Automated Hole Board

Description

Mouse
Length: 40cm
Width: 40cm
Height: 35cm
Diameter Holes: 3cm
16; 9; 4 floor Hole Board included in order
16 Nose poke detection cups included in your order
Clear wall set is included in your order. Black and white wall sets are optional

Rat
Length: 60cm
Width: 60cm
Height: 45cm
Diameter Holes: 5cm
16; 9; 4 floor Hole Board included in order
16 Nose poke detection cups included in your order
Clear wall set is included in your order. Black and white wall sets are optional

Request an Odor Box

$500

Take advantage of Neuralynx, Ethovision Integration, SMS and Email integration with the Conductor Science Software. No I/O Boxes Required

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Introduction

The Hole Board Test is designed to evaluate neophilia or neophobic behaviors by analyzing actions such as head dipping, rearing, and locomotion (Greenburg, 2003; Brown et al., 2008). Developed in the 1960s as an alternative to the open field test, this apparatus features walls that prevent escape and a perforated floor that allows subjects to explore by head dipping (Boissier et al., 1965; File et al., 1975; Brown et al., 2008). The test can be modified to investigate various behaviors, including the use of odor cues for studies on odor preference (Werknecke et al., 2015).

This apparatus is applicable in several research areas, including exploratory and anxiety-related behaviors in pharmacological studies (Gupta et al., 2015; Pandey et al., 2016), neurological development and conditions (Segabinazi et al., 2020; Haagensen et al., 2013; Havas et al., 2016), as well as psychology and psychiatric research (Verbitsky et al., 2020).

Applications in Behavioral Research

The Automated Hole Board is widely used in neuroscience and behavioral pharmacology to assess exploratory behavior, neophobia, anxiety, and cognitive function in rodents. Researchers often use it to:

Cognitive Testing Capabilities

Beyond exploration, the system can be adapted for:

Working and reference memory tasks

by baiting specific holes and altering their positions over sessions.

Spontaneous alternation behavior

helping investigate prefrontal cortex function.

Operant conditioning modules

allowing assessment of attention and learning.

Technical Enhancements

The system integrates advanced technical features for flexibility and accuracy:

Infrared or capacitive sensors

for precise nose-poke detection.

Modular design

for easy customization of wall patterns, hole locations, and sensory cues.

Real-time video tracking integration

for monitoring spatial navigation, with software like ConductVision

Data Collection & Analysis

Advanced Experimental Applications

Automatic logging of behavior events (e.g., hole entries, durations, and latencies).

Neurodevelopmental Disorder Models: The hole board is widely used to assess behavioral phenotypes in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and schizophrenia. Behavioral patterns such as repetitive dipping or hyperactivity can serve as translational markers.

Real-time notifications via SMS or email for experimental events or anomalies.

Longitudinal Monitoring: The automated features support long-term studies without repeated human interference, crucial for examining disease progression or aging-related cognitive decline.

Automatic logging of behavior events (e.g., hole entries, durations, and latencies).

Environmental Enrichment Studies: Researchers can compare exploration behavior in animals raised in enriched vs. standard environments, helping study plasticity and resilience.

Custom Modifications and Integration

RFID Tagging: Systems can include RFID readers to identify individual animals, useful in group-housed settings or social exploration studies.
Tactile Feedback Modules: Adding textured surfaces or mild aversive stimuli can simulate real-world environments, enhancing ecological validity.
Synchronized Neurophysiological Recording: The system can be synchronized with electrophysiology, calcium imaging, or optogenetics, enabling real-time neural-behavioral correlation.

Expanded Software Capabilities

Machine Learning Integration: Some labs implement custom algorithms to detect complex behavior patterns, predict outcomes, or classify phenotypes.
Automated Trial Scheduling: Enables multi-day protocols with defined rest periods and randomized trial order for unbiased data collection.
Multi-Chamber Configurations: High-throughput setups allow parallel testing of multiple animals, optimizing workflow in large studies.

Key Features

Automated Infrared Detection

Integrated IR sensors provide precise tracking of nose-poke behaviors, eliminating the need for manual observation.

Modular Design

The apparatus features a modular construction, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and customization to suit various experimental needs.

Software Integration

Compatible with major video tracking and analysis software, including ConductVision, facilitating comprehensive behavioral analysis.

Data Logging and Control

The included Conductor Science Software enables seamless control of the apparatus and real-time data logging, enhancing experimental efficiency.

Applications

Neuroscience Studies: Investigate the neural mechanisms underlying anxiety and exploratory behaviors.
Cognitive Function Assessment: Assess learning, memory, and attention in rodent models.
Behavioral Analysis: Study the impact of environmental factors on anxiety-like behaviors and exploration.

Maintenance and Usability

Non-reflective, easy-to-clean materials prevent behavioral interference and allow for rapid reuse between trials.
Training mode vs. testing mode: Systems can be configured to gradually acclimate animals, improving data consistency across studies.

Behavioral Metrics and Interpretation

Spatial and Temporal Exploration Analysis

By tracking where and when animals interact with holes, researchers can assess exploration strategies, habituation, and anxiety. Patterns such as repeated visits to the same hole or preference for periphery vs. center are key indicators.

Sensorimotor Integration

The task evaluates coordination between sensory input and motor response—important in models of neurodegenerative disease or brain injury.

Motivational Studies

When used with food rewards or aversive stimuli, the board can test decision-making, reward-seeking, and risk-avoidance behavior.

References

Christopher L. Kliethermes, John C. Crabbe. Pharmacological and genetic influences on hole-board behaviors in mice (2006). Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior.85 (1): 57-65.
Boissier JR, Simon P. Action de la caféine sur la motilité spontanée de la souris [Action of caffeine on the spontaneous motility of the mouse]. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1965 Nov;158(1):212-21. French.
Brown, Gillian R; Nemes, C (2008). The exploratory behavior of rats in the hole-board apparatus: Is head-dipping a valid measure of neophilia?Behavioral Processes.
File SE, Wardill AG. Validity of head-dipping as a measure of exploration in a modified hole-board (1975). Psychopharmacologia. 44(1):53-9
Gupta D, Radhakrishnan M, Thangaraj D, Kurhe Y. Pharmacological evaluation of novel 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, QCM-13 (N-cyclohexyl-3-methoxyquinoxalin-2-carboxamide) as an anti-anxiety agent in behavioral test battery (2015). J Pharm Bioallied Sci.7(2):103-108.
Greenberg R. The role of neophobia and neophilia in the development of innovative behavior of birds (2003). In: Reader S.M., Laland K.N., editors. Animal Innovation. Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, pp. 175–196.
Haagensen AM, Klein AB, Ettrup A, Matthews LR, Sørensen DB. Cognitive performance of Göttingen minipigs is affected by diet in a spatial hole-board discrimination test (2013). PLoS One. 8(11):e79429.
Havas D, Hutter-Paier B, Ubhi K, et al. A longitudinal study of behavioral deficits in an AβPP transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (2016). J Alzheimers Dis ;25(2):231-243. doi:10.3233/JAD-2011-101866
Pandey DK, Devadoss T, Modak N, Mahesh R. Antidepressant & anxiolytic activities of N-(pyridin-3-yl) quinoxalin-2-carboxamide: A novel serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist in behavioral animal models (2016). Indian J Med Res. 144(4):614-621.
Segabinazi, E et al. “Comparative overview of the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on anxiety-like behavior, cognitive flexibility, and hippocampal synaptic plasticity parameters in healthy rats.”(2020). Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas vol. 53,11 e9816,
Verbitsky, A., Dopfel, D. & Zhang, N. Rodent models of post-traumatic stress disorder: behavioral assessment (2020). Transl Psychiatry 10, 132.
Wernecke, K. E., & Fendt, M.The olfactory hole-board test in rats: a new paradigm to study aversion and preferences to odors (2015). Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 9, 223.

Additional information

Species	Mouse, Rat

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Producer: MazeEngineers

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