Morris water maze test

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The Morris Water Maze is used to test hippocampal-dependent learning including acquisition of spatial memory, long-term memory, and long-term spatial memory. It is also used to test general learning (non-spatial). Areas involving learning or memory function include:

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Stress
  • Traumatic Head Injury & Stroke
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Aging & Dementia
  • Women's Health
  • Developmental Disorders
  • Sleep Disorders

Sample testing protocol

 
Study design:

For phenotyping, 6 male and 6 female test mice, plus matching wild-type (WT) controls, will be transferred to The Jackson Laboratory In Vivo Services and allowed to acclimate for one week. They will be housed 3 per cage with ad libitum access to standard chow and water.

  • Morris Water Maze acquisition of spatial memory test (5 to 15 days of testing with up to 5 runs per day, each test consisting of 2 runs)
  • A run begins with mouse placed in pool of opaque water containing a hidden rescue platform and ends when the mouse climbs onto the platform
  • Outcomes & Analysis
    1. Latency to platform (max=60 seconds)
    2. Swim distance
    3. Average swim speed
    4. Exploration pattern

Acquisition of Spatial Memory Test

Day -7 to 0 1 2 3 4 5
Activity Acclimation 1-5 tests,
2 runs each		 1-5 tests,
2 runs each		 1-5 tests,
2 runs each		 1-5 tests,
2 runs each		 1-5 tests,
2 runs each

Representative results:

Genetic model of cognitive deficit: Scrambler (STOCK A/A-Dab1scm/J, 002043)

Scrambler mice have a mutation in the dab1 gene resulting in, among other brain abnormalities, a major disorganization of the hippocampus. As can be seen from the data below, the Morris Water Maze testing allows for the discrimination of wild type and mutant based on memory acquisition and retention.

Acquisition of spatial memory: Testing of Scrambler or wild-type female mice for acquisition of spatial memory over 15 days.

Testing of memory: Spatial probe trial of Scrambler or wild-type female mice for retention of memory at 6 and 12 days post-training.

Other procedures to consider for your study:

Dosing Dosing can be performed IP, IV, SC, PO, high pressure tail vein, osmotic minipumps (SC or IP), SC drug pellets, in the food or water
Spatial Probe Trial

This optional protocol is performed the day after the acquisition phase for up to five runs for the one test. The mouse is placed in the same pool of water with the platform removed, and the percentage of time spent in each quadrant of the pool is analyzed

Reversal Test for Working Memory

This optional protocol is performed the day after the acquisition phase for up to five runs for the one test. The mouse is placed in the same pool of water with the platform moved to the opposite quadrant. The latency to the platform in the new location and exploration patterns are analyzed.

Motor Function/Activity Locomotor activity assessed to rule out confounding motor impairment
Terminal Blood Chemistry For pharmacokinetics
Histology and Slides Slide preparation with interpretation for phenotyping

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