or quadrants (North, South, East and West). The animal was taken to one of these starting positions. The animal was then lowered into the water by supporting it with hand and bringing it down gently with tail-end first. The animals were made to swim/search for the platform for a maximum of 60 seconds. At first, the animal was swimming around the edge of the pool looking for a way out but eventually, learnt to search for the platform and climb
Moreover, learning, memory and factors which influences these behaviours, such as visual acuity, motor function and motivation, can also be disassociated by manipulating the testing protocol (Vorhees et al, 2006). Adults rodents are used in this test as there is significant qualitative and quantitative differences between the developing and mature nervous systems (Barone et al, 2001). When compared to other memory tasks, Morris water maze has more advantages than disadvantages in allocentric navigation tasks (Vorhees et al, …show more content…
The escape platform was kept above the water surface by 30 cm during the initial training period. The four starting locations were labelled North (N), East (E), South (S), and West (W) at an equal distance from the rim. The water was maintained at 22 ± 2˚C and the temperature was checked with a laboratory thermometer and cleaned periodically.
Each of the animals underwent 3 trails on the same day. The animals were placed on the platform for about 20 seconds. The water maze had 4 starting positions or quadrants (North, South, East and West). The animal was taken to one of these starting positions. The animal was then lowered into the water by supporting it with hand and bringing it down gently with tail-end first. The animals were made to swim/search for the platform for a maximum of 60 seconds. At first, the animal was swimming around the edge of the pool looking for a way out but eventually, learnt to search for the platform and climb