The role of age and biological sex on short-term memory in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Aging plays an important role in cognitive function, memory, and mental health. As we age, some cognitive functions become weaker. Aging is also a critical risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. With recent advances seen in public health, humans are living longer years. This makes it a challenge to make those added years healthy. For this reason, it is important to continue studying its effects by using, the Syrian hamster, as a model. The purpose of the study is to identify other factors that might also have a role in short-term memory, besides aging.
Methods: All behavioral experiments were conducted using a 16-hole board apparatus. Each hole was categorized as a zone to collect data. Zone 6 was used to expose the control/treatment during trial 2. Subjects were exposed to either clean or dirty bedding (corresponding to opposite sex odors), control or treatment during this trial. Animals were placed in the hole board for five 3-minute trials; Preexposure, Treatment/Exposure, and Memory tests 1-3. Memory tests 2 and 3 consisted of 15 and 30-minute inter-trial intervals, respectfully, from time of exposure to treatment/control. Three cohorts of male (n=28) and female (n=36) subjects, including young, middle, and old aged dependent on their date of birth, randomly chosen. First, Preexposure trial was done for 3 minutes to collect data on zone preference and expose hamsters to the apparatus. Second, hamsters were exposed to treatment/control on trial 2 for 3 minutes. Thorough cleaning done in between each trial. Hamsters were then tested right after cleaning for memory trial 1. Memory trial 2 took place 15 minutes from the time of treatment/control exposure. Memory trial 3, 30 minutes from the time of treatment/control exposure.
Results: Data was collected using ANY-maze tracking system and analyzed with SPSS software using repeated measures ANOVA. Males had more overall entries into the stimulus zone (6) compared to females F (1, 41) = 10.507, p=0.002, but there was no significant interaction between sex and trials F (3, 123) =1.648, p=0.182. There was no sex difference in overall entries into a neutral zone (1) F (1, 41) =0.012, p=0.914 and there was no significant interaction between sex and trials F (3, 123) =0.603, p=0.614. There was no significant interaction between age and trials; old cohort - F (1,41) = .260, p=.613; middle cohort - F (1,41) = 1.526, p=.224; young cohort – F (1,41) = .143, p=.7.07.
Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that the Syrian hamster is an excellent animal model for the study of exploring sex differences in learning and memory. Males approached a social stimulus more often than females, and the middle-aged cohort demonstrated a higher main effect during memory trials. In this present study, we will further explore factors like, housing, weight, and age, and their role in short-term memory.
Academic/Professional Position
Graduate Student
Mentor/PI Department
Neuroscience
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Laura E. and Gil, Mario, "The role of age and biological sex on short-term memory in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)" (2024). Research Symposium. 65.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2024/posters/65
The role of age and biological sex on short-term memory in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
Background: Aging plays an important role in cognitive function, memory, and mental health. As we age, some cognitive functions become weaker. Aging is also a critical risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. With recent advances seen in public health, humans are living longer years. This makes it a challenge to make those added years healthy. For this reason, it is important to continue studying its effects by using, the Syrian hamster, as a model. The purpose of the study is to identify other factors that might also have a role in short-term memory, besides aging.
Methods: All behavioral experiments were conducted using a 16-hole board apparatus. Each hole was categorized as a zone to collect data. Zone 6 was used to expose the control/treatment during trial 2. Subjects were exposed to either clean or dirty bedding (corresponding to opposite sex odors), control or treatment during this trial. Animals were placed in the hole board for five 3-minute trials; Preexposure, Treatment/Exposure, and Memory tests 1-3. Memory tests 2 and 3 consisted of 15 and 30-minute inter-trial intervals, respectfully, from time of exposure to treatment/control. Three cohorts of male (n=28) and female (n=36) subjects, including young, middle, and old aged dependent on their date of birth, randomly chosen. First, Preexposure trial was done for 3 minutes to collect data on zone preference and expose hamsters to the apparatus. Second, hamsters were exposed to treatment/control on trial 2 for 3 minutes. Thorough cleaning done in between each trial. Hamsters were then tested right after cleaning for memory trial 1. Memory trial 2 took place 15 minutes from the time of treatment/control exposure. Memory trial 3, 30 minutes from the time of treatment/control exposure.
Results: Data was collected using ANY-maze tracking system and analyzed with SPSS software using repeated measures ANOVA. Males had more overall entries into the stimulus zone (6) compared to females F (1, 41) = 10.507, p=0.002, but there was no significant interaction between sex and trials F (3, 123) =1.648, p=0.182. There was no sex difference in overall entries into a neutral zone (1) F (1, 41) =0.012, p=0.914 and there was no significant interaction between sex and trials F (3, 123) =0.603, p=0.614. There was no significant interaction between age and trials; old cohort - F (1,41) = .260, p=.613; middle cohort - F (1,41) = 1.526, p=.224; young cohort – F (1,41) = .143, p=.7.07.
Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that the Syrian hamster is an excellent animal model for the study of exploring sex differences in learning and memory. Males approached a social stimulus more often than females, and the middle-aged cohort demonstrated a higher main effect during memory trials. In this present study, we will further explore factors like, housing, weight, and age, and their role in short-term memory.