[Studies on the development of water maze-learning ability in rats. (1) Correlation between learning ability and brain weight in growth periods (author's transl].
In order to determine the appropriate age for the water filled multiple T-maze test. Wistar-Imamichi strain rats (SPF) 3 to 10 weeks of age were given daily 3 repeat trials on three consecutive days. Learning ability was evaluated on the basis of daily decrease of errors in the water maze test. Elapsed time to reach the goal, errors and variations of these decreased with progressing trials regardless of age and sex. Comparing to the rats under 4 weeks of age, errors in the 3rd day trials became constant at lower level in rats over 5 weeks of age. These results suggest that the learning ability of rat may reach adulthood by 5 weeks of age. Brain weight also attained a plateau at 4-5 weeks of age in both sexes of rats.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats / Q000254:growth & development*; D011930:Reaction Time