Hughes Robert N
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2004 Sep;28(5):497-505. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.06.006.
Because of its reliance on memory, the tendency for rats, mice and other animals to alternate successive choices of T- or Y-maze arms has assumed considerable popularity in pharmacological studies of spatial memory as a quick and simple measure of retention that avoids the need for extensive training and the use of conventional reinforcers. Two forms of this tendency have been utilized, namely two-trial and continuous spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB). However, as the behavior can also reflect drug-related changes in sensory/attentional, motivational and performance processes, SAB should not be unquestionably accepted as a measure of memory alone. While assessments of post-acquisition drug effects on longer term memory may be possible through the appropriate timing of drug administration, this is more problematic if SAB is used as a measure of shorter term memory. Even though SAB can be a useful index of responsiveness to novelty, its value as a measure of retention is less certain. In this latter respect, a possible alternative to SAB testing might be the recently developed form of the related procedure, responsiveness to change.
由于对记忆的依赖，大鼠、小鼠和其他动物在T型或Y型迷宫臂中交替进行连续选择的倾向，在空间记忆的药理学研究中颇受欢迎，它是一种快速简单的记忆保持测量方法，避免了广泛训练的需要以及传统强化物的使用。这种倾向的两种形式已被采用，即两次试验和连续自发交替行为（SAB）。然而，由于这种行为也可能反映出药物在感觉/注意力、动机和行为表现过程中引起的变化，因此不应不假思索地将SAB仅作为记忆的一种测量方法。虽然通过适当的给药时间有可能评估给药后药物对长期记忆的影响，但如果将SAB用作短期记忆的测量方法，问题就会更多。尽管SAB可能是对新奇事物反应性的一个有用指标，但其作为记忆保持测量方法的价值却不太确定。在这后一方面，SAB测试的一种可能替代方法可能是最近开发的相关程序形式，即对变化的反应性。
