title: Spatial learning and memory, maze running strategies and cholinergic mechanisms in two inbred strains of mice.
abstract: The acquisition process of the radial maze task was studied in two inbred strains of mice, C57BL/6 and DBA/2. A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of performance was performed and the pretest level of activity was measured. The results showed a significant correlation between activity and performance since the highly active C57BL/6 mice exhibited better performance of the radial maze task than the less active DBA/2 mice. Moreover, for correct trials, strain-dependent maze-running strategies were observed: while both strains displayed about the same percentage of clockwise and spatial strategies, it was observed that among the spatial strategies C57BL/6 used a larger number of different correct solutions. Subsequently, the effect of scopolamine administration on working memory processes was assessed in sequential and discrete trials. A different reactivity of each strain to anti-cholinergic treatment was found in discrete trials since only DBA/2 mice were impaired. The effect of scopolamine is discussed in relation to the different models of information processing involved in learning and memorizing the experimental rule.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012601:Scopolamine