Validação do labirinto de Lashley III para ratos: estudo piloto para procedimentos metodológicos e análise de dados em investigações sobre aprendizagem e memória

Abstract

Cannabis sativa contains several bioactive compounds, among which cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted increasing scientific interest due to its therapeutic potential in various neurological and psychiatric conditions. In this context, the use of experimental models capable of assessing cognitive processes related to learning and memory is of great importance. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of Wistar rats in the Lashley III Maze, contributing to the validation of its application in this species and establishing reference parameters for future investigations. A total of 30 animals were assessed over 14 experimental sessions, and the variables Latency, Errors, and Distance Traveled were analyzed. The results demonstrated a progressive reduction in these variables throughout training, indicating gradual task acquisition and spatial learning. The Friedman test revealed statistically significant differences across the experimental sessions (p < 0.001). The Savings Score indicated an average reduction of 66.7% in Latency, 68.8% in Errors, and 46.5% in Distance Traveled compared to the initial session, demonstrating increased efficiency in task performance throughout training. Furthermore, K-Means cluster analysis identified three distinct learning profiles among the animals. It is concluded that the rats showed consistent improvement in performance, demonstrating the sensitivity of the Lashley III Maze to detect behavioral changes associated with spatial learning and supporting its application as an assessment tool. These findings contribute to the validation of the experimental protocol and provide reference parameters for future investigations involving learning and memory processes.