A Review of the Historical Evolutionary Process of Dry and Water Maze Tests in Rodents

Abstract

This research provides an overview of the historical advances of the maze tests that are widely used to assess the cognitive impairments in rodents. Particularly, this study focuses on the issue of learning and memory behavioral tests, including dry and water mazes. Several types of mazes have been used in this setting, but their real advantages and applications depend on the type selected by the researcher. We answered some of the basic questions that any interested researcher in such studies may be faced with. The reviewed topics are as follows: the definition of maze learning, the role of the memory in the maze learning, the differences between several types of mazes, and foremost the rationale behind the maze constructions and designs.

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“…The MWM test is currently the most widely used behavioral experiment method for assessing cognitive dysfunction in rodents (Mohseni, Ghorbani Behnam, and Rafaiee 2020). As depicted in Figure 5 (F, G), there is a discernible reduction in the escape latency period for all mice over the course of a ve-day training regimen, signifying the effectiveness of the cognitive training.…”

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“…Therefore, “spatial” abilities measured in one procedure may not resemble those engaged in another but rather depends on the learning paradigm employed. In evaluating spatial learning and memory, paradigms have employed the radial arm maze test, T and Y mazes using spontaneous alternation and win-shift tests, Morris water maze, Barnes maze, Cincinnati maze, and spatial paradigms in the novel object recognition test ( Hodges, 1996 ; Paul et al, 2009 ; Morellini, 2013 ; Rosenfeld and Ferguson, 2014 ; Levin, 2015 ; Mohseni et al, 2020 ). Each can be modified to address specific questions with regards to learning and memory not only in the aspects of the learning paradigm but with subsequent assessments to assess memory and cognitive flexibility.…”