title: Novel object recognition in the rat: a facile assay for cognitive function.
abstract: The rat novel object recognition (NOR) assay is a relatively high-throughput, robust, and sensitive procedure for evaluating compounds for cognition-enhancing activity. For the test, rats are given the opportunity to explore two identical objects for a predetermined period of time. After a delay, the animals are then presented with two objects to explore, one of which is the same as in the first exploration trial, the other a new object. Depending on the length of the delay between the two trials, the rats will either explore the novel object for a greater time period, indicating memory for the familiar object, or will explore the novel and familiar objects for the same amount of time, indicating a lack of recall or loss of memory for the familiar object presented during the initial trial. The protocol described in this unit can be used to evaluate the effects of a compound on the short-term/working memory of adult male rats following a 24-hr inter-trial interval.
authors.affiliation: Discovery Research, Cephalon, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mathiasen
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DiCamillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents