A Computer-Based Application for Rapid Unbiased Classification of Swim Paths in the Morris Water Maze

The Morris water maze (MWM) is a commonly used apparatus for measuring visuo-spatial reference or working memory in rodents. In the reference memory task in our lab, mice are trained to locate a submerged platform in a circular pool filled with opaque water by using distal extra-maze visual cues. Learning in the MWM is typically assessed with measures of performance including latency and distance travelled to reach the platform, as well as swim speed and thigmotaxis (the amount of time spent swimming near the walls of the pool). To assess memory, probe trials are used in which the platform are removed and the amount of time mice spend in the quadrant of the pool where the platform was located and the frequency that they swim across the location of the platform is measured. Visual ability and motivation to escape are assessed in training trials with a visible escape platform.