scholarly journals A new statistical method to analyze Morris Water Maze data using Dirichlet distribution

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1601
Author(s):  
Marianne Maugard ◽  
Cyrille Doux ◽  
Gilles Bonvento
Keyword(s):  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Dirichlet Distribution ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Normal Distributions ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
The Common

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) is a behavioral test widely used in the field of neuroscience to evaluate spatial learning memory of rodents. However, the interpretation of results is often impaired by the common use of statistical tests based on independence and normal distributions that do not reflect basic properties of the test data, such as the constant-sum constraint. In this work, we propose to analyze MWM data with the Dirichlet distribution, which describes constant-sum data with minimal hypotheses, and we introduce a statistical test based on uniformity (equal amount of time spent in each quadrant of the maze) that evaluates memory impairments. We demonstrate that this test better represents MWM data and show its efficiency on simulated as well as in vivo data. Based on Dirichlet distribution, we also propose a new way to plot MWM data, showing mean values and inter-individual variability at the same time, on an easily interpretable chart. Finally, we conclude with a perspective on using Bayesian analysis for MWM data.

scholarly journals A new statistical method to analyze Morris Water Maze data using Dirichlet distribution

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1601
Author(s):  
Marianne Maugard ◽  
Cyrille Doux ◽  
Gilles Bonvento
Keyword(s):  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Dirichlet Distribution ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Normal Distributions ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
The Common

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) is a behavioral test widely used in the field of neuroscience to evaluate spatial learning memory of rodents. However, the interpretation of results is often impaired by the common use of statistical tests based on independence and normal distributions that do not reflect basic properties of the test data, such as the constant-sum constraint. In this work, we propose to analyze MWM data with the Dirichlet distribution, which describes constant-sum data with minimal hypotheses, and we introduce a statistical test based on uniformity (equal amount of time spent in each quadrant of the maze) that evaluates memory impairments. We demonstrate that this test better represents MWM data and show its efficiency on simulated as well as in vivo data. Based on Dirichlet distribution, we also propose a new way to plot MWM data, showing mean values and inter-individual variability at the same time, on an easily interpretable chart. Finally, we conclude with a perspective on using Bayesian analysis for MWM data.

Edible Salt Plus D-Gal Accelerate Aging Progress

2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 326-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wan ◽  
Cheng Xi Wei ◽  
Jian Long Wu ◽  
Qing Hua Jin
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Accelerate Aging ◽  
Cox 2

Edible salt (ES) is also thought to exacerbate the symptoms of Alzheimer, however, the in vivo function of ES remains poorly understand. In this work, we investigated the phenomenon using the model of Alzheimer induced by D-gal. The behavious examination results exhibited that D-gal plus ES can weaken spatial memory function in the Morris water maze; the activities of T-SOD, GSH-Px and the CAT level in both hippocampus and cortex showed that D-gal plus ES decreased the expression of T-SOD and GSH-Px, but the expression of CAT increased, the protein expression determined in both of the hippocampus and cortex demonstrated that COX-2, iNOS, NFκ-B-p65-N proteins were significantly increased. It is possible that ES acts through several mechanisms, mediating a potential role in memory damage in mice. These results suggest that further study is necessary to evaluate the effect of salt on damage of memory and to determine the molecular mechanisms.

The research of electroconvulsive therapy effect on cognitive function in rats with depressive-like disorder formed by ultrasound

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S376-S376
Author(s):  
V. Ushakova ◽  
E. Zubkov ◽  
A. Morozova ◽  
A. Gorlova ◽  
D. Pavlov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Object Recognition Test ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
The Us ◽  
Negative Effect

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective method of resistant depression treatment. ECT activates neurotransmitter systems, increases neurotrophic factors production, induces neurogenesis. Nevertheless, ECT side effects, expressed as temporary amnesia, limit its application in clinical practice.The objective of our work was to estimate rat's memory after ECT in the behavioral test: “Object recognition”, “Morris water-maze”.The aim of the work was to research the effect of ECT on cognitive function in rats with depressive-like disorder and in normal rats.MethodsThe research was conducted with Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 41, 2 month age). Experimental stages:– control group (n = 10) compared to control + ECT group ([70 mA, 50 Hz, 500 μsec; 10 days] n = 10);– control group (n = 9) compared to group with depressive-like disorder, formed by ultrasound ([20–45 kHz; 21days] US, n = 6) and group with depressive-like disorder received ECT (n = 6).Memory was estimated in the “Object recognition” and “Morris water-maze” tests.Results(1) ECT did not decrease cognitive function in the “Object recognition” test in normal rats (P = 0.1217). Also, it did not lead to cognitive impairments in the “Morris water-maze” test: time of platform searching did not differ significantly from the control group (P = 0.8573).(2) ECT produced recovering effect on memory impairments of the US group in the “Object recognition” test (P = 0.0066). In the “Morris water-maze” ECT decreased time of platform searching by 7 times compared to the US group (P = 0.0025). That demonstrates the absence of ECT negative effect on rat's memory.ConclusionECT does not produce negative effect on cognitive function in rats with depressive-like disorder and even recovers memory impairments.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Abstract 146: Inducible Conditional Deletion of Dicer in Neural Progenitor Cells Induces Cognitive Impairment

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Lan Zhang ◽  
Michael Chopp ◽  
Wanlong Pan ◽  
Xiaoming Zhang ◽  
Xianshuang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Adult Neurogenesis ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Conditional Deletion

Background: MicroRNAs regulate adult neurogenesis. Conditional deletion of Dicer in neural stem cells (NSCs) causes postnatal death. The functional role of Dicer in adult neurogenesis remains unknown. Using mice with inducible conditional knock-down of Dicer in adult NSCs, we investigated the effect of ablation of Dicer on neurogenesis and cognitive function. Methods and Results: Young adult Ascl1-CreER:Dicerflox/flox mice (Dicer Cko, n= 32) were administered (i.p) with tamoxifen daily for 5 consecutive days and age matched wild-type litters (n= 30) were used as control. The mice were sacrificed at 2, 14 or 30 days after injection. Immunstaining was performed to detect phenotypes of subventricular zone (SVZ) cells. An array of cognitive tests including Morris Water Maze, odor-based novelty recognition, and sociability test were performed. Primary NPCs were isolated from the SVZ for vitro studies. Compared to control, Dicer CKo had 54% reduction of Dicer protein in NPCs. Cognitive tests showed that CKo spent 35% less time in the correct quadrant (p<0.05) of Morris Water Maze, significantly reduced time exploring new odor objects, 44 ±10% (p<0.05) in Cko animals compared with 77 ±10% in control, and significantly less time with other mice when they encountered a strange mouse during the sociability test (70 ± 9 vs 118 ±7 seconds, p<0.05). CKo significantly (p<0.05) reduced BrdU+ (16±2% vs 24±3%), and Ki67+ NPCs (25±3% vs 33±3%), doublecortin (DCX)+ neuroblasts (2± 0.6% vs 6± 1%), and Ng2+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs, 8±1% vs 12± 2%) in the SVZ. However, Dicer CKo animals exhibited a significant increase (p<0.05) of apoptotic NPCs (14±0.5% vs 10 ±0.3%). These in vivo findings were consistent with data from cultured NPCs. Dicer CKo also showed significant (p<0.05) reduction DCX+ neuroblasts in the rostral migratory stream and APC+ mature oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that inducible conditional ablation of Dicer in Ascl1 lineage NPCs impairs neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in adult SVZ niche and white matter, and induces cognitive impairment, indicating that Dicer in adult NPCs is essential for maintaining neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis and is important for cognitive function.

scholarly journals The Ameliorating Effect of Steamed and FermentedCodonopsis lanceolataon Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Bae Weon ◽  
Bo-Ra Yun ◽  
Jiwoo Lee ◽  
Min Rye Eom ◽  
Ji Seon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Passive Avoidance ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Ht22 Cells ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
Morris Water Maze Task

Codonopsis lanceolata(Campanulaceae) have been traditionally used to treat lung inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. The present study was performed to evaluate the cognitive-enhancing effects of steamed and fermentedC. lanceolatain scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. Cognitive abilities were determined by the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Mice orally received fermentedC. lanceolataextract at doses of 100, 300, or 500 mg/kg body weight. FermentedC. lanceolataextract (500 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) significantly shortened the escape latency times that were increased by scopolamine on the 4th day of trial sessions in the Morris water maze task. In addition, it exerted longer step-through latency times than those of the scopolamine-treated group in the passive avoidance test. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of fermentedC. lanceolataextract on glutamate-induced neurocytotoxicity were investigated in HT22 cells. FermentedC. lanceolataextract showed a relative protection ratio of 59.62% at 500 μg/mL. In conclusion, fermentedC. lanceolataextract ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairments, exerted neuroprotective effects, and improved activity compared to that found with originalC. lanceolata. Further study will be required to investigate the mechanisms underlying this cognitive-enhancing activity.

scholarly journals Ameliorating Effects of Ethanol Extract ofFructus mumeon Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Soo Kim ◽  
Won Kyung Jeon ◽  
Kye Wan Lee ◽  
Yu Hwa Park ◽  
Jung-Soo Han
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion ◽  
Cerebral Hypoperfusion ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
Morris Water Maze Task ◽  
Increased Activity

We previously reported thatFructus mume(F. mume) extract shows protective effects on memory impairments and anti-inflammatory effects induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Neurodegeneration of basal cholinergic neurons is also observed in the brain with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine whetherF. mumeextracts enhance cognitive function via the action of cholinergic neuron using a scopolamine-induced animal model of memory impairments.F. mume(50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) was administered to C57BL/6 mice for 14 days (days 1–14) and memory impairment was induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg), a muscarinic receptor antagonist for 7 days (days 8–14). Spatial memory was assessed using Morris water maze and hippocampal level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting. Mice that received scopolamine alone showed impairments in acquisition and retention in Morris water maze task and increased activity of AChE in the hippocampus. Mice that receivedF. mumeand scopolamine showed no scopolamine-induced memory impairment and increased activity of AChE. In addition, treatments ofF. mumeincreased ChAT expression in the hippocampus. These results indicated thatF. mumemight enhance cognitive function via action of cholinergic neurons.

Estimation of the rate of oxygen consumption of the common eider duck (Somateria mollissima), with some measurements of heart rate during voluntary dives

2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (18) ◽  
pp. 2819-2832 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Hawkins ◽  
P.J. Butler ◽  
A.J. Woakes ◽  
J.R. Speakman
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Common Eider ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rate Of Oxygen Consumption ◽  
The Common

The relationship between heart rate (f(H)) and rate of oxygen consumption (V(O2)) was established for a marine diving bird, the common eider duck (Somateria mollissima), during steady-state swimming and running exercise. Both variables increased exponentially with speed during swimming and in a linear fashion during running. Eleven linear regressions of V(O2) (ml kg(−1)min(−1)) on f(H) (beats min(−1)) were obtained: five by swimming and six by running the birds. The common regression was described by V(O2)=10.1 + 0.15f(H) (r(2)=0.46, N=272, P&lt;0.0001). The accuracy of this relationship for predicting mean V(O2) was determined for a group of six birds by recording f(H) continuously over a 2-day period and comparing estimated V(O2) obtained using the common regression with (i) V(O2) estimated using the doubly labelled water technique (DLW) and (ii) V(O2) measured using respirometry. A two-pool model produced the most accurate estimated V(O2) using DLW. Because of individual variability within mean values of V(O2) estimated using both techniques, there was no significant difference between mean V(O2) estimated using f(H) or DLW and measured V(O2) values (P&gt;0.2), although individual errors were substantially less when f(H) was used rather than DLW to estimate V(O2). Both techniques are, however, only suitable for estimating mean V(O2) for a group of animals, not for individuals.Heart rate and behaviour were monitored during a bout of 63 voluntary dives by one female bird in an indoor tank 1.7 m deep. Tachycardia occurred both in anticipation of and following each dive. Heart rate decreased before submersion but was above resting values for the whole of the dive cycle. Mean f(H) at mean dive duration was significantly greater than f(H) while swimming at maximum sustainable surface speeds. Heart rate was used to estimate mean V(O2) during the dive cycle and to predict aerobic dive limit (ADL) for shallow dives.

Distribution of in vivo insulin action in Pima Indians as mixture of three normal distributions

Diabetes ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1423-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bogardus ◽  
S. Lillioja ◽  
B. L. Nyomba ◽  
F. Zurlo ◽  
B. Swinburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Action ◽  
Pima Indians ◽  
Normal Distributions

CONTEXTUAL LEARNING IN THE MORRIS WATER MAZE

2018 ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Е.И. Захарова ◽  
З.И. Сторожева ◽  
А.Т. Прошин ◽  
М.Ю. Монаков ◽  
А.М. Дудченко
Keyword(s):  
Morris Water Maze ◽  
Choline Acetyltransferase ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Synaptic Membranes ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Synaptic Organization ◽  
Acetyltransferase Activity ◽  
Cholinergic Interneurons ◽  
Late Stages ◽  
Choline Acetyltransferase Activity

Цель - исследование холинергической синаптической организации функций обучения и памяти у крыс с разными когнитивными способностями. Методы. Крыс обучали на пространственной обстановочной модели в водном лабиринте Морриса. Через 2-3 сут. после окончания тренировок животных декапитировали, из неокортекса и гиппокампа с помощью центрифугирования выделяли субфракции синаптических мембран и синаптоплазмы легких и тяжелых синаптосом. В синаптических субфракциях определяли активность ключевого фермента холинергических нейронов холинацетилтрансферазы (ХАТ). Сравнивали результаты тестирования (время достижения скрытой платформы) и активность фермента у способных и неспособных к обучению крыс. Результаты. Были выявлены: 1) различия в холинергической организации исследованных функций в процессе обучения у способных и неспособных к обучению крыс, в том числе: положительные корреляции активности ХАТ в синапсах проекционных нейронов неокортекса у способных крыс со временем достижения платформы на промежуточных этапах обучения и в синапсах проекционных нейронов гиппокампа у неспособных крыс на позднем этапе обучения; разнонаправленные корреляции активности ХАТ в синапсах, предположительно, интернейронов гиппокампа (фракция тяжелых синаптосом) у способных и неспособных крыс на начальном и позднем этапах обучения; 2) индивидуальность холинергической организации функций на всех этапах обучения. Выводы. Полученные данные свидетельствуют в пользу представлений о специфике холинергической организации функций пространственного обстановочного обучения у крыс с выраженными и слабыми способностями к обучению, а также избирательной роли холинергических интернейронов гиппокампа на исходном этапе обучения и в консолидации памяти. In order to expand the knowledge about neuronal organization of the cognitive functions required for understanding plastic processes in the brain, we investigated the cholinergic synaptic organization of learning and memory functions in rats with different cognitive abilities. Methods. Rats were trained on a contextual situation model in the Morris water maze. At 2-3 days after the end of training, animals were decapitated, and subfractions of synaptic membranes and synaptoplasm of light and heavy synaptosomes were isolated from the cortex and the hippocampus by centrifugation. In synaptic subfractions, activity of the key enzyme of cholinergic neurons, choline acetyltransferase, was measured. We compared the test results (latent period to reach the hidden platform) and the enzyme activity in capable (lower quartile) and incapable of learning rats (upper quartile). Results. The following was found: 1) differences in the cholinergic organization of studied functions in capable and uncapable of learning rats during training, including: positive correlations of choline acetyltransferase activity in synapses of projection neurons in the cortex of capable rats with latency to reach the platform at intermediate stages of training and in the hippocampus ofincapable rats at late stages of training; multidirectional correlations of choline acetyltransferase activity in synapses of hippocampal, presumably, interneurons (heavy synaptosomes) in capable and incapable rats at early and late stages of training; 2) distinctness of the cholinergic organization of functions at all stages of training. Conclusions. The study demonstrated for the first time a specificity of the cholinergic organization of functions in spatial situational learning of rats with strong and poor learning abilities and a selective role of hippocampal cholinergic interneurons at the initial stage of learning and in memory consolidation.

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