ИСТИНА

Multifaceted cognitive ability in selected mouse line OV Perepelkina, AYuTarassova, IG Lilp,II Poletaeva Different types of learning, logic problem solving, spatial orientation, neophylia, attention –all these behavioral categories are included in the term “animal cognition”. The selection of mice for the definite cognitive trait – the ability to solve the “extrapolation task” was not successful in the “straightforward” sense, as it was in cases of selection for different learning skills. “Extrapolation” task impliesabilityof an animal to follow (mentally) the direction of food movement after it disappears from its view and then to locate the food reward. The variability of correct choices proportion along selection generations was found both in the non-random performance evaluation and in comparison with the scores of non-selected control mouse population. At the same time the performance of mice from the selected line was persistently higher in another cognitive problem solving – the puzzle box (burrowing) task, based on innate avoidance of brightly lit space. These data could be explained if we suggest that brain network program which realizes the solution of extrapolation task (ie providing the respective executive function) is much more complicated, than that in case of burrowing task. This complexity could be due to recent memory, attention, reaction to novelty domains each of which could possess its own signaling pathways and brain substrates.Although, the selection for the cognitive trait could be regarded as successful.Biology Department, Moscow State University, Moscow, RFBR #16-04, Education Ministry program № N NIOKTR ААА-А16-116021660055-1, RUSSIA