Learning about cognition risk with the radial-arm maze in the developmental neurotoxicology battery.

ABSTRACT: Cognitive dysfunction has been found in epidemiological studies to be among the most sensitive impairments associated with developmental exposure to a variety of environmental contaminants from heavy metals to polyhalogenated hydrocarbons and pesticides. These chemicals have been also shown to impair cognitive function after developmental exposure in experimental animal models. The radial-arm maze (RAM) has proven to be a sensitive and reliable way to assess both learning and memory in a variety of species, most often in rats and mice. The RAM is a very adaptable test method that takes advantage of rodents' instinct to explore new places in the environment to forage. That is, rodents do not need to be trained to run through the maze; they will normally do this from the initial session of t

SUBMITTER: Levin ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4656139 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature