Changes in Cognitive Abilities of Laboratory Mice as a Result of Artificial Selection

Two selection experiments with mice are in progress in the laboratory: one for large and small relative brain weights (LB and SB lines) and another for success in cognitive task solutions. Data are presented on the cognitive abilities of these animals during the solution of two tasks which are based on food (extrapolation of the direction of food stimulus movement as the food disappears from view) and aversive motivations (avoidance of the brightly lit part of a box or puzzle- box), respectively. LB mice scored higher in comparison to SB mice in both tasks, while mice selected for the high scores of the extrapolation test were more successful in the puzzle-box solution only.