Question

Explain the methodology of visible-platform task with the explanation of how you will interpret your theoretical results. What does this task suggest?

Answer 1

We can evaluate motor and visual competence to solve a water escape test using a simple visible platform task which is an adaptation of the cue-navigation version of the Morris maze used to dissociate visual and motor acuity from place memory . This task is ideal to confirm adequate ability to perform the procedural components of a water escape swim task due to its similarity to other spatial water maze tasks with respect to motor and visual requirements, differing only in that animals are not required to associate the location of the platform with distal spatial cues .The apparatus is a rectangular tub (36 × 29 in) filled with clear, room-temperature water. A visible platform (10 cm wide) is positioned 1.5 in. above the surface of the water. We put opaque curtains up around the maze to block prominent spatial cues and decrease the likelihood of animals using a spatial strategy.

Interpretation :

Latency to platform (s) is analyzed across six trials. Latency should decrease across the six trials. If an animal does not improve performance, this may be an indication of visual or motor impairment, and interpretation of cognitive performance on other tasks using water escape procedures should be carefully considered. It is of dire consequence to science to misinterpret maze performance as cognitive adeptness when really visual or motor capability is driving maze scores. The majority of our “good performers” find in less than 15 s .