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Abstract
In this paper we describe a new memory test in rats, based on the differential exploration
of familiar and new objects. In a first trial (T1), rats are exposed to one or to
two identical objects (samples) and in a second trial, to two dissimilar objects,
a familiar (the sample) and a new one. For short intertrial intervals (approximately
1 min), most rats discriminate between the two objects in T2: they spend more time
in exploring the new object than the familiar one. This test has several interesting
characteristics: (1) it is similar to visual recognition tests widely used in subhuman
primates, this allows interspecies comparisons; (2) it is entirely based on the spontaneous
behavior of rats and can be considered as a 'pure' working-memory test completely
free of reference memory component; (3) it does not involve primary reinforcement
such as food or electric shocks, this makes it comparable to memory tests currently
used in man.