Self-Administration TTL Interface
24 events · BNC-6 multi-channel · 4 chambers
Overview
The Self-Administration TTL interface provides 6 event types per chamber across up to 4 simultaneous chambers, totaling 24 events. Each chamber reports trial start, left lever press, right lever press, infusion delivery, reward delivery, and shock delivery — giving your recording system complete behavioral readout for drug self-administration studies.
The complex 9-byte protocol includes a chamber ID byte so events from different chambers can be routed and distinguished. This is critical for multi-subject recordings where each animal has an independent neural recording rig synchronized to its behavioral events.
Setup Instructions
- Connect the TTL module via USB. Note COM port.
- In ConductMaze > TTL Settings, enable TTL and select BNC-6 connector.
- Wire BNC channels to your recording system: Ch1 = trial, Ch2 = left lever, Ch3 = right lever, Ch4 = infusion, Ch5 = reward, Ch6 = shock.
- For multi-chamber setups, chamber ID is embedded in the frame. If you need per-chamber BNC separation, use one TTL module per chamber.
- Test each event type per chamber before starting drug self-administration sessions.
Common Pitfalls
- ⚠All 4 chambers share the same 6 BNC outputs. Chamber ID is in the serial frame but not reflected in separate BNC signals. For independent per-chamber recording, dedicate one TTL module per chamber.
- ⚠During high-rate drug self-administration (e.g., FR1 cocaine), rapid lever presses and infusion events within 50ms will be serialized. Monitor for dropped events during binge sessions.
- ⚠Infusion pump activation is mechanical and may have a 50-200ms delay after the TTL signal — calibrate your infusion onset marker accordingly.
Methods Text (Copy-Paste)
Self-administration events were recorded using the ConductMaze TTL module (ConductScience, Skokie, IL) with BNC-6 multi-channel output. Six event types per chamber (trial start, lever presses, infusion, reward, shock) were transmitted as 9-byte frames at 115,200 baud with 10ms resolution, supporting up to 4 simultaneous chambers.
Suggested text for the Methods section of your manuscript.
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