Oasis maze

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The oasis maze is a tool used in psychology and neuroscience research, usually to test spatial memory. It is the dry land version of the Morris water maze. The maze consists of an enclosed space (usually the same shape and dimensions of the space used in the water maze) in which a small amount of water is hidden. A thirsty rat is then placed in the maze and is taught where the water is by trial and error. The maze tests memory by allowing the researcher to record the rat's performance on this task after it is learned and various time intervals or other events supposedly disruptive to memory have occurred.

This technique was used recently (2005) by Clark R.E., Broadbent N.J., and Squire L.R. to investigate long-term spatial memory in rats with temporary hippocampal lesions.