The APA is a circular metal arena featuring a shock grid beneath a rotating platform. Rodents are given the opportunity to explore the arena, using visual cues to avoid a designated prohibited sector. If the rodent enters this restricted area, it receives a mild shock as a form of punishment. Passive avoidance is measured when the arena is stationary, while active avoidance is assessed when the arena is in motion.

The Active Place Avoidance Arena is designed to evaluate spatial navigation and memory in rodents. The rotating platform complicates the task by requiring continuous movement to avoid the shock zone, thereby eliminating simple associative learning. The dry surface of the arena makes it particularly suitable for studying spatial navigation in young rodents. This tool is effective for examining the impact of brain lesions, pharmacological treatments, and neurological disorders on spatial learning and memory.

MazeEngineers provides the Active Place Avoidance apparatus for these studies.