Lifetime Observation of Cognition and Physiological Parameters in Male Mice

Kahnau, Pia; Guenther, Anja; Boon, Marcus Nicolaas; Terzenbach, Janine Denise; Hanitzsch, Eric; Lewejohann, Lars; Brust, Vera

doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2021.709775

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…It has also to be noted that we used the mice until a rather old age: In the sense of the 3R for these preliminary tests we wanted to “re-use” animals which had already participated in other experiments instead of ordering new ones. In general, repeatability of activity measures increases with the age of mice [43], and C57BL/6J mice performed well in visual detection, pattern discrimination and visual acuity tasks even until 24 months [44, 45]. Therefore, we argued that the use of older mice is feasible.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

In search of a conditioned place preference test to assess the severity of experimental procedures

Jaap,

Kahnau,

Lewejohann

2024

Preprint

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To compare the severity of experimental procedures and behavioural tests from an animal’s perspective novel methods are needed. In theory, one feasible approach could be the use of a conditioned place preference test (CPP). In this test the preference for a certain area in a test apparatus is associated with an experimental treatment. Traditionally, the CPP is used to investigate, for example, the effects of drugs. Here, we wanted to develop a protocol, which instead would enable us to compare the effects of different experimental procedures conducted with mice. Nine experiments with C57BL/6J mice were performed, varying the setup, the procedure duration, the neutral to be conditioned stimuli (NS → CS; visual and/or textual), and the unconditioned stimuli (US; fixation, food reward, or weighing) as well as the presentation order (NS before, after, or parallel to US). Unfortunately, none of the tested protocol resulted in a distinct preference. Moreover, even simple protocols using food reward as a treatment failed to result in a conditioned place preference. Overall, none of the protocols was sufficient to form a reliable association between NS and US. We have scrutinized the experimental setup in detail, and we cannot present a solution yet. However, hopefully, our findings will help to create a working CPP to compare the severity of different experimental procedures for mice.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

In search of a conditioned place preference test to assess the severity of experimental procedures

Jaap,

Kahnau,

Lewejohann

2024

Preprint

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“…One RFID-based system is the IntelliCage (IC, Figure 2 ). The IC itself serves as a home cage and enables the testing of learning and memory and has already been used in several studies (e.g., Krackow et al, 2010 ; Endo et al, 2011 ; Kiryk et al, 2020 ; Kahnau et al, 2021 ). The IC is embedded in a type IV cage and contains four independent conditioning corners.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The system can be set that the doors are always open, open once a corner is entered, or open only when nose pokes are performed on the nose poke sensor. There is also an air valve in each corner to punish any error (e.g., entering a wrong corner or nose poke at a wrong nose poke sensor) with an airpuff ( Voikar et al, 2018 ; Iman et al, 2021 ; Kahnau et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The IC has been used in many studies with different learning paradigms. A supposedly simple learning experiment within the IC is the place learning experiment, which can be used to investigate spatial short-term memory ( Mechan et al, 2009 ; Krackow et al, 2010 ; Voikar et al, 2018 ; Kahnau et al, 2021 ). Each mouse is assigned one of the four corners as the correct corner.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges and advanced concepts for the assessment of learning and memory function in mice

Lang,

Kahnau,

Hohlbaum

et al. 2023

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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The mechanisms underlying the formation and retrieval of memories are still an active area of research and discussion. Manifold models have been proposed and refined over the years, with most assuming a dichotomy between memory processes involving non-conscious and conscious mechanisms. Despite our incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms, tests of memory and learning count among the most performed behavioral experiments. Here, we will discuss available protocols for testing learning and memory using the example of the most prevalent animal species in research, the laboratory mouse. A wide range of protocols has been developed in mice to test, e.g., object recognition, spatial learning, procedural memory, sequential problem solving, operant- and fear conditioning, and social recognition. Those assays are carried out with individual subjects in apparatuses such as arenas and mazes, which allow for a high degree of standardization across laboratories and straightforward data interpretation but are not without caveats and limitations. In animal research, there is growing concern about the translatability of study results and animal welfare, leading to novel approaches beyond established protocols. Here, we present some of the more recent developments and more advanced concepts in learning and memory testing, such as multi-step sequential lockboxes, assays involving groups of animals, as well as home cage-based assays supported by automated tracking solutions; and weight their potential and limitations against those of established paradigms. Shifting the focus of learning tests from the classical experimental chamber to settings which are more natural for rodents comes with a new set of challenges for behavioral researchers, but also offers the opportunity to understand memory formation and retrieval in a more conclusive way than has been attainable with conventional test protocols. We predict and embrace an increase in studies relying on methods involving a higher degree of automatization, more naturalistic- and home cage-based experimental setting as well as more integrated learning tasks in the future. We are confident these trends are suited to alleviate the burden on animal subjects and improve study designs in memory research.

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“…Depending on size and weight of the animals, it is possible to keep up to 16 mice in the IntelliCage as one social group. Through radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and four conditioning corners, it is possible to study activity and learning behavior in social groups (Endo et al, 2011; Kahnau et al, 2021; Krackow et al, 2010; Voikar et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of an IntelliCage based Cognitive Bias Test for Mice

Kahnau

Jaap

Urmersbach

et al. 2022

Preprint

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The cognitive bias test is used to measure the emotional state of animals with regard to future expectations. Thus, the test offers a unique possibility to assess animal welfare with regard to housing and testing conditions of laboratory animals. So far, however, the performance of such a test is time consuming and requires the presence of an experimenter. Therefore, we developed an automated and home-cage based cognitive bias test based on the IntelliCage system. We present several developmental steps to improve the experimental design leading to a successful measurement of cognitive bias in group-housed female C57BL/6J mice. The automated and home-cage based test design allows to obtain individual data from group-housed mice, to test the mice in their familiar environment, and during their active phase. By connecting the test-cage to the home-cage via a gating system, the mice participated in the test on a self-chosen schedule, indicating high motivation to actively participate in the experiment. We propose that this should have a positive effect on the animals themselves as well as on the data. Unexpectedly, the mice showed an optimistic cognitive bias after enrichment was removed and additional restraining. An optimistic expectation of the future as a consequence of worsening environmental conditions, however, can also be interpreted as an active coping strategy in which a potential profit is sought to be maximized through a higher willingness to take risks.

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Lifetime Observation of Cognition and Physiological Parameters in Male Mice

Cited by 8 publications

References 87 publications

In search of a conditioned place preference test to assess the severity of experimental procedures

In search of a conditioned place preference test to assess the severity of experimental procedures

Challenges and advanced concepts for the assessment of learning and memory function in mice

Development of an IntelliCage based Cognitive Bias Test for Mice

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