Unraveling cognitive traits using the Morris water maze unbiased strategy classification (MUST-C) algorithm

Tomer Illouz, Ravit Madar, Yoram Louzon, Kathleen J. Griffioen, Eitan Okun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

The assessment of spatial cognitive learning in rodents is a central approach in neuroscience, as it enables one to assess and quantify the effects of treatments and genetic manipulations from a broad perspective. Although the Morris water maze (MWM) is a well-validated paradigm for testing spatial learning abilities, manual categorization of performance in the MWM into behavioral strategies is subject to individual interpretation, and thus to biases. Here we offer a support vector machine (SVM) - based, automated, MWM unbiased strategy classification (MUST-C) algorithm, as well as a cognitive score scale. This model was examined and validated by analyzing data obtained from five MWM experiments with changing platform sizes, revealing a limitation in the spatial capacity of the hippocampus. We have further employed this algorithm to extract novel mechanistic insights on the impact of members of the Toll-like receptor pathway on cognitive spatial learning and memory. The MUST-C algorithm can greatly benefit MWM users as it provides a standardized method of strategy classification as well as a cognitive scoring scale, which cannot be derived from typical analysis of MWM data.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)132-144
Number of pages13
JournalBrain, Behavior, and Immunity
Volume52
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Authors.

Funding

We would like to thank the following students for conducting experiments that were analyzed in this manuscript: Tzlil Margan, Daniel Cohen, Ana Hutorskoy and Yaarit Ovadia. IRF3−/− mice were generously provided by Dr. Michael Diamond and Dr. Tada Taniguchi. This study was supported by the Alzheimer’s Association Foundation and the Feder Family Fund .

FundersFunder number
Alzheimer’s Association Foundation
Feder Family Fund

    Keywords

    • Cognitive score
    • Hippocampus
    • Learning and memory
    • Machine learning
    • Morris water maze
    • SVM
    • Spatial learning
    • Spatial resolution
    • Strategy

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