Learning and memory test

Scheduled and controlled operant responses as learning and memory tests were examined with several pyrethroids, and the data showed that pyrethroids produced dose-related decreases of operant response rates [34-36]. However, interpretation of these data may be difficult due to their dependence upon the integrated performance of several neurobiological systems (e.g., motor coordination, sensory response, and crossmodal association) [21]. 

It is important that learning and memory tests selected for inclusion in screening batteries are sensitive to toxic effects. Tasks requiring long training even in normal animals may be unsuitable. The necessity of giving... 

At the present time we use a battery of three learning and memory tests. These are (1) Unlearned behavior is measured by activity (2) Ability for new learning is determined by comparing experimental and control animals on their time to learn to respond to a signal and retreat to a safe area thereby avoiding an electric shock and (3) Memory (or old learning) is measured by ability to press four levers in a given sequence for a receipt of a food reward. 

Raffaele, K.. Gilbert, M.. Crofton, K., Makris. S and Sette, W. (2(X)4). Learning and memory tests in developmental neurotoxicity testing A cross-laboratory comparison of control data, poster presentation No. 1342. 43rd annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, MD. Toxicologist 78(S-1), 276. 

Iversen (1991) stresses the need for some in vivo testing for neurotoxicity and emphasizes the value of sensitive behavioral tests. Behavioral tests are described for mice and rats, which provide measures of mood, posture, CNS excitation, motor coordination, sedation, exploration, responsiveness, learning, and memory function. Such assays can function as primary screens for neurotoxicity before adopting a stepwise scheme of in vitro tests to discover more about the initial site of action of neurotoxic compounds. It is argued that the requirement for animal testing can be drastically reduced by adopting structured in vitro protocols such as these. 

The role of CREB in learning and memory was first anticipated by screening Drosophila mutants in a learning and memory task in which flies were behaviorally tested... 

Initial evidence linking Hebb s coincidence detection rule to learning and memory. As the unique receptor in the brain with the coincidence-detection property, the NMDA receptor is an ideal candidate to gate the formation of memory at the synaptic level. Early observations demonstrated that infusion of NMDA receptor blockers into brain ventricles resulted in animals poor performance in the hidden-platform water maze. At first, this seemed to provide evidence for the role of hippocampal LTP in memory formation. Unfortunately, careful analyses revealed that poor performances in the water maze tests... 

Schellinck, H.M., Forestell, C.A. and LoLordo, V. M. (2001) A simple and reliable test of olfactory learning and memory in mice. Chemical Senses 26, 663-672. 

There is not a consensus about the procedures to use to test for effects on learning and memory. The two most commonly used techniques are the water-filled maze, which is preferred for measuring learning, and passive avoidance, which is preferred for measuring memory (see Buelke-Sam et al., 1985). Retention is tested in a repeat test conducted approximately 1 week later. 

The 1998 OECD test guidelines for the oral 28-/90-day studies (see Table 4.12) examine a number of simple nervous system endpoints, e.g., clinical observations of motor and autonomous nervous system activity, and histopathology of nerve tissue. It should be recognized that the standard 28-/90-day tests measure only some aspects of nervous system stmcture and function, while other aspects, e.g., learning and memory and sensory function is not or only superficially tested. Primarily the standard 28-/90-day tests are intended as a screening for neurotoxicity and depending on the results, further testing may be needed. 

Behavioural effects in the offspring can be evaluated by tests for locomotion, habituation, learning and memory. 

West PA (1990) Neimobehavioral studies of forced swimming. The role of learning and memory in the forced swim test ProgNeimopsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 14 863-875 WUlner P (1997) Validity, reliability and utility of the chronic mild stress model of depression a 10-year review and evaluation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 134 319-329 WUlner P, Muscat R, Papp M (1992) Chronic mUd stress-induced anhedonia a realistic animal model of depression. Neimosci Biobehav Rev 16 525-534 WUson JH (2000) A conspecific attenuates prolactin responses to open-field exposure in rats. Horm Behav 38 39-43... 

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