Spatial problem solving in a dual runway task by normal and septal rats.

The addition of a dual runway configuration did not disrupt the successful performance of normal animals, nor did it improve the deficit of septal rats on the Maier three-table spatial integration task. Both groups of animals displayed a preference for the outside runway configuration during exploration. During testing, however, septal animals retained this preference, whereas normal subjects attempted solution by using the inside runway configuration. This fact, in addition to the apparent lack of a habituation pattern during exploration, suggests that septal animals do not acquire a spatial representation of the test situation. It is suggested that the inability of septal rats in spatial situations is due to an inability to form rather than an inability to use spatial maps.