Barnes maze

Hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory were assessed using the Barnes maze. The Barnes maze was purchased through Anymaze (Catalog # 60170) and consists of a round arena with 20 holes around the periphery. This test took place over 5 days during which a mouse was trained to reach a target hole (1 out of 20 total holes in the table). All the holes have an insert except for the target hole which has an escape box attached to it. On the first day, the mice underwent a habituation trial during which the mouse was placed in a transparent beaker in the center of the table for 30 s. Then the beaker containing the mouse was slowly dragged to the target hole. The mouse was allowed up to 3 min to enter the escape box on its own before being placed in the escape box. The mouse was allowed to remain in the hole for 1 min. The mice were returned to their home cage for 30 min before the first training trial (Trial 1). Trial 2 and 3 took place on the second day, trial 4 and 5 took place on the third day, and the probe trial took place on the fifth day. During each trial the mouse was placed in a opaque 4″ diameter cylinder with a lid in the center of the table for 15 s before the mouse was released and allowed to explore the maze for up to 3 min or until the mouse entered the escape box. The mouse was allowed to remain in the escape box for 1 min undisturbed. During the probe trial, the escape box was replaced with an insert.