Behavioral Assessment of Cognition & Emotion in Animal Models of Stroke

Cognition involves a variety of important neural functions, including memory and emotion. A range of behavioral tests, including Morris water maze, elevated-plus maze, Y-maze, novel object recognition/location tests, and radial-arm maze, have been developed to assess memory and cognition in rodents. Tests of cognition and emotion in rodent stroke models form an important part of behavioral neuroscience and are widely used in preclinical assessment of the neuroprotective effects of new therapies.

Fig. 1. The schematic representation of Morris water maze apparatus and the order of animal testing. (Kurkin et al., 2021)

Cognition Function Assessment Service

Ace Therapeutics offers a wide range of behavioral tests to assess cognition function in animal models of stroke. We can successfully detect changes in cognition, learning, and memory in rodent models of stroke, allowing cognitive testing to measure and quantify the efficacy of novel compounds and pharmacological interventions on cognition.

Our extensive experience in the field of behavioral testing allows us to tailor custom protocols and assays to meet the precise requirements of our clients.

Morris Water Maze (MWM)

We offer the MWM to assess spatial learning and memory abilities after a stroke. With the help of automated video tracking software, the animal's route, total swim distance, and average swim speed can be visualized and analyzed. Our experimental data can accurately assess the animal's sense of spatial location and orientation, especially in terms of spatial localization. This test is useful for assessing both short- and long-term outcomes of stroke.

Y-Maze

We offer the Y Maze to assess spontaneous alternation and spatial memory in rodents, which is widely used to assess cognitive function in the short and long term after stroke, as well as to study the effects of new therapies on stroke cognition.

New Object Recognition Test

We offer a single-session object recognition test to assess memory and memory related to object location in stroke animals. This test is relatively simple and objective and can assess long-term cognitive function after hemorrhagic stroke.

Radial-arm Test

We offer the radial-arm test to study working memory in animals. The test is relatively simple and sensitive, enabling assessment of long-term working/reference memory after stroke and evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of potential treatments. Our experts design radial arm maze tests to meet the needs of our client's research goals.

Elevated-plus Maze

We offer the elevated-plus maze test to assess anxiety levels after stroke in rodents, more commonly applied to ischemic stroke. Since the elevated maze utilizes the natural behavior of rodents to assess anxiety, the test does not require training.

Each test is used differently in different stroke types and the purpose of the test varies. Ace Therapeutics offers highly customized cognition & emotion behavior tests in animal models of stroke to meet specific scientific needs. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Kurkin, D. V., et al. (2021). Neuroprotective action of Cortexin, Cerebrolysin and Actovegin in acute or chronic brain ischemia in rats. PLoS One, 16(7), e0254493.