The Maze Book, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2015 Theories, Practice, and Protocols for Testing Rodent Cognition Neuromethods Series, Vol. 94

This vibrant collection delivers a laboratory roadmap of testing cognition in the rodent. While rodents and mazes are the main center and focus of this book, many aspects in the field of learning and memory are discussed and detailed, spanning from the molecular to the human, with every chapter delivering a comprehensive review of historical milestones in order to provide context for past discoveries, new findings, and future studies. Didactic foundations, operational definitions, and theory, as well as practical experimental and apparatus set-up, data analysis, and interpretation instructions are included in the first part of the book, while part two contains step-by-step protocols, troubleshooting, and tips from experts in the field.

Part I: Why? Foundations of Rodent Learning and Memory: Milestones, Mazes, and Mechanisms

1. Rodent Mazes and Memory: Continuing the Search for the Engram

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

2. The Mazes

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson, Jill M. Daniel, and Stephanie Koebele

3. The Watermaze

            Richard G.M. Morris

4. Behavioral Consequences of Early Disruption and Injury to the Developing Brain: Studying Rodent Models

            Dongnhu T. Truong and R. Holly Fitch

5. Insights into Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Coupling Neurophysiological and Behavioral Approaches

            Lesley A. Schimanski and Carol A. Barnes

6. Organization and Structure of Brain Systems Supporting Memory

            Jena B. Hales and Robert E. Clark

7. Pharmacologically Manipulating Learning and Memory

            Ashley M. Fortress and Karyn M. Frick

8. Stress and Spatial Maze Performance in the Rat

            Sara B. Taylor, Cheryl D. Conrad, and M. Foster Olive

9. Genetically Modified Rodent Models: A New Generation of Translational Cognitive Science

            Salvatore Oddo and Masashi Kitazawa

10. Epigenetics of Cognition and Neurodegenerative Disorders

            Paul Coleman, Matthew Huentelman, and Travis Dunckley

11. The Importance of Incorporating Both Sexes and Embracing Hormonal Diversity When Conducting Rodent Behavioral Assays

            Sarah E. Mennenga and Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

12. A Primer of Methods in Biobehavioral Research: Improving a Study’s Design, Analysis, and Write Up

            Joshua S. Talboom, Stephen G. West, and Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

13. Optimal Guidelines for Monitoring and Maintaining Rodent Health for Behavioral Research: What’s Right with My Rodent?

            Joanne Tetens-Woodring

Part II: How? The Mazes: Protocols and Practice to Test Rodent Cognition

14. General Water-Escape Maze Testing Necessities and Guidelines for Rodents           

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

15. Water Radial-Arm Maze: 4 out of 8 Arms Platformed Protocol for Rodents

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

16. Water Radial-Arm Maze: 7 Out of 8 Arms Platformed Protocol for Rodents

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

17. Land Radial-Arm Maze: 8 Out of 8 Arms Baited with Food Protocol for Rodents

            Jill M. Daniel

18. Delayed Match to Sample Protocol for Rodents

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

19. Morris Maze Protocol for Rodents

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

20. The Visible Platform Protocol for Rodents

            Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson

Provides a laboratory roadmap for testing cognition in rodents with a focus on a wide variety of mazes

Includes step-by-step protocols for specific maze types, essential for reproducible results

Contains key background and theory to accompany the practical techniques

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras