Protocol Citation: sdwalto, Jeffrey Kordower, Bryan Killinger 2024. Digging Test. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.bp2l6xj3zlqe/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: February 28, 2024
Last Modified: May 31, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 95896
Keywords: ASAPCRN, mice behavior, digging test, olfaction
Funders Acknowledgement:
Jeffrey Kordower
Grant ID: NIH R21 NS109871
Abstract
Digging test optimized for mice. This is a test to assess olfaction impairment. The more olfactory impairment or deficits, the longer it will take to find the sweetened treat.
Guidelines
Note: If the treat was found within 5 mins, the animal was allowed to eat it.
Materials
- clean mouse cage
- clean bedding
- sweetened cereal. (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
- stopwatch
Fast mice overnight (Do not exceed 24 hours).
Prepare a clean mouse cage filled with 3 cm of bedding.
Prepare an appetitive stimulus of sweetened cereal. Cinnamon Toast Crunch was used here.
Bury cereal piece 0.5 cm below the bedding along the perimeter of the cage.
Monitor the mouse for 5 mins or until they find the treat. Time was recorded until the treat was found. If treat was not found by the end of 5 mins, mouse does not get the treat.
Replace the bedding and repeat for each mouse.