Three-dimensional radial arm maze with adjustable height elements and tilting bridge segments for advanced spatial learning and memory assessment in mice and rats.
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Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
Ask Louise about 3D Radial Arm Maze fit, setup, configuration, or quote prep.
The 3D Radial Arm Maze is a specialized behavioral apparatus designed for comprehensive assessment of spatial learning and memory in laboratory rodents. This three-dimensional configuration extends the traditional radial arm maze paradigm by incorporating adjustable height elements and tilting bridge segments, enabling researchers to evaluate complex spatial navigation strategies that more closely approximate natural foraging behaviors.
The apparatus features an octagonal central platform with eight equally-spaced arms, each divided into three distinct segments. The second segment of each arm can be tilted up to 90 degrees to create bridge configurations, while the central platform height can be adjusted within a 15 cm range. This design flexibility allows for progressive difficulty testing and investigation of three-dimensional spatial memory processes in both reference and working memory paradigms.
How It Works
The 3D Radial Arm Maze operates on the principle of spatial memory assessment through controlled navigation challenges. Animals must learn and remember the spatial locations of food rewards placed at the ends of specific arms while avoiding previously visited locations. The three-dimensional configuration adds vertical spatial processing demands, requiring subjects to integrate height-based spatial cues with traditional horizontal navigation strategies.
The maze design incorporates adjustable elements that can be configured to create varying levels of spatial complexity. The tilting bridge segments in each arm can be positioned at angles up to 90 degrees, forcing animals to navigate three-dimensional pathways. The central platform height adjustment capability allows researchers to modify the overall spatial context and create progressive training protocols that gradually increase navigation difficulty.
Behavioral performance is typically assessed through metrics including arm entry patterns, working memory errors (revisits to depleted arms), reference memory errors (entries into never-baited arms), and completion times. Integration with video tracking systems enables detailed analysis of movement patterns, path efficiency, and spatial strategy utilization throughout the testing protocol.
Features & Benefits
Adjustable three-dimensional configuration
Enables investigation of complex spatial navigation strategies that more closely approximate natural foraging behaviors and three-dimensional spatial processing.
Tilting bridge segments (up to 90 degrees)
Provides variable difficulty levels and allows assessment of motor-cognitive integration during spatial navigation tasks.
Height-adjustable central platform (15 cm range)
Facilitates progressive training protocols and modification of overall spatial context to assess learning flexibility.
Eight equally-spaced arms with three segments each
Offers sufficient complexity for robust working and reference memory assessment while maintaining standardized spatial relationships.
Compatible with Noldus EthoVision XT tracking
Enables automated behavioral analysis with detailed movement tracking, path analysis, and comprehensive performance metrics.
Dual species compatibility (mouse and rat)
Accommodates different rodent models with species-specific dimensions, allowing cross-species behavioral comparisons and model validation.
Modular arm segment design
Permits flexible experimental configurations and easy maintenance, while supporting various behavioral paradigm modifications.
Research identifiers
These IDs come from NCBI Taxonomy. Use them in data records and methods sections.
Segment 2: Can be tilted (max. 90◦) and constitutes a bridge
Octagonal shaped central hub ( )
Sidewalls: 1 cm high, extends length of each arm
Raised 60 cm from the ground
In order to change the configurations of the maze, the central platform can be lowered 15 cm
Mouse: Each arm (51 cm × 11.2 cm)
Mouse: Segment 1: 15.2 cm × 11.2 cm directly attached to the central platform
Mouse: Segment 3: (35 cm × 11.2 cm)
Rat: Each arm (68 cm × 15 cm)
Rat: Segment 1: 20 cm × 15 cm directly attached to the central platform
Rat: Segment 3: (46 cm × 15 cm)
Shipping weight
6.06 lb
Shipping box
L: 65.0 cm
W: 36.0 cm
H: 27.0 cm
Feature
This Product
Typical Alternative
Advantage
Spatial Complexity
Three-dimensional navigation with adjustable bridge angles up to 90 degrees and 15 cm height adjustment range
Standard radial arm mazes provide only horizontal navigation challenges
Enables assessment of complex spatial strategies that more closely approximate natural foraging behaviors and three-dimensional spatial processing.
Configuration Flexibility
Adjustable central platform height and individual arm bridge angles for progressive difficulty protocols
Fixed configurations with limited adaptability for different experimental paradigms
Supports longitudinal studies with progressive training protocols and cognitive flexibility assessment.
Arm Design
Three-segment arms with dedicated tilting bridge elements for each of the eight arms
Single-piece arms with fixed horizontal orientation
Provides multiple spatial decision points per arm entry and enhanced motor-cognitive integration assessment.
Species Accommodation
Dedicated mouse (51 cm arms) and rat (68 cm arms) configurations with scaled central platforms
Single size or limited scaling options for different species
Optimizes spatial relationships and navigation demands for species-specific behavioral capabilities and body dimensions.
Software Integration
Native compatibility with Noldus EthoVision XT tracking and analysis systems
Limited software compatibility or manual scoring requirements
Enables comprehensive automated behavioral analysis with detailed movement tracking and spatial strategy quantification.
This apparatus combines the established spatial memory assessment capabilities of traditional radial arm mazes with enhanced three-dimensional navigation challenges. The adjustable configuration elements provide experimental flexibility while maintaining standardized behavioral metrics, supporting both basic spatial learning research and complex cognitive flexibility paradigms.
Model
Size
SKU
Listed price
Status
Shipping box
Mouse
In diameter 30 cm
CS-958327-01-CLEAR (+5)
$3,890.00
Available
65.0 × 36.0 × 27.0 cm
Rat
In diameter 40 cm
CS-958327-02-CLEAR (+5)
$4,390.00
Available
65.0 × 36.0 × 27.0 cm
Neuroscience
Investigating hippocampal-dependent spatial memory formation and retrieval mechanisms using three-dimensional navigation tasks that engage both horizontal and vertical spatial processing.
Learning and Memory
Assessing working memory capacity and reference memory consolidation through progressively complex spatial navigation challenges with adjustable difficulty levels.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Evaluating cognitive effects of pharmacological interventions on spatial learning performance using standardized three-dimensional maze protocols.
Neurodegeneration
Monitoring spatial memory decline in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions through longitudinal maze performance assessments.
Aging Research
Characterizing age-related changes in spatial navigation abilities and memory consolidation processes using multi-dimensional behavioral paradigms.
Anxiety and Depression
Examining how stress and mood-related behaviors influence spatial learning strategies and memory performance in preclinical models.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify bridge angle settings using a digital protractor before each experimental session, ensuring consistent spatial difficulty across testing days.
Why: Small variations in bridge angles can significantly impact task difficulty and introduce unintended variability in spatial memory assessment.
Maintenance
Clean arm segments and central platform with mild detergent after each testing session, paying particular attention to food reward residues that may create olfactory cues.
Why: Residual odors can influence spatial navigation strategies and confound memory-based performance measures.
Best Practices
Randomize arm baiting patterns across animals and sessions while maintaining consistent spatial relationships for reference memory assessment.
Why: Systematic randomization prevents development of non-spatial behavioral strategies while preserving the spatial memory component of the task.
Data Quality
Monitor tracking system performance regularly to ensure accurate detection of bridge navigation and vertical movement components.
Why: Three-dimensional movement tracking requires optimal camera positioning and lighting to capture spatial navigation metrics accurately.
Troubleshooting
If animals show reluctance to navigate tilted bridges, gradually increase bridge angles over successive sessions rather than implementing maximum angles immediately.
Why: Progressive difficulty increase prevents task avoidance behaviors and ensures animals learn to navigate three-dimensional elements effectively.
Safety
Inspect bridge pivot mechanisms and platform adjustment components weekly for wear or loosening that could create unstable surfaces.
Why: Mechanical stability is essential for animal safety and consistent spatial relationships throughout behavioral testing protocols.
Best Practices
Use consistent environmental cues around the maze setup to support spatial reference memory formation while controlling for non-spatial navigation strategies.
Why: Stable distal cues enable hippocampal-dependent spatial memory processes while preventing reliance on proximal sensory navigation aids.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect Components
Remove all maze components from packaging and verify the central platform, eight arm segments, support structures, and adjustment mechanisms are present and undamaged.
Assemble Central Platform
Mount the octagonal central hub on the support structure at 60 cm height, ensuring the platform is level and the height adjustment mechanism functions properly.
Attach Arm Segments
Connect all eight arms to the central platform, verifying that each three-segment arm is properly aligned and the tilting bridge mechanisms operate smoothly through the full 90-degree range.
Configure Maze Layout
Set initial arm configurations for your experimental protocol, adjusting bridge angles and platform height as required for the specific behavioral paradigm.
Install Tracking System
Position overhead cameras and configure Noldus EthoVision XT software for automated behavioral tracking, ensuring complete maze coverage and proper lighting conditions.
Conduct Habituation Session
Allow test animals to explore the maze environment for 10-15 minutes without food rewards to reduce novelty-induced behaviors and establish baseline movement patterns.
Implement Experimental Protocol
Begin formal testing sessions with appropriate food rewards placed according to your reference and working memory paradigm design.
What’s in the Box
Central octagonal platform with height adjustment mechanism
Eight three-segment arm assemblies with tilting bridge components
Support structure and mounting hardware
Assembly instructions and protocol guide
Food reward wells and placement tools (typical)
Cleaning and maintenance supplies (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with comprehensive technical support for setup optimization and protocol development.
Compliance
ARRIVE Guidelines 2.0Supports standardized reporting of animal research methods and behavioral outcome measures in spatial learning studies.
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th Edition)Commonly used in research environments that follow NIH guidelines for laboratory animal welfare and experimental design standards.
ISO 10993 (Biological Evaluation)Materials used in maze construction support biocompatibility requirements for equipment in direct contact with laboratory animals.
What is the optimal training protocol duration for establishing reliable baseline performance?
A
Typical protocols require 5-7 days of initial training with 2-3 trials per day, followed by 3-4 days of stable performance before experimental manipulations. Training duration may vary based on strain, age, and specific memory paradigm requirements.
Q
How does the three-dimensional configuration affect traditional radial arm maze scoring methods?
A
Standard working memory errors (revisits) and reference memory errors (never-baited arms) remain applicable, but additional metrics include bridge navigation efficiency, height-related spatial strategy utilization, and three-dimensional path analysis through integrated tracking systems.
Q
Can the maze configuration be modified during an ongoing experiment?
A
Yes, the adjustable bridge angles and platform height can be modified between sessions to create progressive difficulty paradigms or assess cognitive flexibility, though configuration changes should be planned as part of the experimental design.
Q
What food reward protocols work best with the three-dimensional design?
A
Standard food pellet rewards (20-45mg) placed in arm-end wells remain effective, though reward accessibility may be modified by bridge angles. Consider using highly palatable rewards when bridge navigation is particularly challenging.
Q
How does the apparatus integrate with existing behavioral analysis software?
A
The maze is optimized for Noldus EthoVision XT with predefined zone templates, but the standardized dimensions and overhead tracking compatibility support integration with other video analysis platforms with manual zone configuration.
Q
What maintenance is required for the adjustable mechanisms?
A
Monthly inspection of bridge pivot points and height adjustment mechanisms is recommended, with periodic lubrication of moving parts. The modular design allows individual component replacement without complete apparatus disassembly.
Q
How does performance compare between two-dimensional and three-dimensional radial arm protocols?
A
Three-dimensional configurations typically show increased task difficulty with longer acquisition times and higher error rates, but provide more naturalistic spatial navigation assessment and enhanced sensitivity to hippocampal-dependent memory processes.
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