Abstract
This chapter addresses the unique considerations inherent to working with developmental rodent models when selecting and implementing behavioral tasks, including maze assessments. Discussion focuses on the unique perspective of developmental research, and specifically, research modeling developmental disruption or injury to the brain. The chapter begins with a brief overview of mammalian brain development, and a summary of some common developmental disruption rodent models currently in use. Next, the chapter addresses the requirements and limitations of tasks selection and implementation when performing developmental neuropathological rodent behavioral research. Finally, the chapter discusses other variables known to interact with development and injury outcomes, such as species/strain, sex and hormones, and prior test experience, and how such variables must receive extra consideration when performing developmental work.
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Truong, D.T., Fitch, R.H. (2015). Behavioral Consequences of Early Disruption and Injury to the Developing Brain: Studying Rodent Models. In: Bimonte-Nelson, H. (eds) The Maze Book. Neuromethods, vol 94. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2159-1_4
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