Age-related defects in sensorimotor activity, spatial learning, and memory in C57BL/6 mice

Abstract

Impaired locomotor activity and spatial memory are common features in the natural aging process, and aging is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative disease and postoperative cognitive dysfunction. To characterize age-related changes in psychomotor performance, we assessed sensorimotor activity, spatial learning, and memory in C57BL/6 mice using the Rotarod, foot fault, and Barnes Maze tests. Old mice exhibit significant deficits in locomotor activity and spatial memory relative to young mice, but improve with training. These tests will be useful to assess outcome in neurodegenerative disease and postoperative cognitive dysfunction models carried out in aged mice.

Figure 1

Age-related changes in sensorimotor performance. (A) Effect of aging on the average time to fall off the Rotarod. Day 1 represents baseline performance, maximum time is 300 seconds. (B) Age-related performance on Foot Fault test. Data are expressed as Mean ± S.E.M.

Figure 2

Effect of aging on Barnes Maze performance. (A) Mean Latency (s) to enter the escape box. (B) Total Distance travelled (cm) to get into the escape box. (C) Mean Velocity (cm/s) during performance. (D) Mean Number of Errors. Data are expressed as Mean ± S.E.M.

Figure 3

Effect of aging on the primary Barnes Maze parameters. (A) Primary Latency (s) to approach the escape box. (B) Primary Path Length (cm) to reach the escape box. (C) Mean Primary Errors to first approach the target box in the maze. All mice improved their performance; however young mice had shorter primary latency and fewer primary errors than did aged mice. Data are expressed as Mean ± S.E.M.