Sex, diurnal variation and retention interval differently affect performance of marmoset monkeys in a recognition memory task for object location.

Sex, diurnal variation and retention interval differently affect performance of marmoset monkeys in a recognition memory task for object location.
Behav Brain Res. 2019 Nov 04;:112334
Authors: Vannuchi CRS, Costa CS, de Jesus FM, Maior RS, Barros M
Abstract
In the spontaneous object-location (SOL) task, the ability to recognize where stimuli were located in a past encounter is assessed. Even if widely used in rodents, several aspects can affect task performance. It is thus important to assess potentially intervening variables in the new monkey SOL task. Here we assessed whether sex (male vs. females), circadian time (morning vs. afternoon) and retention interval (24 vs. 48 h) affect the performance of adult marmosets in this task. Two identical stimuli were initially explored on a 10-min sample trial. Thereafter, preferential exploration of the displaced vs. the stationary object was analyzed on a 10-min test trial. Both sexes similarly explored the displaced object quicker and longer than the stationary item after a 24 h inter-trial interval. This response pattern was also seen when males were similarly assessed in the morning or afternoon. However, males tested after 48 h explored both objects equally and after a similar latency, yet spent more time where the displaced item had been previously located. Task performance was not related to object exploration during encoding and general activity remained constant. Therefore, sex...

Source: Behavioural Brain Research - November 3, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: Vannuchi CRS, Costa CS, de Jesus FM, Maior RS, Barros M Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research