title: A novel version of the 8-arm radial maze: effects of cerebral ischemia on learning and memory.
abstract: A novel version of the 8-arm radial maze task was developed to quantify spatial learning and memory in rats subjected to transient cerebral ischemia (TCI) using the 4-VO model. This maze uses the rat's natural behavior of avoiding open, illuminated areas, and preference for a darkened, enclosed shelter. Ischemic rats were required to escape from the central area into the darkened goal box. Ischemia was induced before or after training to examine its influence on acquisition and retention of cognition, respectively. During the acquisition test, latency of ischemic rats to find the goal box, and working memory performance were significantly impaired (P < 0.005-0.001). The performance for retention of cognition was also disrupted by ischemia (P < 0.05-0.01). There was no correlation between the degree of CA1 pyramidal cell loss and behavioral deficits. The present data reveal that the aversive version of the 8-arm radial maze is sensitive to the cognitive effects of ischemia. Since it excludes the need for food deprivation or immersion of the animal in water, the method should provide a sensitive and more practical behavioral test with which to evaluate the effects of ischemic brain damage on cognition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Health Science Center, State University of Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790, CEP 87020-900 Paraná, Maringá, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Alexandre
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Paganelli
authors.forename: Arcélio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benetolli
authors.forename: Keli Carina Miltus
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Lourival Augusto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cestari-Junior
authors.forename: Luiz António
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Favero Filho
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Milani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002452:Cell Count; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology