Get ready for a deep dive into the Atlantis platform, an amazing innovation that’s bringing a new level of precision to Morris Water Maze studies. This platform helps researchers unlock the secrets of spatial learning and memory in our furry rodent friends!
The Morris Water Maze (MWM) is a super popular test for studying spatial learning and memory in rodents. Now, thanks to recent tech advances, we have the Atlantis platform, a game-changing adaptation of the MWM that lets researchers take their experiments to new heights. With a hidden, adjustable platform that can be raised or lowered during testing, the Atlantis platform allows for a closer look at cognitive function and the nitty-gritty of spatial learning and memory processes.
HVS Image, a pioneer in creating commercial Atlantis platforms, is at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology. After four years of intensive R&D, they’ve recently launched their most advanced and user-friendly platform yet, empowering researchers to dive even deeper into MWM experiments.
One of the coolest things about the Atlantis platform is its ability to change the platform’s location during the experiment. This opens up a world of possibilities for studying different types of spatial learning and memory, including reference memory, working memory, and reversal learning. By tweaking the platform’s position, scientists can see how well animals adapt to changing environments and test their cognitive flexibility.
The Atlantis platform has been especially helpful in exploring cognitive impairments in rodent models of neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease. In a study by Vorhees and Williams (2006), the Atlantis platform was used to investigate the effects of a genetic mutation linked to Alzheimer’s on spatial working memory in mice. The adjustable platform allowed researchers to examine the animals’ ability to adapt to changing task demands and pinpoint specific cognitive deficits related to the disease.
HVS Image doesn’t just stop at Atlantis platforms—they also offer advanced video tracking solutions for MWM experiments. These systems make it a breeze to analyze rodent behavior, helping researchers efficiently assess various aspects of cognitive function, such as escape latency, path length, and search strategies.
So, there you have it! The Atlantis platform, brought to us by HVS Image, is a fantastic innovation that helps researchers delve into the complexities of cognitive function and the inner workings of spatial learning and memory. Their ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of this technology offers researchers powerful tools for studying cognitive processes and finding potential therapeutic targets for cognitive impairments.
References: Steele, R. J., & Morris, R. G. (1999). Delay-dependent impairment of a matching-to-place task with chronic and intrahippocampal infusion of the NMDA-antagonist D-AP5. Hippocampus, 9(2), 118-136. Vorhees, C. V., & Williams, M. T. (2006). Morris water maze: procedures for assessing spatial and related forms of learning and memory. Nature protocols, 1(2), 848-858