| 著者 |
Shintaro Otsuka, Yuriko Nakamura, Aya Ito-Ishida, Kunimichi Suzuki, Ayako Ishikawa, Keiko Matsuda, Shigetomo Suyama, Anis Contractor, Michisuke Yuzaki
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| Abstract |
Operant conditioning is a valuable method for studying cognitive functions, yet its adoption is limited by low throughput, labor intensity, and high costs. Here, we developed “Operant House,” a low-cost, programmable device featuring a touchscreen, retractable levers, and a water reward port, designed for flexible, automated operant conditioning tasks. To validate its utility, we implemented two protocols to assess working memory in mice: a delayed non-match-to-position test and a two-choice spatial discrimination test. Using these protocols, we examined a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease carrying familial Alzheimer’s disease-associated amyloid precursor protein mutations. Results revealed significant working memory deficits as early as 5 months of age. These findings highlight the Operant House as a cost-effective, high-throughput platform for evaluating higher cognitive functions in mice, offering an accessible tool for investigating models of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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