title: Spontaneous object recognition memory is maintained following transformation of global geometric properties.
abstract: Studies of spontaneous behavior to assess memory are widespread, but often the relationships of objects to contexts and spatial locations are poorly defined. We examined whether object-location memory was maintained following global, but not local, changes to the geometric shape of an arena. Rats explored two trial-unique objects in a distinctively shaped arena before being exposed to two identical copies of one of these objects in a different shape in a different physical location. Rats preferentially explored objects that were novel in relation to their local geometric context rather than identifying both locations as novel in the global geometric context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom. steven.poulter@durham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Poulter
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kosaki
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Easton
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGregor
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors