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Modified Associative Learning T-Maze Test for Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Other Small Teleost Fish

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Zebrafish Neurobehavioral Protocols

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 51))

Abstract

Associative learning is a form of classical (Pavlovian) conditioning in which a neutral stimulus (e.g., the color green) is paired with a stimulus of some significance to an animal (e.g., food), such that for the animal, the color becomes synonymous with food to evoke the same innate, reflexive behavioral responses (e.g., food seeking). This protocol is designed to test the acquisition and extinction of reward-visual stimulus association in zebrafish (Danio rerio) in a T-maze. It is based on the visual discrimination protocol of Colwill et al. (2005), in which colors or patterns are paired with a food reward. The protocol has been modified to include a reward box within the T-maze aquarium so that the influence of drug reinforcement can be studied without the potential confound of reward residues contaminating the testing arena.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Georgianna G. Gould

Authors
  1. Georgianna G. Gould
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience Program, Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, Tulane Ave. 1430, New Orleans, 70112, Louisiana, USA

    Allan V. Kalueff

  2. Neuroscience Program, Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, Tulane Ave. 1430, New Orleans, 70112, Louisiana, USA

    Jonathan M. Cachat

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Gould, G.G. (2011). Modified Associative Learning T-Maze Test for Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Other Small Teleost Fish. In: Kalueff, A., Cachat, J. (eds) Zebrafish Neurobehavioral Protocols. Neuromethods, vol 51. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-953-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-953-6_5

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-952-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-953-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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