Automated 8 Arm Radial Maze
Automated 8-arm radial maze for spatial working and reference memory assessment in rodents, featuring automated door control and video tracking integration.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Neuroscience · ConductScience
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The Automated 8 Arm Radial Maze is a sophisticated behavioral apparatus designed for assessing spatial working memory, reference memory, and navigation strategies in rodents. This system features eight radial arms extending from a central platform, with automated door control enabling precise experimental protocols. The maze integrates with video tracking software including ConductVision, ANY-Maze, and EthoVision, providing comprehensive behavioral analysis capabilities.
Available in configurations optimized for mice (ME-1901) and rats (ME-1902), the system incorporates 25 detection zones for automated tracking and door control. The apparatus supports both working memory protocols, where subjects must avoid re-entering previously visited arms within a session, and reference memory tasks using consistent baited arm patterns across sessions. This dual capability makes it essential for studies examining hippocampal function, age-related cognitive decline, and pharmacological effects on spatial cognition.
How It Works
The radial arm maze operates on the principle that rodents possess an innate tendency to explore novel environments while avoiding recently visited locations. This spatial working memory system relies on hippocampal-dependent cognitive processes that enable subjects to maintain a mental representation of visited locations within a testing session.
The automated system uses 25 detection zones integrated with video tracking software to monitor subject position and movement patterns. When a subject enters an arm, sensors detect the presence and can trigger automated door closure to prevent re-entry, depending on the experimental protocol. The central platform serves as the decision point where subjects choose which arm to explore next, allowing researchers to quantify working memory errors (revisiting previously entered arms) and reference memory errors (entering never-baited arms in reference memory protocols).
Data collection encompasses multiple behavioral measures including arm entry sequence, latency to complete trials, total errors, and movement patterns. The integration with tracking software enables analysis of speed, distance traveled, and dwell time in specific zones, providing comprehensive assessment of both cognitive performance and motor function during spatial navigation tasks.
Features & Benefits
Behavioral Construct
- Spatial Working Memory
- Reference Memory
- Spatial Navigation
- Cognitive Flexibility
- Hippocampal Function
Automation Level
- fully-automated
Software
- Adapter software (For video tracking integration)
- Standalone (without video tracking integration)
customizable_colors
- Yes
door_type
- Downward facing pneumatic doors
door_operation
- Quiet pneumatic movement
number_of_arms
- 8
copper_shielding_available
- Yes (for reduced electromagnetic interference)
software_options
- ['Adapter software (For video tracking integration)', 'Standalone (without video tracking integration)']
detection_zones
- 25
customizable_dimensions
- Yes
software_compatibility
- ['ANY-Maze', 'EthoVision', 'BehaviorCloud']
maze_inserts_available
- ['Y Maze', 'T Maze', 'Plus Maze']
optional_accessories
- ['Lickometers ($250-$1095)', 'Pellet Dispensers ($1095)', 'Cue Lights', 'Lids']
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning & Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Size
- Mouse
- Rat
Material
- Acrylic
- Aluminum
Color
- Black
- Blue
- Clear
- Grey
- White
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Weight
- 135.0 kg
Dimensions
- L: 166.0 mm
- W: 66.0 mm
- H: 91.0 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm Control System | 8 fully automated doors with software integration | Manual door control or no door control in basic models | Enables precise working memory protocols by preventing re-entry into visited arms during testing sessions. |
| Detection Zones | 25 discrete detection zones throughout maze structure | Basic entry/exit detection or manual observation in standard mazes | Provides detailed position tracking and movement analysis beyond simple arm entry counts. |
| Software Compatibility | Integration with ConductVision, ANY-Maze, and EthoVision | Limited to single software platform or no automation integration | Offers flexibility to use existing lab software systems and enables comprehensive behavioral analysis. |
| Species Configuration | Dedicated mouse and rat size configurations with species-optimized dimensions | One-size-fits-all design with suboptimal dimensions for smaller species | Ensures appropriate scaling for natural locomotion patterns and reliable behavioral performance across species. |
This system provides comprehensive automation and detailed behavioral tracking capabilities through its 25-zone detection system and 8 automated doors. The dual species configurations and multi-software compatibility offer flexibility for diverse research applications requiring precise spatial memory assessment.
Practical Tips
Verify detection zone boundaries weekly by walking a test object through each zone and confirming accurate position reporting in the tracking software.
Why: Maintains spatial accuracy essential for reliable working memory error classification.
Clean arm surfaces and door tracks daily with mild detergent to prevent scent cue accumulation that could bias subject behavior.
Why: Eliminates olfactory cues that could provide unintended navigation assistance and confound spatial memory assessment.
Randomize arm baiting patterns across subjects and sessions while maintaining consistent reference memory arm assignments within subjects.
Why: Prevents systematic biases in arm selection while preserving the reference memory learning component of the protocol.
If doors fail to close properly, check for debris in tracks and verify sensor alignment before adjusting mechanical tension.
Why: Ensures reliable working memory protocol implementation by preventing unintended arm re-entry.
Monitor trial completion times and movement patterns to identify subjects showing perseverative behavior or apparatus avoidance.
Why: Maintains data integrity by identifying potential confounding factors that could affect spatial memory performance measures.
Test automated door closing force to ensure gentle contact that guides without startling or injuring subjects.
Why: Prevents stress responses that could interfere with cognitive performance and ensures animal welfare compliance.
Conduct habituation sessions with all doors open before implementing working memory protocols with door control.
Why: Allows subjects to become familiar with maze navigation before introducing the cognitive demands of working memory testing.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Central platform assembly
- Eight radial arm modules
- Automated door mechanisms (8)
- Detection sensor system (25 zones)
- Control interface unit
- Power supply and cabling
- Assembly hardware kit
- User manual and protocol guide (typical)
- Software installation media (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with comprehensive technical support for setup, calibration, and operation throughout the warranty period.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What is the difference between working memory and reference memory protocols in the radial arm maze?
Working memory protocols assess the ability to avoid re-entering arms within a single session, while reference memory protocols use consistently baited arms across sessions to evaluate long-term spatial learning. The automated system supports both by controlling door access and tracking entry patterns.
How does the 25-zone detection system improve data quality compared to manual scoring?
The detection zones provide precise position tracking throughout the maze, enabling automated calculation of entry times, movement patterns, and error classification. This eliminates observer bias and provides more detailed behavioral metrics than manual scoring methods.
Can the maze be used for both acquisition and retention testing?
Yes, the automated door control enables flexible protocol design for initial learning sessions, retention testing after delays, and reversal learning paradigms. Software integration allows programming of different door control patterns for various experimental phases.
What maintenance is required for the automated door mechanisms?
Regular cleaning of door tracks and sensors is recommended to prevent debris interference. Door mechanisms should be tested weekly for smooth operation, and sensor calibration should be verified monthly to maintain detection accuracy.
How does the system handle data synchronization between video tracking and door control?
The integrated control system maintains synchronized timestamps between behavioral tracking data and door operation events, ensuring accurate correlation of movement patterns with experimental manipulations for comprehensive analysis.
What behavioral measures are automatically calculated by the tracking software?
Standard measures include total errors, working memory errors, reference memory errors, trial completion time, inter-arm intervals, and movement velocity. Advanced analysis can include path efficiency, exploration patterns, and zone-specific dwell times.
Can the arm dimensions be modified for different experimental requirements?
The system comes in fixed configurations optimized for mice or rats. While individual arm modules are replaceable for maintenance, dimensional modifications would require custom fabrication and may affect the detection system calibration.
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