T-maze Spontaneous Alternation

Short-term spatial memory can be assessed in a T-maze. During a sample trial, the mouse is placed in the base of the “T” to explore the maze. After an entry into one other arm, it is contained in this arm for 30 seconds by lowering a guillotine door at the entrance of the arm. During the test trial, the mouse is placed back into the start arm.  During the test trial, the mouse is placed back into the starting arm. A successful alternation is scored if the mouse chooses to enter the previously non-visited arm, indicating the acquisition of spatial memory of previously visited arm.