Discrimination Index
(Novel - Familiar) / (Novel + Familiar) preference ratio
ConductVision · Behavioral Analysis
Novel Object Recognition
Evaluate recognition memory with automated head-tracking exploration analysis.
RodentRecognition MemoryAuto Export
ConductVision / Novel Object Recognition
Recording / Trial 3subject tracked
Discrimination Index0.35
Novel Exploration24s
Total Exploration42s
Key Parameters
Metrics automatically extracted by ConductVision.
Recognition Index
Proportion of exploration devoted to the novel object
Novel Object Exploration
Total investigation time at the novel object
Familiar Object Exploration
Total investigation time at the familiar object
Total Exploration Time
Combined investigation time at both objects
Latency to Novel Object
Time to first contact with the novel object
+ 6 more parameters trackedShow allHide
Contact Frequency (Novel)
Number of approach bouts to the novel object
Contact Frequency (Familiar)
Number of approach bouts to the familiar object
Mean Bout Duration
Average length of individual investigation episodes
Locomotion
Total distance traveled during the test session
Time in Object Zones
Duration within proximity zones around each object
Familiarization Exploration
Exploration during the sample phase with identical objects
What is Novel Object Recognition?
Novel Object Recognition evaluates recognition memory by quantifying the difference in exploration time between familiar and novel objects. Animals with intact memory spend significantly more time investigating the novel object, providing a sensitive index of cognitive function.
ConductVision's automated head-tracking system precisely measures exploration time for each object, discrimination index, and recognition index. Up to four animals can be tracked simultaneously for moderate-throughput study designs.
Protocol Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Arena Size | Open field arena for NOR testing | 40 × 40 cm (mouse) / 60 × 60 cm (rat) |
| Familiarization Duration | Sample phase with two identical objects | 5–10 min |
| Retention Interval | Delay between sample and test phases | 1 h (short-term) / 24 h (long-term) |
| Test Duration | Recognition test with novel + familiar objects | 5 min |
| Minimum Exploration | Minimum total exploration for trial inclusion | 20 s (combined) |
| Exploration Definition | Criterion for object investigation | Nose within 2 cm, oriented toward object |
| Object Height | Object size suitable for investigation | 8–12 cm |
| Object Material | Non-porous, cleanable objects | Glass, ceramic, or plastic |
| Object Counterbalancing | Object role alternation across subjects | Novel/familiar counterbalanced |
| Light Intensity | Overhead illumination | 40–60 lux |
| Arena Habituation | Empty arena exposure before sample phase | 5–10 min, day before |
Interpreting Results
↓
Decreased Discrimination Index
Impaired recognition memory — DI near zero indicates failure to distinguish novel from familiar, seen in scopolamine model and Tg2576 Alzheimer's mice.
↓
Reduced Novel Object Exploration
Memory deficit or anhedonia — less investigation of the novel object despite intact total exploration suggests recognition failure.
↓
Decreased Total Exploration
Motivational or motor confound — low overall exploration invalidates DI calculation; trials below minimum threshold should be excluded.
↑
Increased Latency to Novel Object
Neophobia or anxiety — delayed approach to the novel object may indicate anxiety-like behavior rather than memory deficit.
↑
Enhanced Discrimination at 24h
Improved long-term recognition memory — DI improvement at 24h vs 1h delay seen with cognitive enhancers (donepezil, modafinil).
↓
DI Decline from 1h to 24h
Impaired memory consolidation — normal short-term but impaired long-term recognition indicates consolidation-phase vulnerability.
Research Applications
Cognitive Enhancement
- Cholinergic drugs — donepezil and galantamine rescue of scopolamine-induced NOR deficit
- Nootropics screening — modafinil, racetams, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors
- Memory consolidation — protein synthesis inhibitors and CREB pathway modulators
Neurodegeneration
- Alzheimer's models — Tg2576, APP/PS1, and 5xFAD recognition memory deficits
- Perirhinal cortex function — NOR is perirhinal-dependent, complementing hippocampal spatial tasks
- Aging — age-related recognition memory decline across rodent strains
Psychiatric & Neurodevelopmental
- Schizophrenia — PCP and MK-801 models with NOR deficits reversed by atypical antipsychotics
- Traumatic brain injury — recognition memory as a sensitive cognitive endpoint post-injury
- Prenatal stress — maternal stress effects on offspring recognition memory
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