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Behavioral Analysis of NMDAR Function in Rodents: Tests of Long-Term Spatial Memory

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NMDA Receptors

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2799))

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Abstract

NMDAR-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity in brain regions like the hippocampus are widely believed to provide the neural substrate for long-term associative memory formation. However, the experimental data are equivocal at best and may suggest a more nuanced role for NMDARs and synaptic plasticity in memory. Much of the experimental data available comes from studies in genetically modified mice in which NMDAR subunits have been deleted or mutated in order to disrupt NMDAR function. Behavioral assessment of long-term memory in these mice has involved tests like the Morris watermaze and the radial arm maze. Here we describe these behavioral tests and some of the different testing protocols that can be used to assess memory performance. We discuss the importance of distinguishing selective effects on learning and memory processes from nonspecific effects on sensorimotor or motivational aspects of performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    David M. Bannerman & Chris Barkus

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Columbus, GA, USA

    Ahmed Eltokhi

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  1. David M. Bannerman
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  2. Chris Barkus
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  3. Ahmed Eltokhi
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Correspondence to David M. Bannerman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Neurobiology (INMED), Marseille, France

    Nail Burnashev

  2. INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Neurobiology (INMED), Marseille, France

    Pierre Szepetowski

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Bannerman, D.M., Barkus, C., Eltokhi, A. (2024). Behavioral Analysis of NMDAR Function in Rodents: Tests of Long-Term Spatial Memory. In: Burnashev, N., Szepetowski, P. (eds) NMDA Receptors. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2799. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3830-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3830-9_7

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