Behavioral testing methods and precautions for Y maze ( 1 ) Introduction to Y Labyrinth Experiment       The Y maze is mainly used for animal identification learning, working memory and reference memory testing. The Y labyrinth consists of three identical arms. At the end of each arm, there is a food supply device. According to the analysis of the animal feeding strategy, the number of times, the time, the correct number of times, the number of errors, the route and the like of each arm can reflect the spatial memory ability of the experimental animal. Relatively speaking, the Y maze is simple and feasible. It is simpler than the eight-arm maze and has certain practicability. It is often used for learning memory function evaluation. The food-reward maze task, such as the Y- maze and the eight-arm maze, can detect spatial reference memory and spatial working memory associated with the hippocampus and prefrontal brain regions of rodents. When an animal is looking for food in a maze, the animal needs to remember the labyrinth arm it has searched for according to the visual indication around the maze to avoid repeated access to the same arm, thus effectively obtaining food. This type of memory can guide ongoing behavior and is called working memory. The Y maze experimental model is used to study the spatial recognition and memory ability of rodents. The advantage of this experiment over passive avoidance is that this maze takes advantage of the natural habits of rodents in the natural exploration of new environments, without the need for animals to learn anything. Rules to avoid disadvantages can effectively reflect the ability of animals to recognize and remember new and different environments ( Dellu et al, 2000; Dellu et al, 1992; Martin et al, 2003 ). (2)  Y labyrinth device       The Y labyrinth is made of a medical organic board with black adhesive tape on the inner and outer walls. A total of 3 arms, each with an angle of 120 degrees, each arm measuring 30 cm × 8 cm × 15 cm (length × width × height), with a movable partition at the center, attached to each arm of the maze Different geometric figures are used as visual markers. Three arms of each Y-maze was randomly set: the novel arm (novel arm), the start arm (start arm) and the other arm (other arm). Novel arm: the first block with a separator stage of the experiment, i.e. a training period, when the second opening stage of the test period; start arm: the arm is located when the mouse into the maze. The starting arm and the other arms were always open throughout the experiment and the animals were free to enter and exit. The wood chips are placed in the labyrinth. After each training or test, the sawdust in each arm is mixed to prevent the residual odor of the animal. The camera lens was placed 1.5 m above the labyrinth , and the whole process was recorded. (3) Y Labyrinth Food Reward Test: 9:00-12:00      The Y maze experiment consists of two phases, spaced 1 h ( 1 h ITI ). The first stage was the training period. The new arm was blocked by the partition. The mouse was placed in the starting arm and freely moved for 10 min in the starting arm and other arms. After the training, the mice were returned to the cage. The second phase experiment was performed after 1 h . The second stage is the detection period, the new arm spacer is removed, the mouse is placed in the starting arm, and freely movable in 3 arms for 5 min . The video recorded the time and number of shuttles per mouse in each arm within 5 min . Statistics: Y maze test, the mouse between the respective arms residence time within 5 min; the Y maze test, the number of mice 5 min each arm of the shuttle. Note: In the experiment, the starting arms, new arms and other arms of the Y maze corresponding to different animals were randomly arranged , but for the same mouse, the three arms were fixed in the two stages of the labyrinth experiment. Since the mouse can not be used for more than a few hours in the maze test, the labyrinth test can be repeated on the same mouse, but the two experiments need to be separated by at least 1 week and the three arms are changed ( Dellu Et al, 2000 ). Evaluation of spatial recognition memory ability can be used as a test indicator for the time the mouse stays in each arm, and the number of times the animal is shuttled to each arm is used as an indicator of its activity ( Dellu et al, 1992 , 2000 ). Behavioral testing method for Y maze (4) Y maze electrical stimulation test    The Y- maze is a three-arm type reflector box. The angle between the three arms is 120 °. The bottom is a copper rod that can be energized. There is a signal light at each end of the arm. The light is on to indicate the safety zone. The arm is not energized and has no current. Power-on ( voltage 50 ~ 70 V , roughly fixed in the intensity of the mice to escape behavior ) . During the experiment, the safe area was immediately changed, and the mice were shocked, and the mice immediately fled to the safe area for a correct response. Specific method: Each mouse was first acclimated in the maze for 3 min , and the electric shock was delayed for 5 s each time until the mouse responded correctly for 9 consecutive times during the training . Record the number of trainings the mice need to learn. The fewer the number of trainings, the stronger the learning ability. After 4 h , the memory retention ability was detected, and the memory retention ability ( the number of correct responses /the total number of detections × 100%) was expressed as the percentage of the correct number of responses ( the number of correct responses × 100%) . The higher the value, the better the memory. Guangdong Jia Mei Biological Technology Co.Ltd , https://www.jaymeimask.com