Development of learning and memory in mice genetically selected for differences in brain weight.

Mice selected for high (H), medium (M), and low (L) brain weight were trained to the goal arm opposite their preference in a shock-escape T-maze at 7, 9, 11, or 13 days of age. Twenty-four hours later, half of the trained groups at each age received additional training to the original goal, whereas the other half was trained to the opposite goal. Maturational control groups without prior training were trained on the selected retest days for the previously trained groups. Improvement in correct choice-point turns during training was suggested for the H-line by 9 days of age and by 11 days of age for the M- and L-lines. During retraining, H-line mice demonstrated 24-hr retention effects by 10 days of age, whereas 24-hr memory was not indicated for M- and L-lines at any of the ages investigated. These results indicate that the onsets of learning and memory were influenced by genes affecting brain weight, in that H-line mice demonstrated more rapid brain growth as well as heavier brain weights at every age studied as compared with M- and L-line mice which showed similar brain growth functions.