IFIBYNE   05513
INSTITUTO DE FISIOLOGIA, BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR Y NEUROCIENCIAS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Measuring crab´s memory: improving conditioning
Autor/es:
ANDINA ML; KLAPPENBACH M; LOCATELLI F; PEDREIRA ME; ROMANO A; FELD M
Lugar:
Huerta Grande, Córdoba
Reunión:
Congreso; Congreso de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigaciones en Neurociencias; 2013
Institución organizadora:
Sociedad Argentina de Investigaciones en Neurociencias
Resumen:
Context-Signal Memory (CSM) of the crab Neohelice granulata has been
exhaustively studied as a learning and memory model that allowed to
unravel details from processes such as consolidation, reconsolidation,
extinction and retrieval. However, a limiting feature of the
experimental design has been the high number of animals needed to draw
conclusions.
Using the traditional device, it was demonstrated that paired
presentations of the context (CS) with the visual danger stimulus, VDS
(US) increases the predictive value of the CS thus eliciting an
anticipatory response. This new paradigm was named Contextual Pavlovian
Conditioning (CPC) (Fustiñana et al., 2012).
Recently, we developed a new device to measure the crab´s escape
response in order to reduce the number of individuals. For this
purpose, the crab is hold from the dorsal carapace over a cylinder that
rolls as the animal tries to move. A computer records distance and time,
and controls stimulation.
Our challenge was to adapt CPC to the new device. Here, we present data
showing that learning and memory retention can be clearly revealed in
this new device using four times less animals than in the traditional
one. Moreover, it allows more detailed measurements and a thorough
description of the behavior.
This tool promises a whole new set of possibilities to venture into
learning and memory mechanisms and, applying experimental approaches
suited for reduced number of animals.