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Ant Double Bifurcation T

See more by: MazeEngineers

$1,190.00$1,890.00

10% off with your subscription Membership
Ā / Availability: In Stock / Delivery Info ā“˜

Description

This T maze was primarily used to study the foraging and route learning behaviors of Lasius niger workers on a doubly bifurcating trail with four endpoints. It is available in two sizes: short and long, replicating the original Czaczkes study or for novel applications. Customization options, including various colors and sizes, are available upon request.

Meet the producer

Producer: MazeEngineers

MazeEngineers offers custom-built behavioral mazes at no extra cost—designed to fit your exact research needs. Eliminate reproducibility issues from poor sizing or lingering scent cues with precision-engineered, modular, and smart mazes that adapt in real time to animal behavior. Publish new protocols, run adaptive experiments, and push the boundaries of behavioral science.

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Description

Features

Stem Length: 15 cm

Stem Width: 5cm

Head Length: 22cm

Head Width: 2cm

Communication arm: 6cm length x 5cm width

Buffer: 8cm length; 5cm width

Features

Stem Length: 15 cm

Stem Width: 5cm

Head Length: 22cm

Head Width: 2cm

Communication arm: 6cm length x 5cm width

Buffer: 8cm length; 5cm width

Introduction

The Multiple T-maze is designed for conducting spatial learning and memory studies in rodents. This apparatus consists of several T-mazes joined longitudinally, creating a complex decision-making field for the subjects. It evaluates the subjects’ decision-making and memory as they navigate through the mazes and associated paths in search of food.

In humans, the hippocampus is crucial for decision making and episodic memory. Damage to this area can significantly affect declarative memory, imagination, and decision-making abilities. Declarative memory, characterized by short temporal specificity, enables tasks like route planning to be executed quickly. The Multiple T-maze simulates an environment where subjects utilize their declarative memory to follow specific routes in pursuit of food. This setup requires subjects to apply their learned information in decision-making tasks within a controlled environment and timeframe. Additionally, the Multiple T-maze can be used to observe neural function in the hippocampus during sequential navigation tasks.

The Multiple T-maze features four T-mazes surrounded by a return rail, creating a lap-based task. The return rail includes feeders on both sides to store food rewards, serving as stimuli for the subjects. Other advanced T-mazes for studying learning and memory in rodents include the Two Problem T Maze, Automated T Maze, and Virtual T Maze.

Apparatus and Equipment

The Multiple T-maze measures 165 x 165 cm overall. It includes four T-mazes arranged longitudinally to create a turn sequence. Two return rails are positioned on either side of the T-maze stack. The horizontal arms of the first T-maze connect to the return rail at the top (north end), while the longitudinal arm of the fourth T-maze connects to the return rail at the bottom (south end). Each track is 10 cm wide. Two feeders are installed on each return rail to hold the food rewards.

Training Protocol

Thoroughly clean the apparatus before and after each trial to prevent any residual stimuli from affecting the subjects’ behavior. External tracking and recording systems, such as Noldus Ethovision XT, can be used with the Multiple T-Maze to observe and analyze rodent behavior.

The Multiple T-Maze task can be used without pretraining the subjects, allowing researchers to observe their foraging behavior in a novel environment. Conduct appropriate habituation sessions based on the specific requirements of your investigation prior to testing.

Data Analysis

The following parameters can be observed in a Multiple T maze:

  • Linear velocity
  • Angular velocity
  • Subject position
  • Radial distance
  • Orientation of motion
  • Time spent at choice point
  • Sweep time

Strengths and Limitations

Summary

  • Multiple T-maze is used for the assessment of spatial learning and memory-based behaviors in rodents.
  • The presence of T mazes and return rail compose a complicated environment that challenges the decision-making ability of the subject.
  • The Multiple T-maze’s return rails form a lap-based task for the subjects.
  • Olfactory cues may hinder with results therefore proper cleaning of the track is mandatory.
  • The quality and quantity of the food reward should be kept constant during the trial.
  • Factors that may affect the subject behavior in a Multiple T-maze include age, sex, strain, and gender of the subject.
  • The apparatus produces rapid and reproducible results.

References

Johnson, A., & Redish, D. (2007).Ā Neural Ensembles in CA3 Transiently Encode Paths Forward of the Animal at a Decision Point.Ā The Journal of Neuroscience, 27(45), 12176–12189. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3761-07.2007

Additional information

Ant Double Bifurcation T

Ant Bifurcation Bundle, Ant bifurcation Maze

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