Protocol to investigate the gradual selection and deployment of goal-oriented search strategies during unsupervised navigation in mice

The ability of rodents to effectively navigate in an environment is based on trial-and-error learning and flexible decision-making and can be analyzed via navigational trajectories. We present a protocol for studying the deployment of search strategies in mice using the Morris water maze. We describe steps for assigning mice to different maze variations and procedures for post-training tracking and analysis. This protocol represents an effective behavioral readout to probe brain networks involved in strategy deployment and goal-oriented behavior. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Parrini et al.¹.