The Object Recognition Test (ORT) is a widely used, low-stress behavioral assay to evaluate learning and memory in mice over a simple 3-day protocol: habituation, training, and testing. Mice naturally prefer novelty, so during testing they spend more time exploring a new object if they remember the familiar one eliminating the need for rewards, punishments, or extended training. The test is highly adaptable: retention intervals can be adjusted to assess short- or long-term memory, and pharmacological interventions can target specific phases like acquisition, consolidation, or recall. Overall, ORT offers an efficient, flexible approach to detect neuropsychological changes following genetic, biological, or drug-based manipulations.
