Place DMTS water-escape with direct placement or response information runs

Abstract A two-choice, spatial delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS) water-escape task has proved to be a valuable of assay of trial-dependent memory. The task involves giving rats trials consisting of a forced-choice information run and a free-choice test run that are separated by a 5-m retention interval. Two experiments were conducted to determine the importance of making a complete response (R), partial response (P), or no response (NR; direct placement on escape platform) during the information “run” on acquisition and the subsequent performance of the task. Most of the naive, male, Sprague–Dawley rats were capable of attaining a 90% correct choice criterion when trained with P or NR information runs, but rats trained with R information runs required fewer trials to attain criterion and had shorter escape latencies during the criterion trials. Rats in all three groups showed significant retention at retention intervals as long as 1 h. Rats overtrained on the task with R information runs were subsequently able to perform the task at above chance level, regardless of the type information run given on the trial, but performed more accurately on trials where they made P or R information runs. Thus, rats use and perform better on place DMTS when allocentric environmental and egocentric response-associated cues are both available.