Spatial Recognition Test Research Articles

Cognitive changes and circadian timekeeping disturbances in aging

AbstractBackgroundCognitive changes in aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are often accompanied by pronounced disturbances of circadian timekeeping, especially sleep‐wake cycle. Normal circadian timekeeping has an important impact on human health and performance by providing the temporal coordination of internal processes to insure their occurrence at the “right time” relative to each other and to the external environment. Aging of the rodent circadian system is characterized by changes comparable to those in human aging and AD. Common disturbances in the sleep‐wake rhythms of aged rodents include alterations in the light‐dark entrainment of this circadian rhythm. However, not all aged rodents show these changes, demonstrating the variability characteristic of human aging in pre‐dementia. The aging population also shows variability in onset and magnitude of cognitive impairment, but the relationship between these deficits with circadian rhythm disturbances has not yet been identified.MethodInitially, we tested young (3‐5 mon) and aged (18‐24 mon) C57Bl6 mice on wheel running activity continuously for 30‐40 days for circadian rhythm of locomotor activity. We then assessed learning and memory in the same mice using the Barnes maze task. Next, we wanted to determine if behavioral deficits occurred earlier in the lifespan (middle age) and whether changes in circadian activity occur prior to cognitive impairment.ResultAged mice were significantly impaired in all measures of activity rhythm entrainment and cognition. Interestingly, we observed a gender‐specific relationship between cognitive impairment in the Barnes maze and activity onset in aged female mice (20‐24 mon). Changes in activity rhythm entrainment were observed as early as 12‐14 months in middle aged mice. We also tested these mice for cognition (Barnes maze, novel and spatial recognition tests, 3 chamber sociability test) and motor behavior (rotarod, open field and digigait).ConclusionThis data will be the foundation of our model to further understand the relationship between circadian synchronization and age‐related cognitive impairment, and to probe possible mechanisms of action.

Understanding the Effects of Urban Form and Navigational Aids on Wayfinding Behaviour and Spatial Cognition

In an age in which navigators can simply follow the represented route on their smartphone to get to their desired destination, is there any need for signage and urban legibility? This study aims to explore the effects of urban form and different navigational aids on visitors’ spatial cognition and wayfinding behavior. Thirty-eight participants were placed in one of three groups: i) a paper map only; ii) smartphones with the Google Maps app; and, iii) no navigational aids (local signage only). Participants were asked to find six pre-determined tourist destinations in central Brisbane, Australia, while they were thinking aloud. Post-task tests showed that participants in the group without personal navigational aids were more successful in landmark recognition than map users. Those who used paper maps performed best in route accuracy and street-naming tests. However, across all the spatial recognition tests, the GPS group was systematically neither the best nor the worst in terms of acquired spatial knowledge. The findings have the potential to assist urban designers and navigational mapping producers to design more legible urban spaces and more effective wayfinding tools.

Oral Administration of the Food-Derived Hydrophilic Antioxidant Ergothioneine Enhances Object Recognition Memory in Mice.

The enhancement of learning and memory through food-derived ingredients is of great interest to healthy individuals as well as those with diseases. Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a hydrophilic antioxidant highly contained in edible golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus cornucopiae var. citrinopileatus), and systemically absorbed by its specific transporter, carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4. This study aims to examine the possible enhancement of object recognition memory by oral administration of ERGO in normal mice. Novel object recognition test, spatial recognition test, LC-MS/MS, Golgi staining, neuronal culture, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and quantitative RT-PCR were utilized. After oral administration of ERGO (at a dose of 1-50 mg/kg) three times per week for two weeks in ICR mice, the novel object recognition test revealed a longer exploration time for the novel object than for the familiar object. After oral administration of ERGO, the spatial recognition test also revealed a longer exploration time for the spatially moved object than the unmoved one in mice fed ERGO-free diet. The discrimination index was significantly higher in the ERGO-treated group than the control in both behavioral tests. ERGO administration led to an increase in its concentration in the plasma and hippocampus. The systemic concentration reached was relevant to those found in humans after oral ERGO administration. Golgi staining revealed that ERGO administration increased the number of matured spines in the hippocampus. Exposure of cultured hippocampal neurons to ERGO elevated the expression of the synapse formation marker, synapsin I. This elevation of synapsin I was inhibited by the tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor, K252a. Treatment with ERGO also increased the expression of neurotrophin-3 and -5, and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin in hippocampal neurons. Oral intake of ERGO may enhance object recognition memory at its plasma concentration achievable in humans, and this enhancement effect could occur, at least in part, through the promotion of neuronal maturation in the hippocampus.

Implementation of Computer Bases Assessment on Students’ Aptitude Using Online and Multimedia Test for Talent Mapping

Each individual has different aptitudes and personalities. As a very important role, schools can map students’ interests according to students’ talents and interests. This is very important because proper placement of interest can support students’ academic ability. This study aims to create a standard measurement that can be used for mapping and tracking students’ talent in high school becomes easier and measurable. There are 5 aspects related to aptitudes in this research such as visual reasoning test, numerical reasoning test, verbal analysis test, spatial recognition test and vocabulary test. The Rasch model was used to analyze the difficulty level of the item, and from the results of the study showed that the difficulty level of the item was in the normal distribution at the interval - 4.5735 to 6.4989. By using the Google Form tool, students’ aptitudes tests are developed and presented in varied form and can provide test result information automatically. The use of Google Form has several advantages, such as (1) the test does not have to be done simultaneously at the same time and place, (2) the item can be made more interesting because it can use images and audio visual facilities and (3) there is no need to duplicate the test paper since it is computer-based tests to minimize test administration.

The Development of Students’ Aptitude Test in Online and Multimedia Based Interests Group Selection

Each individual has different aptitudes and personalities. Schools have a very important rules to map students’ interests according to students’ talents and interests. This is very important because proper placement of interest can support students’ academic ability. This study aims to create a standard measurement that can be used for mapping and tracking students’ talent in high school becomes easier and measurable. There are 5 aspects related to aptitudes in this research such as visual reasoning test, numerical reasoning test, verbal analysis test, spatial recognition test and vocabulary test. The Rasch model was used to analyze the difficulty level of the item, and from the results of the study showed that the difficulty level of the item was in the normal distribution at the interval -3.57 to 4.5. By using the Google Form tool, students’ aptitudes tests are developed and presented in varied form and can provide test result information automatically. The use of Google Form has several advantages, such as (1) the test does not have to be done simultaneously at the same time and place, (2) the item can be made more interesting because it can use images and audio visual facilities and (3) there is no need to duplicate the test paper since it is computer-based tests to minimize test administration.

Hydrolyzed Salmon Milt Extract Enhances Object Recognition and Location Memory Through an Increase in Hippocampal Cytidine Nucleoside Levels in Normal Mice.

Salmon milt extract contains high levels of nucleic acids and has antioxidant potential. Although salmon milt extract is known to improve impaired brain function in animal models with brain disease, its effects on learning and memory ability in healthy subjects is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effect of hydrolyzed salmon milt extract (HSME) on object recognition and object location memory under normal conditions. A diet containing 2.5% HSME induced normal mice to devote more time to exploring novel and moved objects than in exploring familiar and unmoved objects, as observed during novel object recognition and spatial recognition tests, respectively. A diet containing 2.5% nucleic acid fraction purified from HSME also induced similar effects, as measured by the same behavioral tests. This suggests that the nucleic acids may be a functional component contributing to the effects of HSME on brain function. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that gene expression of the markers for brain parenchymal cells, including neural stem cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, in the hippocampi of mice on an HSME diet was higher than that in mice on a control diet. Oral administration of HSME increased concentrations of cytosine, cytidine, and deoxycytidine in the hippocampus. Overall, ingestion of HSME may enhance object recognition and object location memory under normal conditions in mice, at least, in part, via the activation of brain parenchymal cells. Our results thus indicate that dietary intake of this easily ingestible food might enhance brain function in healthy individuals.

Spatial recognition test: A novel cognition task for assessing topographical memory in mice.

Dysfunction in topographical memory is a core feature of several neurological disorders. There is a large unmet medical need to address learning and memory deficits as a whole in central nervous system disease. There are considerable efforts to identify pro-cognitive compounds but current methods are either lengthy or labour intensive. Our test used a two chamber apparatus and is based on the preference of rodents to explore novel environments. It was used firstly to assess topographical memory in mice at different retention intervals (RI) and secondly to investigate the effect of three drugs reported to be beneficial for cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, namely: donepezil, memantine and levetiracetam. Animals show good memory performance at all RIs tested under four hours. At the four-hour RI, animals show a significantly poorer memory performance which can be rescued using donepezil, memantine and levetiracetam. Using this test we established and validated a spatial recognition paradigm to address topographical memory in mice by showing a decremental time-induced forgetting response and reversing this decrease in performance using pharmacological tools. The spatial recognition test differs from more commonly used visuospatial laboratory tests in both throughput capability and potentially neuroanatomical substrate. This test has the potential to be used to assess cognitive performance in transgenic animals, disease models and to screen putative cognitive enhancers or depressors.

Viewpoint-related gender differences in a spatial recognition task

The efficacy of active virtual reality based tasks to measure spatial memory is well known. Sometimes, studies have used recognition tests to assess memory retrieval. This process requires comparing the sample image with the representation built in the brain about the experimental context. The perspective of the image presented could also have an important role during testing. In this study we develop a new spatial task based on videos and a spatial recognition test. Participants had to watch four videos where they had to remember one or three box locations. After, they had to decide whether or not any of the pictures shown in the spatial recognition task corresponded to correct spatial positions shown in the video. Images could be taken from similar or different viewpoints. Participants acquired the task in few trials and men performed better than women when deciding about spatial perspectives in the high demanding task. This approximation could be suitable for reducing the use of peripheral devices, decreasing the technological demands and simplifying the combination of other techniques like fMRI.

Neurochemical and behavioral effects of chronic unpredictable stress.

Chronic stress can influence behaviors associated with medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) function, such as cognition and emotion regulation. Dopamine in the mPFC is responsive to stress and modulates its behavioral effects. The current study tested whether exposure to 10 days of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) altered the effects of acute elevation stress on dopamine release in the mPFC and on spatial recognition memory. Male rats previously exposed to CUS or nonstressed controls were tested behaviorally, underwent microdialysis to assess mPFC dopamine levels or underwent blood sampling for corticosterone analysis. Dopamine in the mPFC significantly increased in both groups during acute elevation stress compared with baseline levels, but the level was attenuated in CUS rats compared with controls. Control rats exposed to elevation stress immediately before the T-maze test showed impaired performance, whereas CUS rats did not. No group differences were observed in general motor activity or plasma corticosterone levels following elevation stress. The present results indicate that prior exposure to this CUS procedure reduced dopamine release in the mPFC during acute elevation stress and prevented the impairment of performance on a spatial recognition test following an acute stressor. These findings may contribute to an understanding of the complex behavioral consequences of stress.

Functional cooperation between the hippocampal subregions and the medial septum in unreinforced and reinforced spatial memory tasks

Anatomical connections between the medial septum (MS) and hippocampus (Hipp) via the fimbria-fornix suggest that functional cooperation between these structures may be important for the acquisition and use of spatial reference memories. The present study examined the extent to which this was true for both an unreinforced learning task (object exploration task) and a reinforced learning task (Morris water maze task). In Experiment 1, we compared the performance of MS/Hipp contralateral- and MS/Hipp ipsilateral-lesioned rats. MS/Hipp contralateral-lesioned rats exhibited deficient performance in both the object exploration and Morris water maze tasks. In Experiment 2, we examined the task performance of MS/CA1 contralateral-, MS/CA1 ipsilateral-, MS/CA3 contralateral- and MS/CA3 ipsilateral-lesioned rats. Contralateral MS/CA3 and MS/CA1 lesions were respectively associated with deficient performance at the spatial recognition test and object recognition test in the object exploration task. None of the lesioned rats performed deficiently in the Morris water maze task. These results indicate the importance of spatial reference memory of a functional cooperation between the MS and Hipp as a whole, irrespective of reward contingency. In contrast, functional cooperation between the MS and each of CA1 and CA3 played an important role in the performance of the unreinforced voluntary task, but not in the reinforced task. Further, the functional cooperation of both MS/CA3 and MA/CA1 were important in the spatial reference memory with the unreinforced task.

空間記憶におけるラットの海馬と視床前核群の海馬采‐脳弓を経由した機能的連携

This study examined whether the cooperation of the hippocampus, and anterior thalamus via the fimbria-fornix is involved in the spatial memory. We compared the effect of contralateral lesions (Contra) with ipsilateral lesions (Ipsi) of the fimbria-fornix and anterior thalamus on the performance of an object exploration task and the Morris water maze task. If the hippocampus and anterior thalamus take part in a same functional system via fornix, the performance of Contra group will be more disruptive than that of Ipsi group. In the object exploration task, Contra and Ipsi groups did not differ from Control group in the performance of object recognition test. However, the performance of Contra group was significantly impaired in the spatial recognition test, compared with two other groups. In the Morris water maze task, only Contra group showed deficits in spatial learning but not the Ipsi group. These results indicate that contralateral, but not ipsilateral lesion caused deficits in spatial memory, supporting the notion that the functional cooperation of hippocampus and anterior thalamus via fornix is vital for spatial memory.

Early detection of isolated memory deficits in the elderly: the need for more sensitive neuropsychological tests.

Early detection of cognitive decline in the elderly is important because this may precede progression to Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to see whether sensitive neuropsychological tests could identify pre-clinical cognitive deficits and to characterize the cognitive profile of a subgroup with poor memory. A neuropsychological test battery was administered to a community-dwelling sample of 155 elderly volunteers who were screened with CAMCOG at enrolment (mean age 74.7 years). The battery included tests of episodic memory. semantic and working memory, language and processing speed. Episodic memory test z scores below 1 S.D. from the cohort mean identified 25 subjects with non-robust' memory performance. This group was compared to the remaining 'robust memory' group with a General Linear Model controlling for age, IQ, education and gender. Test performance was significantly different in all tests for episodic and semantic memory, but not in tests for working memory, processing speed and language. CANTAB paired associates learning and spatial recognition tests identified the highest percentages of those in the 'non-robust memory group. Processing speed partialled out the age effect on memory performance for the whole cohort, but the 'non-robust memory' group's performance was not associated with age or processing speed. Sensitive neuropsychological tests can detect performance below the norm in elderly people whose performance on MMSE and CAMCOG tests is well within the normal range. Age-related decline in memory performance in a cohort of the elderly may be largely due to inclusion within the cohort of individuals with undetected pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease or isolated memory impairment.

Patterns of cognitive ageing.

Neuroanatomical evidence suggests that normal ageing affects some brain areas, and the "local" functions they support, earlier and more severely than others. Changes appear to be especially marked in the hippocampus, temporal association and prefrontal cortex. Evidence from classical neuropsychological studies suggests that these brain areas are associated with memory and "executive" functions, respectively. We may, therefore, expect that tests purported to measure these functions may be disproportionately affected in old age and that there may be evidence for some separation of these functions even within neurologically normal populations. What we also know, however, is that measures reflecting general fluid ability also decline with increasing age, so any hypothesis relating to specific "local" deficits must acknowledge and account for any "globar" changes in performance. Volunteers (n = 162) aged between 60-80 years who had completed the Cattell and Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CCF) completed the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB). The CANTAB has been administered to several patient populations and tests from the battery have been shown to be sensitive to damage in both temporal and prefrontal areas (Owen et al., 1996). Results from the test battery showed that both the Paired Associate Learning and Spatial Recognition tests were the most sensitive to normal ageing even when CCF is accounted for. In contrast, this performance on the "executive" tests, shown to be sensitive to frontal lobe damage was not related to age, and CCF scores predicted performance on these tests. These results are discussed in relation to theories of cognitive ageing and patterns of change and in relation to several important methodological and theoretical considerations for the study of executive function.

Slow-Release Caffeine: A New Response to the Effects of a Limited Sleep Deprivation

The aim of this study is to assess the interest of the intake of a new galenic form of caffeine called "slow-release" caffeine (SR caffeine) during a decrease of vigilance due to a limited sleep deprivation. The controlled method used compared three doses of SR caffeine (150, 300 and 600 mg) with a placebo. Tests were performed 2, 9 and 13 hours after each treatment. Wakefulness level was assessed subjectively through questionnaires and analog visual scales, and objectively with the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. Performance level was also assessed regularly with an attention test, a grammatical reasoning test, a spatial recognition test, a mathematical processing test, a visual tracking test, a memory search test, and a dual task. The motor activity was evaluated by wrist actimeter and safety of treatment was observed by regular clinical examination. NA. Twenty-four young and healthy volunteers (12 men and 12 women) participated in a 32-hour sleep deprivation. NA. The results show a significant effect of slow-release caffeine vs. placebo, and on vigilance and performance when subjects became tired. The effects of SR caffeine lasted 13 hours after treatment. SR caffeine 300 and 600 mg are efficacious doses but the optimal dose (maximum effect without any side effects) for both men and women is after all 300 mg. Globally, there is no difference between placebo and caffeine during the recovery night period. SR caffeine (300 mg) seems to be an efficient and safety substance to maintain a good level of vigilance and performance during limited sleep deprivation.

Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial–temporal reasoning

Predictions from a structured cortical model led us to test the hypothesis that music training enhances young children1s spatial-temporal reasoning. Seventy-eight preschool children participated in this study. Thirty-four children received private piano keyboard lessons, 20. children received private computer lessons, and 24 children provided other controls. Four standard, age-calibrated, spatial reasoning tests were given before and after training; one test assessed spatial-temporal reasoning and three tests assessed spatial recognition. Significant improvement on the spatial-temporal test was found for the keyboard group only. No group improved significantly on the spatial recognition tests. The magnitude of the spatial-temporal improvement from keyboard training was greater than one standard deviation of the standardized test and lasted at least one day a duration traditionally classified as long term. This represents an increase in time by a factor of over 100 compared to a previous study in which listening to a Mozart piano sonata primed spatial-temporal reasoning in college students. This suggests that music training produces long-term modifications in underlying neural circuitry in regions not primarily concerned with music and might be investigated using EEG. We propose that an improvement of the magnitude reported may enhance the learning of standard curricula, such as mathematics and sciencel that draw heavily upon spatial-temporal reasoning. [Neural Res 1997; 19: 2-8]

Effects of adrenal medulla grafts on memory capacities of rats after hippocampal lesions

Behavioral and immunocytochemical techniques were used to study the effects of adrenal medulla grafts implanted in hippocampus—after lesion of this structure—on the memory capacities of rats. Performances of the grafted rats in the radial maze test were significantly improved and, in some aspects, fully restored. On the other hand, grafts had no significant effects on a one-trial spatial recognition test and impaired object recognition. Immunocytochemical identification showed that the grafts contained chromaffin cells with a choline acetyltransferase stainings while, in parallel, phenylethanolamine- N-methyltransferase stainings seemed to be decreased. Cholinergic innervation was established between the graft and the host hippocampus. A likely interpretation of this complex pattern of results is that the functional effects of the grafts depended on the arousal level induced by the behavioral task. At the neurobiological level, these effects probably set into play an interaction between opioid, catecholaminergic and cholinergic factors. Our results may contribute to the clarification of the problem of specificity of functional effects of intracerebral grafts as well as the problem of hippocampal role in learning and memory.

Spatial but not object recognition is impaired by aging in rats

Four groups of male Wistar rats (4, 8, 18, and 24 months) were submitted to object recognition and spatial recognition tests. Object recognition was not significantly affected by aging even at a longer retention interval. On the contrary, spatial recognition was significantly impaired in 18- and 24-month groups. The existence of two dissociable neural systems, respectively involved in object and spatial recognition, is discussed.

A new one-trial test for neurobiological studies of memory in rats. III. Spatial vs. non-spatial working memory

Rats were submitted to object and spatial recognition tests (both based on the same paradigm) and to the radial-arm maze. The results are as follows: (1) rats could discriminate between a new and a familiar object when the retention delay was 1 min, 15 min or 60 min but not 24 h. The relationship between the level of discrimination and intertrial delays is quadratic with a maximum for 15 min. (2) Exposure to distractive stimuli during the retention delay may impair object recognition. (3) Rats discriminated between a new and a familiar space. (4) There is no correlation between the three tests which argues for a multiple form of working memory, especially a spatial and a non-spatial one. (5) Medial septal lesion did not impair object and spatial recognition memory, but the level of discrimination in the spatial recognition test was significantly reduced compared to that of control.