Cited by 641Memory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and InfluencesSpatial Cognition and Navigation

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 116 of the 116 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The value of spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) as a test of retention in pharmacological investigations of memory

Hughes, Robert N.·2004·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.06.006

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

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.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.06.006

Cites

116 of 116 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Spatial localization does not require the presence of local cues
Morris, R. G. M. (1981) · Learning and Motivation · doi:10.1016/0023-9690(81)90020-5 · Cited by 2,699
Remembrance of places passed: Spatial memory in rats.
Olton, D. S., & Samuelson, R. J. (1976) · Journal of Experimental Psychology Animal Behavior Processes · doi:10.1037/0097-7403.2.2.97 · Cited by 1,993
Human Memory and the Cholinergic System
Drachman, D. A. (1974) · Archives of Neurology · doi:10.1001/archneur.1974.00490320001001 · Cited by 1,398
Functions of Varied Experience
Berlyne, D. E., Fiske, D. W., & Maddi, S. R. (1963) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/1419183 · Cited by 1,114
The neurobiological basis of spontaneous alternation
Lalonde, R. (2002) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(01)00041-0 · Cited by 857
Facilitation of Conditioned Fear Extinction by Systemic Administration or Intra-Amygdala Infusions of d-Cycloserine as Assessed with Fear-Potentiated Startle in Rats
Walker, D. L., Ressler, K. J., Lu, K.-T., & Davis, M. (2002) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.22-06-02343.2002 · Cited by 815
Validity of head-dipping as a measure of exploration in a modified hole-board
File, S. E., & Wardill, A. G. (1975) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/bf00421184 · Cited by 670
Islam and Liberal Democracy: A Historical Overview
Lewis, B. L. (1996) · Journal of democracy · doi:10.1353/jod.1996.0030 · Cited by 638
Acetylcholine: a neurotransmitter for learning and memory?
Blokland, A. (1995) · Brain Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/0165-0173(95)00016-x · Cited by 616
Attenuation of scopolamine-induced impairment of spontaneous alternation behaviour by antagonist but not inverse agonist and agonist ?-carbolines
Sarter, M. F., Bodewitz, G., & Stephens, D. (1988) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/bf00212843 · Cited by 533

Show all 116 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

Douglas, 1975, vol. 2, 327
Hagan, 1988, vol. 20, 237

Sorted by citations

Items 501–600 of 638

Distribution, connection and function of ALDH1A1+/TH+ neurons in substantia nigra pars reticulata of mouse
Liu, H., Gong, Z., Zhao, L., Ye, T., Cao, A., He, S., Lin, S., Duan, J., & Lin, X. Z. (2023) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137555 · Cited by 2
“Then we calculate the spontaneous alternation rate for each test: (spontaneous alternation times/ (selection times (cid:0) 2)) * 100 % [19].”
Method
Selective Medial Septum Lesions in Healthy Rats Induce Longitudinal Changes in Microstructure of Limbic Regions, Behavioral Alterations, and Increased Susceptibility to Status Epilepticus
Luna‐Munguía, H., Gasca‐Martínez, D., Garay-Cortes, A., Coutiño, D., Regalado, M., Ríos, E. A. D. L., Villaseñor, P. J., Hidalgo-Flores, F., Flores-Guapo, K., Benito, B. Y., et al. (2024) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-024-04069-9 · Cited by 2
“On P70, this alternation task was used to measure spatial working memory during the exploratory activity of the animals [54].”
Method
Eplingiella fruticosa leaf essential oil complexed with β-cyclodextrin exerts a neuroprotective effect in an Alzheimer’s disease animal model induced by Streptozotocin
Alexandre-Silva, V., Soares‐Silva, B., Pereira, G. C., Custódio‐Silva, A. C., Carvalhinho-Lopes, P. S., Taliano, L. O., Lambertucci, R. H., Duarte, M. C., Araújo, A. A. D. S., Quintans‐Júnior, L. J., et al. (2024) · Metabolic Brain Disease · doi:10.1007/s11011-024-01484-8 · Cited by 2
“In rodents, this function can be accessed through the spontaneous alternation test (Hughes 2004 ).”
Chronic modulation of endocannabinoid receptors does not impact hyperactivity, risk behavior, and working memory in an animal model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Penna, D. B. D. S., Costa, S. G., Davis, M. P., Calaza, K. D. C., dos Santos‐Rodrigues, A., & Pandolfo, P. (2025) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2025.174059 · Cited by 2
Nicotine influence on cerebrovascular and neurocognitive function with in utero electronic cigarette exposure
Mills, A., Corbin, D. R., Dakhallah, D., Chantler, P. D., & Olfert, I. M. (2025) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jp289175 · Cited by 7
“The percentage of alternations per total entry was then calculated (Hughes, 2004) along with an average heat map to show time spent in the Y maze.”
Assessment of Neurobehavioral and Anti-Aging Effect of the Test Formulation in D-Galactose-Induced aging Dysfunction in Sprague Dawley Rats
Jana, S. (2020) · Scholarly Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.32474/sjpbs.2020.04.000193 · Cited by 2
“This behavioral test is used for the evaluation of cognitive functions like memory and learning ability of short-term work and is based on the natural instinct of rodents to explore unknown environments [37].”
Method
Working and Reference Memory Impairments Induced by Passive Chronic Cocaine Administration in Mice
Mañas‐Padilla, M. C., Ávila‐Gámiz, F., Gil‐Rodríguez, S., Salido, L. S., Santín, L. J., & Castilla‐Ortega, E. (2021) · Neuromethods · doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-1748-9_11 · Cited by 2
Long-term effects of post-ischaemic oestrogen on brain injury in a rat transient forebrain ischaemia model
Nagasaki, G., Horiguchi, T., Nishikawa, T., Masaki, Y., & Tobe, Y. (2013) · Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/aas.12172 · Cited by 2
“memory retention.(23) In our results, oestrogen treatment failed to improve spatial learning ability 7 days after ischaemia, suggesting that even histologically preserved hippocampal CA1 neurons after ischaemic insult might have impaired function.”
Background
Acute Administration of Methionine Affects Performance of Swiss Mice in Learning and Memory Paradigms.
Abi, I., Magaji, R. A., & Magaji, M. G. (2015) · Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences · Cited by 2
Evaluation of Armodafinil’s Anti-amnestic Activity in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia in Wistar rats
Katta, S. S., Sudheer, A., Chinni, S., & Kanala, S. R. (2023) · Journal of Young Pharmacists · doi:10.5530/097515050389 · Cited by 2
Effects of Aging and D-Glucose on Locomotor Activity, Spontaneous Alternation, and Plasma Glucose Levels in Preweanling Sprague-Dawley Rats
Flint, R. W., Papandrea, D., & Dorr, N. (2006) · Developmental Neuroscience · doi:10.1159/000091918 · Cited by 2
“For this task, animals are typically placed into a T-, Y-, or Plus maze where they display a natural tendency to enter each of the available alleys in the maze across sequential entries when given the opportunity to freely explore the maze [Hughes, 2004; Lalonde, 2002].”
Background
Levetiracetam and N-Cadherin Antibody Alleviate Brain Pathology Without Reducing Early Epilepsy Development After Focal Non-convulsive Status Epilepticus in Rats
Avdic, U., Ahl, M., Andersson, M., & Ekdahl, C. T. (2021) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.630154 · Cited by 2
“Thus, if working memory is impaired animals will score low on the measured parameters (29, 32, 33).”
Background
Evaluation of methods and applications for behavioural profiling of transgenic mice
Võikar, V. (2006) · Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja · Cited by 2
Restoring striatal WAVE-1 improves maze exploration performance of GluN1 knockdown micePreprint
Chen, Y., Milenkovic, M., Salahpour, A., Soderling, S. H., & Ramsey, A. J. (2018) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/341479 · Cited by 2
Sex-specific differences in rotarod performance and type 1 cannabinoid receptor levels in a rat model of traumatic brain injury treated with Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinolPreprint
Black, T., Zagoog, A., Roebuck, A. J., Greba, Q., Neary, J. P., Howland, J. G., & Laprairie, R. B. (2022) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2022.04.11.487790 · Cited by 3
“Y-maze Y-maze is a behavioral modality frequently used to assess the acute and chronic changes in spatial memory for both TBI and pharmacological investigation in rodents (Hughes, 2004).”
Method
Disease modification upon brief exposure to tofacitinib during chronic epilepsyPreprint
Hoffman, O. R., Koehler, J. L., Espina, J. E. C., Patterson, A. M., Gohar, E. S., Coleman, E. M., Schoenike, B. A., Espinosa‐García, C., Paredes, F., Varvel, N. H., et al. (2023) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2023.08.07.552299 · Cited by 2
Protection against APOE4 -associated aging phenotypes with the longevity-promoting intervention 17α-estradiol in male micePreprint
McGill, C. J., Christensen, A., Qian, W., Thorwald, M. A., Lugo, J. G., Namvari, S., White, O. S., Finch, C. E., Benayoun, B. A., & Pike, C. J. (2024) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2024.03.12.584678 · Cited by 2
“At 15 weeks animals were tested for spontaneous alternation behavior in the Y maze, a hippocampus-dependent task that assesses attention to novelty and spatial memory [79, 80].”
Method
Repurposing the plant-derived compound apigenin for senomorphic effect in antiaging pipelinesPreprint
Zhang, H., Xu, Q., Jiang, Z., Sun, R., Liu, S., Kirkland, J. L., Zhang, W., & Sun, Y. (2024) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2024.09.09.611999 · Cited by 2
Cognitive Disorders and Oxidative Stress Status Attenuated by Chrysophyllum Perpulchrum Extract in Alzheimer- like Rat Model of Intracerebroventricular Aβ1-40 injection
N’Go, P. K., Tehoua, L., Ahami, O. T. A., Azzaoui, F.-Z., & Aboussaleh, Y. (2021) · Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal · doi:10.13005/bpj/2220 · Cited by 2
Neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects of N-methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)propan-2-amine (methamnetamine) and 1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinylpentane (prolintane)
Jeong, S., Yoon, K. S., Lee, J., Jo, E. S., Kim, D., & Choi, S. O. (2022) · Drug and Chemical Toxicology · doi:10.1080/01480545.2022.2049289 · Cited by 1
“Spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) of mice in the drugadministered group was monitored to identify their spatial working memory capacity (Ruth et al. 1988, Hughes 2004).”
Method
Experimental Psychopharmacology
Simola, N. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-62059-2_3 · Cited by 1
Investigating Hippocampal Lateralization: Effects of Nickel on Neurobiological, AchE Activity, and Neurobehavioral Changes in the Wistar Rats
Brouzi, M. Y. E., Lamtai, M., Bousalham, R., Zghari, O., Abouyaala, O., Baghdad, W., Fath, N., Hamzaoui, A. E., Rezqaoui, A., Otmani, R. E., et al. (2025) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-025-05251-3 · Cited by 1
“The FST was used to evaluate the depressive state change, according to the protocol described by [49], Detection of the presence of depressive activity is marked by a significant decrease in the TST or an increase in the IT.”
Exploring Ochradenus baccatus: A Novel Source of Bioactive Compounds and Phytochemical Insights for Uncharted Therapeutic Applications
Saddeek, S. (2025) · Life · doi:10.3390/life15091448 · Cited by 1
“%) and total arm entries [35].”
Cognitive stimulation exerts long-lasting protective effects on the hippocampal vasculature and memory function in a rat model of vascular cognitive impairment
Chapman, A. C., Thaqi, A., Kalish, R. L., Deng, B., DeMarco, G. M., Shehryar, A., Baumoel, E. J., Bergson, P., & Papavangjeli, S. (2025) · npj Aging · doi:10.1038/s41514-025-00304-2 · Cited by 1
Downregulation of integrin α3 in ADHD mirrored in mutant mouse model by dopamine-dependent hippocampal AMPAR expression
Yao, X., Chen, R., Zhu, J., Hou, R., Xiang, S., Jia, T., Gu, Y., Wang, Z., Hu, H., Chen, H., et al. (2025) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-025-03399-x · Cited by 1
Longitudinal brain-wide recordings reveal early neurophysiological alterations in memory-impaired mice
Eldaly, A. B. M., Agadagba, S. K., Verma, A., Li, K., Lim, L. W., & Chan, L. L.-H. (2025) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.12.035 · Cited by 1
Exploring the Anticonvulsant and Neuropreventive Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Extract in the Pentylenetetrazole-Kindling Model: Analysis of Cognitive Comorbidities Associated with Epilepsy
Abdessamad, I. R., Bahbiti, Y., Rezqaoui, A., Mekhlouf, Y. E., Fatima, A., Razzak, S., Aboubaker, E. H., & Mesfioui, A. (2026) · Neurochemical Research · doi:10.1007/s11064-026-04663-4 · Cited by 1
“The Spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) version of Y-maze testing as described by Hughes [26] was employed for this study to evaluate the Spatial Working Memory Test.”
Behavioral and biomarker assessment of flavonols as multifunctional neuroprotective nootropic agents
Mughal, E. U., Naeem, N., Raish, M., Shakoor, B., Sadiq, A., Shah, S. W. A., Ahmed, M. N., Zahoor, M., Ahmed, I., & Ghias, M. (2026) · Future Medicinal Chemistry · doi:10.1080/17568919.2026.2628521 · Cited by 1
Cannabidiol attenuates methamphetamine-induced psychosis via anti-oxidative stress: σ1R-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction as a critical pathway
Liu, L., Wang, C., Tian, Y., Yin, Y., Rao, M., Tao, H., Luo, C., Li, J., & Zeng, X. (2026) · Phytomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158015 · Cited by 1
Establishing the phytochemical profile of Fragaria indica and exploring its amnesic potential in animal models
Ullah, R., Khan, A., Zahoor, M., Shah, S. W. A., & Hayat, M. F. (2026) · Phytomedicine Plus · doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100975 · Cited by 1
Box-Behnken optimization of hyaluronan-enriched pegylated novasomal in situ gel for brain targeting of sildenafil citrate as a potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease; in vitro characterization, ex vivo/in vivo assessment
Shoman, N. A., Salama, A., Adel, N., Elnahas, O. S., El-Mancy, S. S., & El-Dahmy, R. M. (2026) · Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology · doi:10.1016/j.jddst.2026.108645 · Cited by 1
Adenosine 2A receptor drives microglial efferocytosis to accelerate white matter repair and functional recovery after stroke
Deng, Y., He, Q., Yao, B., Chen, X., Cheng, G., Xu, M., Hu, J., Graça, L., Zhu, X., Zhang, X., et al. (2026) · Science Signaling · doi:10.1126/scisignal.aea4402 · Cited by 1
N-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine enhance object location and working memory performances via modulating CaMKII, ERK and CREB phosphorylation
Iwashita, H., Sano, M., Kawaguchi, M., & Chiba, A. (2023) · Neuroreport · doi:10.1097/wnr.0000000000001893 · Cited by 1
Effect of hypercholestermic diet on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) deposition with some behavior alterations in male rats
Raheem, H. A., Albazi, W. J., Altaee, R., & Jhoni, G. H. (2023) · Journal of Kerbala for Agricultural Sciences · doi:10.59658/jkas.v10i2.1188 · Cited by 1
The sex-dependent impact of PER2 polymorphism on sleep and activity in a novel mouse model of cranial-irradiation-induced hypersomnolence
Adegbesan, K., Tomassoni‐Ardori, F., Yanpallewar, S. U., Bradley, S. P., Chudasama, Y., Vera, E. M., Briceno, N., King, A. L., Tessarollo, L., Gilbert, M. R., et al. (2023) · Neuro-Oncology Advances · doi:10.1093/noajnl/vdad108 · Cited by 1
The beneficial role of resveratrol on chlorpyrifos-induced cognitive impairment and lipid peroxidation biomarker in Swiss albino mice
Adamu, B., Alhassan, A. W., Saleh, M. I. A., Aliyu, M., Iliya, B. T., Zuberu, J., Yusuf, A., Garkuwa, ⁠. A., & Lawan, I. Y. (2017) · Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences · doi:10.4314/bajopas.v10i1.4 · Cited by 1
“An alternation is defined as entry into all three arms consecutively (Hughes, 2004), for instance if the animal makes the following arm entries; A,C,C.”
BackgroundInfluential
Laboratory rats as pets: The potential role of neonatal handling schedule for their life in and after the lab
Chaniotakis, I., Diamantakos, E., Rizou, V., Moltsanidou, E., Kotopoulis, C., Thavarajah, M., Polissidis, A., & Kostomitsopoulos, N. G. (2020) · Pet Behaviour Science · doi:10.21071/pbs.vi10.12480
Characterization of Male OF1cenp Mice with Age-Induced Cognitive Decline
Esquivel, N., García, Y., Carvajal, O., & Martínez, C. R. (2022) · International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research · doi:10.26855/ijcemr.2022.04.002 · Cited by 1
“Y-maze task (spontaneous alternation): it allows evaluating the spatial memory of short-term work [9] and in this study it was used the methodology described by García and Esquivel (2018) [10].”
Method
Thiamine deficiency-induced neurodegeneration and neurogenesis
Vetreno, R. P. (n.d.) · ProQuest Demo Repository · Cited by 1
A Test of Memory: The Fish, The Mouse, The Fly And The HumanPreprint
Cleal, M., Fontana, B. D., Ranson, D. C., McBride, S. D., Swinny, J. D., Redhead, E. S., & Parker, M. O. (2020) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2020.02.15.950816 · Cited by 1
“Despite the short run time making this task popular for assessing working memory, (Hughes, 2004) highlights practical concerns resulting in an unfavourable view of the continuous Y-maze.”
Background
Antipsychotic Agents
Ablordeppey, S. Y., & Ofori, E. (2021) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/0471266949.bmc103.pub3 · Cited by 1
Shedding light on left hippocampal mGlu5 in Alzheimer’s diseasePreprint
Zussy, C., Mathias, M., Vitalis, M., Gómez‐Santacana, X., Goudet, C., Desrumaux, C. M., Llebaria, A., & Givalois, L. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.10.03.680254 · Cited by 1
Fus depleted oligodendrocytes reduce neuronal damage and attenuate AD progression in the App NL-G-F mousePreprint
Tung, T.-H., Babu, S., Tang, X., Sciutto, A., Romer, M. A., Racha, P., Fiesler, V. M., Saha, A., Saito, T., Saido, T. C., et al. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.11.24.689041 · Cited by 1
Advancing rodent models of the behaviours and the neurobiological pathology associated with schizophrenia
Madularu, D. (2014) · Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University)
PHARMACOLOGICAL AND GENETIC MODULATION OF EPISODIC-LIKE MEMORY IN THE MOUSE
Zlomuzica, A. (2009) · Univ. Duesseldorf: Duesseldorfer Dokumenten- und Publikationsserver
Spontaneous Alternation Behavior in Human Neutrophils
Karen, A. (2012) · InTech eBooks · doi:10.5772/47851
“Psychol Bull;45:1–40.502; R.N. Hughes (2004)Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 28, 497–505 Thorndike EL, The Psychology of Learning, N. Y., Teachers College, 1914 Tolman EC.”
BackgroundInfluential
The role of GABAB(1) receptor isoforms in anxiety and depression : genetic and pharmacological studies in the mouse
Jacobson, L. H. (2007) · edoc (University of Basel) · doi:10.5451/unibas-004290851
“Although there are criticism of continuous SAB as a cognitive task per se (Hughes 2004), results of the present study suggest that both the GABAB(1) isoforms may have a role in working spatial memory.”
Result
Issues and implications of turn alternation in invertebrates: A review
KAWAI, T. (2011) · Japanese Journal of Animal Psychology · doi:10.2502/janip.61.1.12
The GluK4 Kainate Receptor Subunit Regulates Mood, Memory and Excitotoxic Neurodegeneration
Lowry, E. R. (2025) · Digital Commons - RU (Rockefeller University) · doi:10.48496/jf25-wz42
Phenylketonuria: towards mechanism-based treatment
de Groot, M. J. (2015) · University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology)
Emotional regulation and the limbic system associated membrane protein.
Catania, E. H. (2008) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Experimental Models of Brain Hemorrhage Using Clostridial Collagenase
Lekic, T. (2010) · The Scholars Repository - LLU (Loma Linda University)
Inflammatory pathology in neurodegenerative dementias
Niedermayer, G. (2014)
Adolescence as a vulnerable period for the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic regulators of neurogenesis on cognitive behaviour
O’Leary, J. D. (2017) · Cork Open Research Archive (University College Cork, Ireland)
Attenuating Effects ofMyrothamnus flabellifoliusHydroethanolic Extract on Aluminium chloride Induced Amnesia in BALB/c Mice
Gadaga, L. L., Zvidzayi, V. R., & Tagwireyi, D. (2019) · Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature · doi:10.1080/22311866.2019.1642797
Beneficial effects of quetiapine in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice: implications for early intervention for Alzheimer's disease
Zhu, S. (2011) · Mspace (University of Manitoba)
CHARACTERIZATION AND TARGETING OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Black, T. (2020) · HARVEST (University of Saskatchewan)
Cognitive dysfunction in mice lacking proper glucocorticoid receptor dimerization
Looveren, K. V., Boxelaere, M. V., Callaerts‐Vegh, Z., & Libert, C. (2020) · Yearbook of pediatric endocrinology · doi:10.1530/ey.17.8.2
Adrenergic alpha-2 receptor antagonists regulate noise–induced metabolic and cognitive changes in ratsPreprint
Manukyan, A. L., Grigoryan, A., Hunanyan, L. S., Harutyunyan, H. A., Sukiasyan, L. M., & Melkonyan, M. (2020) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-105936/v1
“Spontaneous alternation was de ned as consecutive entries in 3 different arms (A, B, C), divided by the number of possible alternations [25].”
Background
Protein-protein Interactions Provide a Platform for G-protein-coupled Receptors to Exert Physiological and Pathological Functions in Central Nervous System: Therapeutic Potential?
Lai, T. K. Y. (2019) · TSpace (University of Toronto)
Thrombin generation testing to monitor warfarin anticoagulation in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome patients
Efthymiou, M., Lawrie, A. S., Mackie, I. J., Machin, S. J., & Cohen, H. (2013)
Experimental Psychopharmacology
Simola, N. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56015-1_3-1
Ca V 3.1 T-type calcium channels regulate spatial memory processing in the dorsal subiculumPreprint
Joksimovic, S. M., Ghodsi, S. M., Heinsbroek, J. A., Orfila, J. E., Busquet, N., Tešić, V., Valdez, R., Fine-Raquet, B., Jevtović‐Todorović, V., Raol, Y. H., et al. (2022) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2022.04.27.489701
“The Y-maze is a relatively simple, non-invasive, test for measuring spatial working memory, which heavily depends on the hippocampal activity (Hughes, 2004).”
Background
Adrenergic Alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists Regulate Noise–induced Metabolic and Cognitive Changes in RatsPreprint
Manukyan, A. L., Hunanyan, L. S., Grigoryan, A., Harutyunyan, H. A., Sukiasyan, L. M., & Melkonyan, M. (2020) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-136444/v1
Faculty Opinions recommendation of Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents.
Hollander, E., & Uzunova, G. (2020) · Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature · doi:10.3410/f.735236753.793581300
Treadmill running regulates adult neurogenesis, spatial and non-spatial learning by ErbB4 signalingPreprint
Yi, Y., Song, Y., Liu, B., & Lu, Y. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-122649/v2
Cumulative Doxorubicin Dosage is a Triggering Factor for Cognitive Dysfunction?Preprint
Amaro-Leal, Â., Machado, F., Afonso, A., Rocha, I., & Geraldes, V. (2022) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4139218
Gene dosage determines the behavioural phenotype in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease: analysis of the contribution of brain insulin signalling and gut microbiotaPreprint
Vera, D. M., Zambrana-Infantes, E. N., López-Gambero, A. J., Gonzalez-Jimenez, A., Navarro, J. A., Pavón, F. J., Baixerás, E., Santín, L. J., Suárez, J., Rosell‐Valle, C., et al. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2087511/v1
Physical exercise promotes memory function in diabetes mellitus rats: a look at glucagon like peptide-1 and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor
Andraini, T., Mardatillah, J., Kartinah, N. T., Paramita, N., Santoso, ‪. I. S., Yolanda, S., Puspasari, B. C., & Rusli, H. (2022) · Comparative Exercise Physiology · doi:10.3920/cep220020
Selective medial septum lesions in healthy rats induce longitudinal changes in microstructure of limbic regions, behavioral alterations, and increased susceptibility to status epilepticusPreprint
Luna‐Munguía, H., Gasca‐Martínez, D., Garay-Cortes, A., Coutiño, D., Regalado, M., Rios, E. D. L., Villaseñor, P. J., Hidalgo-Flores, F., Flores-Guapo, K., Benito, B. Y., et al. (2023) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3314951/v1
Alpha lipoic acid improved spatial working memory and reduced acetylcholinesterase levels in type-2 diabetic Wistar rats
Garkuwa, ⁠. A., Saleh, M. I. A., Alhassan, A., & Kawu, M. U. (2023) · Journal of Pharmacy and Allied Medicine · doi:10.58985/jpam.2023.v01i02.10
Tenuifolin Improves Learning and Memory by Regulating Long-Term Potentiation and Dendritic Structure of Hippocampal CA1 Area in Female Mice But Not MalePreprint
Kong, H., Han, Y., Yang, G.-L., Li, K., Yu, L., Xie, X.-K., Xia, G.-Y., & Li, C. (2023) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4642619
Mitochondrial Ca2+ Handling in the Central Nervous System: the role of the mitochondrial Na+>/sup sup<2+ exchanger (NCLX) in astrocyte metabolism and function
Costa, J. V. C. (2022) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/t.46.2022.tde-07112023-151721
Urolithin a Alleviates Schizophrenia-Like Cognitive Impairments in Male Rats Following Maternal SeparationPreprint
Huang, Z., Ren, Z., Xiao, L., Xie, Y., Ling, Y., Wang, G., & Zhou, B. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4880658
Boldness and learning in an active foraging lizard
Patiño, C. A. R., Mastachi-Loza, C., Carmen-Cristóbal, J. M., & Ruiz-Gomez, M. D. (2025) · Behavioural Processes · doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2025.105174
Cecal slurry-induced sepsis in mice impairs cognition and decreases SUMO-2/3 conjugation
Queiroz, L. Y., Mariot, L. N., Soares, E. S., Stahler, C. U., Griebner, G., Machado, G. D. M., Gissoni, J. M., Canever, J. B., Sordi, R., & Cimarosti, H. (2025) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2025.115544
Tryptophan supplementation reduces body weight but does not decrease anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish
de Sousa, P. S. L., Vasquez, J. J. B., Daza-Cardona, E. A., da Conceição, Y. R. S., & Gouvêia, A. (2025) · Caderno Pedagógico · doi:10.54033/cadpedv22n5-228
Effect of Lacatomtom Drink on Spatial Memory in Male Wistar Rat
Owemidu, I. O., Titus, E. F., Mohammed, N., & Jimoh, O. A. (2025) · Tropical Journal of Phytochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences · doi:10.26538/tjpps/v4i3.3
Acute administration of lovastatin had no pronounced effect on motor abilities, motor coordination, gait nor simple cognition in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome
Fenton, T. A., Petkova, S. P., Adhikari, A., & Silverman, J. L. (2025) · Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders · doi:10.1186/s11689-025-09616-6
“When placed within a maze with multiple arms, mice exhibit the spontane-ous behavior of alternating between arm choices with a greater frequency than re-entering the same arm most recently visited [80, 84, 85].”
Cognitive and anti-inflammatory effects of Palmaria palmata in a schizophrenia mouse model: insights into CREB signaling, Iba-1 expression, and CD4+ cell modulation
Yousof, S. M., Alghamdi, B. S. A., Alqurashi, T. M. A., Alam, M. Z., Tash, R. F., El‐Fadeal, N. M. A., Abusikkien, S. A., & Kaddam, L. A. (2025) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2025.1551764
“Consecutive entries into three different arms without repetition are defined as spontaneous alteration behavior (Kraeuter et al., 2019; Hughes, 2004; Prieur and Jadavji, 2019).”
Rearing in a Shelved Environment Chronically Modifies Offspring Behaviour and Physiology
Bigelow, L. J., Pope, E., Ousley, C. G., McGrattan, A. E., MacDonald, D. S., & Bernard, P. B. (2025) · European Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1111/ejn.70199
“…noted that the continuous spontaneous alternation task was chosen as opposed to the discrete since rats maintain high arm entry rates when allowed to continuously explore; however, the inter-trial interval between arm entries is not controlled (Hughes 2004) potentially complicating interpretation.”
Cannabidiol improves short-term memory in a Streptozotocin-induced animal model of Alzheimer’s diseasePreprint
Pereira, G. C., Silva, V. A., Soares‐Silva, B., Taliano, L. O., Carvalhinho-Lopes, P. S., Custódio‐Silva, A. C., Silva, E., Lambertucci, R. H., Abílio, V. C., dos Santos, J. R., et al. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-7197783/v1
Whole-body Loss of FSP27 Impairs Cognitive Function via Disruption of Neuro-Metabolic PathwaysPreprint
Pugh, A., Bhasin, A., Aleshire, C., Basri, R., Becker, C. C., Puri, I., Hussein, H., Mckinney, K., Tenerowicz, K., Vijayan, M., et al. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.07.28.667235
“To assess behavioral outcomes, we conducted a series of neurobehavioral tests, including the Morris Water Maze(32), Labyrinth Maze(33), and Y-Maze(34, 35) with wild-type (WT) and Fsp27 -/- mice.”
Long-Term Neuroprotective Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Water and Memantine in Chronic Radiation-Induced Brain Injury: Behavioral, Histological, and Molecular Insights
Xu, K., Liu, H., Wang, Y., He, Y., Liu, M., Lu, H., Wang, Y., Niu, P., & Qin, X. (2025) · Antioxidants · doi:10.3390/antiox14080948
“The Y-Maze spontaneous alternation behavior test is widely used to assess spatial working memory, exploration tendency, and cognitive deficits in rodents [22].”
Regorafenib modulates glucose metabolism, insulin/GLP-1 signaling, and tau pathology in an STZ-induced model of Alzheimer's disease
Salarinasab, S., Taei, A. A., Kaveh, N., Karima, S., Nikzamir, A., & Dargahi, L. (2025) · Naunyn-Schmiedeberg s Archives of Pharmacology · doi:10.1007/s00210-025-04545-6
“The Y-maze spontaneous alternation test was used to assess spatial working memory and cognitive flexibility, as impairment in this task is a sensitive marker of early cognitive dysfunction in rodent models (Prajapati And Krishnamurthy 2021; Tekam et al. 2023; Hughes 2004).”
Memory deficits induced by a high-fat diet are reduced by HIIT and time-restricted feeding
Zeynali, F., Delfan, M., Laher, I., & Zouhal, H. (2025) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115145
Age-Dependent Effects of Paraquat-Induced Parkinsonism on Serum Alpha-Synuclein Expression, Substantia Nigra Histoarchitecture and Neurobehaviour in Male Wistar RatsPreprint
Ichie, K. E., Asomugha, L. A., & Okafor, I. A. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.11.20.689379
“Higher alternation rates indicated improved spatial working memory[59].”
Neuroscience research: related to the neuropathology of schizophrenia, neuroendocrinology of obesity, and brain map
Huang, X. (2011) · Research Online (University of Wollongong)
Additional file 1 of Evaluation of neuroprotective and anti-amnesic effects of Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. On scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice
Nazir, N., Zahoor, M., Nisar, M., Karim, N., Latif, A., Ahmad, S., & Uddin, Z. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12291446
Additional file 7 of Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice
Santos‐García, I., Rodríguez‐Cueto, C., Villegas, P., Piscitelli, F., Lauritano, A., Shen, C.-K. J., Marzo, V. D., Fernández‐Ruíz, J., & de Lago, E. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26587602
Additional file 2 of Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice
Santos‐García, I., Rodríguez‐Cueto, C., Villegas, P., Piscitelli, F., Lauritano, A., Shen, C.-K. J., Marzo, V. D., Fernández‐Ruíz, J., & de Lago, E. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26587587
Additional file 1 of Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice
Santos‐García, I., Rodríguez‐Cueto, C., Villegas, P., Piscitelli, F., Lauritano, A., Shen, C.-K. J., Marzo, V. D., Fernández‐Ruíz, J., & de Lago, E. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26587584
Additional file 5 of Key role of the CCR2-CCL2 axis in disease modification in a mouse model of tauopathy
Ben-Yehuda, H., Arad, M., Ramos, J. M. P., Sharon, E., Castellani, G., Ferrera, S., Cahalon, L., Colaiuta, S. P., Salame, T.-M., & Schwartz, M. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14850601
Additional file 3 of Key role of the CCR2-CCL2 axis in disease modification in a mouse model of tauopathy
Ben-Yehuda, H., Arad, M., Ramos, J. M. P., Sharon, E., Castellani, G., Ferrera, S., Cahalon, L., Colaiuta, S. P., Salame, T.-M., & Schwartz, M. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14850595
Additional file 5 of Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice
Santos‐García, I., Rodríguez‐Cueto, C., Villegas, P., Piscitelli, F., Lauritano, A., Shen, C.-K. J., Marzo, V. D., Fernández‐Ruíz, J., & de Lago, E. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26587596
Additional file 3 of Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice
Santos‐García, I., Rodríguez‐Cueto, C., Villegas, P., Piscitelli, F., Lauritano, A., Shen, C.-K. J., Marzo, V. D., Fernández‐Ruíz, J., & de Lago, E. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26587590
Additional file 4 of Key role of the CCR2-CCL2 axis in disease modification in a mouse model of tauopathy
Ben-Yehuda, H., Arad, M., Ramos, J. M. P., Sharon, E., Castellani, G., Ferrera, S., Cahalon, L., Colaiuta, S. P., Salame, T.-M., & Schwartz, M. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14850598
Tryptophan supplementation reduces body weight but does not reduce anxiety-like behavior in zebrafishPreprint
de Sousa, P. S. L., Buenhombre, J., Daza-Cardona, E. A., Richard, Y., & Gouvêia, A. (2024) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4151627/v1
Additional file 8 of Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice
Santos‐García, I., Rodríguez‐Cueto, C., Villegas, P., Piscitelli, F., Lauritano, A., Shen, C.-K. J., Marzo, V. D., Fernández‐Ruíz, J., & de Lago, E. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26587605
Additional file 2 of Key role of the CCR2-CCL2 axis in disease modification in a mouse model of tauopathy
Ben-Yehuda, H., Arad, M., Ramos, J. M. P., Sharon, E., Castellani, G., Ferrera, S., Cahalon, L., Colaiuta, S. P., Salame, T.-M., & Schwartz, M. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14850592

Authors: Hughes, R. N.
Affiliations: University of Canterbury (NZ)
Corresponding author: Hughes, Robert N.
Venue: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2004-09
Volume: 28
Issue: 5
Pages: 497-505
ISSN: 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.06.006
OpenAlex: W2143302321
Cited by: 641
References: 116
Citations by year: 2026: 37 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 24
FWCI: 0.65
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
Keywords: spatial memory, memory retention, T-maze, Y-maze, responsiveness to change, drug effects on memory, attentional processes, motivation
MeSH terms: Acetylcholine, Animals, Attention, Behavior, Animal, Brain Chemistry, Humans, Light, Memory, Reinforcement, Psychology, Smell, Space Perception

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

The value of spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) as a test of retention in pharmacological investigations of memory

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks