Location and temporal memory of objects declines in aged marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 28;11(1):9138. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88357-7.

Abstract

Episodic memory decline is an early marker of cognitive aging in human. Although controversial in animals and called "episodic-like memory", several models have been successfully developed, however they rarely focused on ageing. While marmoset is an emerging primate model in aging science, episodic-like memory has never been tested in this species and importantly in aged marmosets. Here, we examined if the recall of the what-when and what-where building blocks of episodic-like memory declines in ageing marmosets. We developed a naturalistic approach using spontaneous exploration of real objects by young and old marmosets in the home cage. We implemented a three-trial task with 1 week inter-trial interval. Two different sets of identical objects were presented in sample trials 1 and 2, respectively. For the test trial, two objects from each set were presented in a former position and two in a new one. We quantified the exploratory behaviour and calculated discrimination indices in a cohort of 20 marmosets. Young animals presented a preserved memory for combined what-where, and what-when components of the experiment, which declined with aging. These findings lead one to expect episodic-like memory deficits in aged marmosets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Callithrix / physiology*
  • Cognitive Aging*
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Exploratory Behavior
  • Female
  • Male
  • Memory, Episodic*