Mouse Cognition-Related Behavior in the Open-Field: Emergence of Places of Attraction

Abstract

Spatial memory is often studied in the Morris Water Maze, where the animal's spatial orientation has been shown to be mainly shaped by distal visual cues. Cognition-related behavior has also been described along “well-trodden paths”—spatial habits established by animals in the wild and in captivity reflecting a form of spatial memory. In the present study we combine the study of Open Field behavior with the study of behavior on well-trodden paths, revealing a form of locational memory that appears to correlate with spatial memory. The tracked path of the mouse is used to examine the dynamics of visiting behavior to locations. A visit is defined as either progressing through a location or stopping there, where progressing and stopping are computationally defined. We then estimate the probability of stopping at a location as a function of the number of previous visits to that location, i.e., we measure the effect of visiting history to a location on stopping in it. This can be regarded as an estimate of the familiarity of the mouse with locations. The recently wild-derived inbred strain CZECHII shows the highest effect of visiting history on stopping, C57 inbred mice show a lower effect, and DBA mice show no effect. We employ a rarely used, bottom-to-top computational approach, starting from simple kinematics of movement and gradually building our way up until we end with (emergent) locational memory. The effect of visiting history to a location on stopping in it can be regarded as an estimate of the familiarity of the mouse with locations, implying memory of these locations. We show that the magnitude of this estimate is strain-specific, implying a genetic influence. The dynamics of this process reveal that locations along the mouse's trodden path gradually become places of attraction, where the mouse stops habitually.

Pathogenic SYNGAP1 Mutations Impair Cognitive Development by Disrupting Maturation of Dendritic Spine Synapses

“…5F). Exploratory behavior in this paradigm is guided by several factors, including spatial cognition (Dvorkin et al, 2008), and hyperactivity is associated with developmental hippocampal dysfunction (Daenen et al, 2002). Together, these data link early maturation of dendritic spine synapses and E/I imbalance to the onset of behavioral abnormalities in neonatal SynGAP Het mice.…”

Scale invariance in the dynamics of spontaneous behavior

“…2 A-E were recorded at "steady state" after the initial habituation period lasting at least 2 wk. Upon initial exposure to a new environment, animals display higher levels of activity and, through the process of exploration, establish their location preferences (22). Distinction between the initial habituation phase and the subsequent steady-state behavior is commonly made in behavioral analysis.…”

Modeling anxiety using adult zebrafish: A conceptual review

“…Furthermore, robust anxiogenic endocrine and genomic responses, similar to those seen in humans (Schulkin et al 1998; Yehuda et al 1993; Boulom et al 2002; Zhang et al 1992) and rodents (Yau et al 1997; Roy et al 2001; Hale et al 2008; Kung et al 2010), have also been established in zebrafish (Cachat et al 2010a; Williams et al 2011 (in press); Wong et al 2010a; Baraban et al 2005; Barcellos et al 2007). Additionally, like rodents (Dvorkin et al 2008; Eilam and Golani 1989), fish form spatial memories (Burt de Perera 2004b; Riedel 1998), and use them to orient in novel environments, establishing “safe zones” (homebases) where they frequently dwell and return to (Stewart et al 2010c; Stewart et al 2010d; Rosemberg et al 2011). Moreover, zebrafish also display a robust habituation responses (Wong et al 2010b), which in addition to cognitive map formation (O’keefe 1978), may represent deep neurobiological constructs, such as adaptive processing of sensory information (Eisenstein and Eisenstein 2006).…”