Home › Cell Biology › Analysis of Learning and Memory Ability in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model using the Morris Water Maze
Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Analysis of Learning and Memory Ability in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model using the Morris Water Maze

DOI: 10.3791/60055-v
What you'll learn
  • ✓ Conduct Morris water maze testing to assess spatial learning and memory in mice.
  • ✓ Interpret swim path patterns and latency data to evaluate cognitive performance.
  • ✓ Apply behavioral protocols to evaluate therapeutic interventions in disease models.
Protocol

Herein, a protocol to conduct the Morris water maze tests to evaluate the ability of learning and memory of Alzheimer’s Disease model mice and to assess the effect of manual acupuncture for treating them is described.

Difficulty
intermediate
Total time
~5–7 days (including acclimation and repeated trial phases)
Model organism
Mouse (Alzheimer's disease transgenic model)
Biosafety
BSL-1

Steps

1
Set up Morris water maze apparatus and environment

Configure the circular pool, platform position, visual cues, and testing room lighting. Ensure consistent water temperature and minimal external disturbances.

▶ 01:22
2
Perform Morris water maze acquisition trials

Place mice in water and record swim paths, latency to platform, and swimming speed across multiple daily sessions. Measure learning curves over consecutive days.

▶ 02:25
3
Analyze treatment effects on memory retention

Compare spatial memory performance between acupuncture-treated and control disease-model mice using probe trials and latency data analysis.

▶ 04:40
4
Interpret and report behavioral outcomes

Summarize learning curves, memory indices, and therapeutic efficacy from Morris water maze data to support conclusions about cognitive improvement.

▶ 05:55
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