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KMID : 0613820160260020234
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Journal of Life Science
2016 Volume.26 No. 2 p.234 ~ p.240
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Development of New Analytical Method Evaluating Working Memory on Y Maze
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Gong Da-Young
Choi Yun-Sik
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Abstract
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The Y-maze is widely used to test working memory in behavioral science. For this purpose, spontaneous alternation behavior is monitored, and an increased percentage of spontaneous alternation is regarded as enhanced working memory. However, in some cases, the percentage of spontaneous alternation does not accurately reflect the extent of working memory in rodents. To complement the shortcomings of this measure, we developed a new method to evaluate working memory on the Y-maze. This is done by defining all spontaneous alternation cases and Pi, the probability that the rodent achieved spontaneous alternation from each alternation case. After all Pi-values acquired in each animal are summarized, the result is considered as entropy. To validate the new analytical method, mice were raised under either control or an enriched environmental condition for 10 weeks, and working memory behavior on the Y-maze was monitored. The results showed that the new analytical method successfully reproduced significance. In addition, the new method turned out to be more accurate than measurement of the percentage of spontaneous alternation, meaning that, to get higher entropy, alternation should be recorded in all arms and directions. Together, these data indicate that the new analytical method is a useful supplement to the method that compares the percentage of spontaneous alternation, and thus is a good tool with which to evaluate working memory in rodents.
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KEYWORD
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Algorithm, rodent, spontaneous alternation, working memory, Y-maze
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