Following of aging process in a new motor skill learning model, "pot jumping" in rats.

摘要: Impairment of procedural memory is a frequent and severe symptom in many neurological psychiatric diseases as well during aging. Our aim was to establish an assay rats which learning changes performance can be studied on the long term. The work done frame larger project aiming complex cognitive animal test battery high translational value. equipment 190-cm-diameter circular water tank where 12 flower pots were placed upside down circle with increasing distances (18–46 cm) between adjacent ones. Male Lister Hooded Long-Evans allowed move for 3 min. arena filled shallow make stay pots. Animals obviously motivated around pots; however, distance required jumping (> 26 cm) meant barrier some them. Development motor skill measured by longest successfully spanned. A relatively flat bell-shaped age dependence observed, peak at 13 months age. gradual decline could observed after 20 months preceded appearance overt physical weakness. showed more homogeneous higher individual stability than rats. method appropriate study development follow its age-dependent changes. It may also serve testing potential drugs improving skills and/or memory.