Novel Object Recognition
IACUC Standard Procedure
Effective Date: June 2024
Description of Procedure:
Novel object recognition is used to evaluate non-spatial memory in an open field. (see Locomotor Activity Test Standard Procedure).
Procedure Steps:
- Prior to administering the test, the animals are habituated individually to an open field by placing the animal in the arena for a determined frequency (approximately 5 minutes).
- For the training session, two identical small objects are placed in the open field, equally spaced from each other and the walls of the enclosure.
- The animal is allowed to freely explore the objects for approximately 10-15 minutes, while an observer records the amount of time the animal spends investigating each object. Alternatively, the entire testing session is videotaped from an overhead camera for later post-video analysis.
- On the retention test (4-24 hours after the training session), a familiar object from the training session is placed into the enclosure along with a novel object that the animal has never seen before. The time spent exploring each object is recorded.