Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization
The Barnes maze is a commonly used test of allocentric spatial reference memory, consisting of an elevated circular table with holes around the perimeter. Spatial cues surrounding the maze are intended to allow the animal on the maze to locate a target hole from which they can escape and return to t...
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Elsevier
2025-10-01
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| Series: | Brain Research Bulletin |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025002953 |
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| author | Scott Ferguson Coral Hahn-Townsend Benoit Mouzon Salina Yathiraj Giovanni Brunetti Nicole Saltiel Cillian E. Lynch Michael Mullan Fiona Crawford |
| author_facet | Scott Ferguson Coral Hahn-Townsend Benoit Mouzon Salina Yathiraj Giovanni Brunetti Nicole Saltiel Cillian E. Lynch Michael Mullan Fiona Crawford |
| author_sort | Scott Ferguson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Barnes maze is a commonly used test of allocentric spatial reference memory, consisting of an elevated circular table with holes around the perimeter. Spatial cues surrounding the maze are intended to allow the animal on the maze to locate a target hole from which they can escape and return to their home cage during a period of acquisition trials. Following the acquisition period, the target box under the target hole is removed and a probe trial is performed to test spatial memory. One of the limitations of Barnes maze testing is that non-spatial strategies can be employed to locate the target hole, such as systematic serial searching hole to hole, which may mask the signal of spatial learning or memory deficits on gross outcome measures, such as the latency to find the target hole. Quantifying the search strategies used during Barnes maze testing can provide a more direct measurement of spatial memory impairments, and even allow for the detection of impairments to executive functioning and working memory that may impact the ability to utilize non-spatial systematic search strategies. We have developed a machine learning algorithm to automatically quantify search strategy utilization in an unbiased manner. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to cause impairments in spatial learning and memory, and in our testing with a model of repetitive mild TBI we have found significant deficits in the utilization of both spatial and systematic non-spatial search strategies 3 months after TBI. Understanding the factors driving gross outcome measures on the Barnes maze may provide greater insight into the effectiveness of potential treatment strategies designed to mitigate the chronic effects of TBI and other neurodegenerative diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-57864a66d8c14a769ea6c4d2b3775cf0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1873-2747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Research Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj-art-57864a66d8c14a769ea6c4d2b3775cf02025-08-20T03:58:35ZengElsevierBrain Research Bulletin1873-27472025-10-0123011148310.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111483Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilizationScott Ferguson0Coral Hahn-Townsend1Benoit Mouzon2Salina Yathiraj3Giovanni Brunetti4Nicole Saltiel5Cillian E. Lynch6Michael Mullan7Fiona Crawford8Corresponding author.; Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesRoskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United StatesThe Barnes maze is a commonly used test of allocentric spatial reference memory, consisting of an elevated circular table with holes around the perimeter. Spatial cues surrounding the maze are intended to allow the animal on the maze to locate a target hole from which they can escape and return to their home cage during a period of acquisition trials. Following the acquisition period, the target box under the target hole is removed and a probe trial is performed to test spatial memory. One of the limitations of Barnes maze testing is that non-spatial strategies can be employed to locate the target hole, such as systematic serial searching hole to hole, which may mask the signal of spatial learning or memory deficits on gross outcome measures, such as the latency to find the target hole. Quantifying the search strategies used during Barnes maze testing can provide a more direct measurement of spatial memory impairments, and even allow for the detection of impairments to executive functioning and working memory that may impact the ability to utilize non-spatial systematic search strategies. We have developed a machine learning algorithm to automatically quantify search strategy utilization in an unbiased manner. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to cause impairments in spatial learning and memory, and in our testing with a model of repetitive mild TBI we have found significant deficits in the utilization of both spatial and systematic non-spatial search strategies 3 months after TBI. Understanding the factors driving gross outcome measures on the Barnes maze may provide greater insight into the effectiveness of potential treatment strategies designed to mitigate the chronic effects of TBI and other neurodegenerative diseases.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025002953Barnes mazeSearch strategyTraumatic brain injuryAIMachine learning |
| spellingShingle | Scott Ferguson Coral Hahn-Townsend Benoit Mouzon Salina Yathiraj Giovanni Brunetti Nicole Saltiel Cillian E. Lynch Michael Mullan Fiona Crawford Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization Brain Research Bulletin Barnes maze Search strategy Traumatic brain injury AI Machine learning |
| title | Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization |
| title_full | Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization |
| title_fullStr | Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization |
| title_short | Neural network classification of Barnes maze search strategy utilization |
| title_sort | neural network classification of barnes maze search strategy utilization |
| topic | Barnes maze Search strategy Traumatic brain injury AI Machine learning |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025002953 |
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