Adjustable Platform
Adjustable acrylic escape platform with etched grip surface for Morris water maze spatial learning studies in mice and rats.
| Automation Level | manual |
The Adjustable Platform is a precision-engineered escape platform designed for Morris water maze and spatial learning protocols. Constructed from durable acrylic with an etched surface pattern for enhanced grip, this platform provides researchers with adjustable sizing options to accommodate different experimental paradigms and animal subjects.
Available in both round and square configurations, the platform features variable top widths (4-9 cm for mouse studies, 10-16 cm for rat studies) while maintaining a consistent 12-inch base width for stability. The etched surface pattern ensures reliable footing during escape trials, critical for consistent behavioral data collection in spatial memory assessments and hippocampal function studies.
How It Works
The adjustable platform functions as the target location in Morris water maze spatial navigation paradigms. During hidden platform trials, the platform is positioned just below the water surface, invisible to the subject but providing stable footing upon contact. Animals must use distal visual cues to develop a spatial map and navigate directly to the platform location.
The etched surface pattern provides crucial tactile feedback and grip stability, preventing slipping during escape behavior. The adjustable sizing allows researchers to modify task difficulty - smaller platforms increase spatial precision requirements while larger platforms facilitate initial learning phases. Platform size adjustment also accommodates different species requirements and experimental designs.
In probe trials, the platform is removed entirely to assess spatial memory retention. Swimming patterns are analyzed for quadrant preference, platform crossings, and search strategies, providing quantitative measures of spatial memory consolidation and retrieval.
Features & Benefits
Behavioral Construct
- Spatial Learning
- Reference Memory
- Working Memory
- Cognitive Mapping
- Place Navigation
Automation Level
- manual
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning & Memory Tests
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Weight
- 21.0 kg
Dimensions
- L: 43.2 mm
- W: 38.0 mm
- H: 27.9 mm
Comparison Guide
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size Adjustability | Variable top width in 1 cm increments (4-9 cm mouse, 10-16 cm rat) | Most platforms offer fixed sizes requiring multiple units for different experimental phases | Single platform accommodates multiple protocol requirements and allows within-experiment size modifications |
| Surface Texture | Etched pattern for enhanced grip | Smooth surfaces or simple roughening | Uniform tactile feedback reduces motor performance variability in spatial learning trials |
| Base Stability | 12-inch stable base width across all top sizes | Base width typically scales with platform size | Consistent stability regardless of selected platform size prevents movement artifacts |
| Shape Options | Round or square configurations available | Single shape design | Shape-based experimental controls and compatibility with different maze pool designs |
This platform provides size flexibility and surface optimization specifically designed for spatial learning protocols. The adjustable sizing and etched grip surface support consistent behavioral data collection across different experimental phases and species requirements.
Practical Tips
Map platform coordinates using pool wall references and maintain consistent placement logs for each experimental session.
Why: Precise spatial positioning is critical for valid place navigation data and cross-session comparisons.
Clean etched surface gently with soft brush to preserve grip texture while removing biological materials.
Why: Surface texture integrity directly affects animal grip consistency and behavioral data reliability.
Start with larger platform sizes during initial training phases and progressively reduce size as animals learn the task.
Why: Progressive difficulty increase optimizes learning curves while maintaining motivation and task engagement.
Verify platform remains stable and level before each trial using brief weight test.
Why: Platform movement or tilting creates confounding variables that affect spatial navigation measurements.
If animals show preference for platform edges, reduce size slightly to encourage center-platform approaches.
Why: Edge-seeking behavior can indicate platform size is too large for optimal spatial precision assessment.
Ensure all platform edges are smooth and free of sharp corners that could cause injury during escape behavior.
Why: Animal safety considerations are paramount and sharp edges can create behavioral artifacts due to contact avoidance.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Adjustable platform with selected size configuration
- Base mounting hardware (typical)
- Setup and positioning guide (typical)
- Care and maintenance instructions (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for setup and protocol optimization.
Compliance
What platform size should I use for different experimental phases?
Start with larger platforms (8-9 cm for mice, 14-16 cm for rats) during initial acquisition training, then reduce to smaller sizes (4-6 cm for mice, 10-12 cm for rats) for precision testing and memory consolidation trials.
How do I maintain consistent platform placement across sessions?
Use a coordinate system referenced to pool walls and record exact platform center coordinates. Many researchers use a grid overlay or measurement template for reproducible positioning.
Can the platform be used for both hidden and visible conditions?
Yes, adjust platform height so the top surface is 1-2 cm below water level for hidden trials, or position at water surface level for visible platform control conditions.
How should I clean the platform between subjects?
Rinse thoroughly with clean water and wipe dry with lint-free cloth. The etched surface pattern should be gently scrubbed to remove any residual materials while preserving grip texture.
What water temperature considerations apply?
Platform material remains stable across typical water maze temperatures (20-26°C). Acrylic construction is not temperature-sensitive within normal experimental ranges.
How do I verify platform stability during trials?
Test with gentle downward pressure equivalent to animal weight before each session. Platform should not shift or tilt when contacted from any approach angle.
Have a question about this product?
Accessories
Enhance your setup with compatible accessories
