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Place and direction learning in a spatial T-maze task by neonatal piglets

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Abstract

Pigs are a valuable animal model for studying neurodevelopment in humans due to similarities in brain structure and growth. The development and validation of behavioral tests to assess learning and memory in neonatal piglets are needed. The present study evaluated the capability of 2-week old piglets to acquire a novel place and direction learning spatial T-maze task. Validity of the task was assessed by the administration of scopolamine, an anti-cholinergic drug that acts on the hippocampus and other related structures, to impair spatial memory. During acquisition, piglets were trained to locate a milk reward in a constant place in space, as well as direction (east or west), in a plus-shaped maze using extra-maze visual cues. Following acquisition, reward location was reversed and piglets were re-tested to assess learning and working memory. The performance of control piglets in the maze improved over time (P < 0.0001), reaching performance criterion (80 % correct) on day 5 of acquisition. Correct choices decreased in the reversal phase (P < 0.0001), but improved over time. In a separate study, piglets were injected daily with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; control) or scopolamine prior to testing. Piglets administered scopolamine showed impaired performance in the maze compared to controls (P = 0.03), failing to reach performance criterion after 6 days of acquisition testing. Collectively, these data demonstrate that neonatal piglets can be tested in a spatial T-maze task to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and memory.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Matt Conrad, Jen Rytych, and Caitlyn Getty for their assistance in the development of the spatial task.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Monica R. P. Elmore, Ryan N. Dilger & Rodney W. Johnson

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  1. Monica R. P. Elmore
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  2. Ryan N. Dilger
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  3. Rodney W. Johnson
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Correspondence to Monica R. P. Elmore.

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Elmore, M.R.P., Dilger, R.N. & Johnson, R.W. Place and direction learning in a spatial T-maze task by neonatal piglets. Anim Cogn 15, 667–676 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-012-0495-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-012-0495-9

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