A novel treadmill-based method for assessing learning and memory in mice

Pei Xiaxia; Li Tian; Zhang Yanli; Gao Yanping; Su Qiang

doi:10.12307/2026.717

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Currently,behavioral tests for assessing learning and memory are important technical methods for the drug development and exploration of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.However,animal behavior is easily influenced by various factors,including external conditions,the function of internal organs and cells,and psychological states.Therefore,developing appropriate experimental methods that can effectively reflect animal cognitive behavior is an important prerequisite for exploring the pathogenic mechanism and prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE:To verify that the treadmill test is a new method using two different mouse models and to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the treadmill test in evaluating the learning and memory ability of mice in comparison with the Morris water maze. METHODS:The genotypes of APP/PS1 transgenic mice(Alzheimer's disease group,n=8)and littermate wild-type mice(control group,n=8)and the pathological features of β-amyloid in the brain were identified using polymerase chain reaction and thioflavin S staining.Subsequently,11-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic mice(Alzheimer's disease group,n=8)and their littermates of wild-type mice(control group,n=8)were subjected to a treadmill test.At the same time,8-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice(Alzheimer's disease group,n=8)and wild-type control mice(control group,n=8)were subjected to treadmill and water maze tests sequentially. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The polymerase chain reaction results showed that the expression of APP and PSEN1 genes in APP/PS1 transgenic mice was higher than that in the control group(P<0.001),and thioflavin S staining showed that there were more β-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice than in the control group(P<0.001).The results of the treadmill test showed that the total number and duration of electric shocks in APP/PS1 transgenic mice were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).(2)The results of the treadmill test showed that the total number and duration of electric shocks in 3×Tg AD mice were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The results of the water maze test showed that the escape latency of 3×Tg AD mice was longer than that of the control group from the 4th day of the localization navigation phase(P<0.05).To conclude,the treadmill test can effectively reflect the learning and memory function of mice,and may become an experimental method for measuring mouse cognitive behaviors.