Effects of dorsal-striatum lesions and fimbria-fornix lesions on the problem-solving strategies of rats in a shallow water maze

In solving a spatial problem, animals can use a place, cue, or response strategy. The present research was designed to evaluate the role of dorsal striatum (DS) in spatial problem solving and to compare it with that of fimbria fornix (FF). Rats were trained with a place + cue task in a shallow pool, then were divided into three groups (DS, FF, control), and lesions were made in the corresponding areas. After retraining, four probe tests were given: Test 1 (start position moved), Test 2 (goal and start positions moved), Test 3 (invisible goal), and Test 4 (curtain test). The test results suggest that the DS and Control groups performed the original task by using the place strategy, whereas the FF group used the cue strategy, which strongly implies that the DS group was impaired in the use of the cue strategy. This research also provides evidence supporting the usefulness of a shallow pool in evaluating animal behavior.