The Automated T Maze is a computer-controlled behavioral testing apparatus designed for spatial memory and decision-making studies in rodents. This modular system eliminates the need for external I/O boxes while providing millisecond-precision detection through integrated infrared beam and capacitive touch sensors. The apparatus supports both forced and spontaneous alternation protocols, making it suitable for working memory assessment, choice behavior paradigms, and cognitive flexibility testing.
Constructed from odor-free, non-reflective acrylic materials, the system features quiet door operation (<10dB) to minimize auditory interference during testing sessions. The automated design integrates directly with Neuralynx and Ethovision software platforms, enabling synchronized electrophysiological recordings and detailed behavioral tracking. SMS and email notifications provide real-time experimental status updates, supporting unattended operation during extended testing protocols.
How It Works
The T-maze operates on the principle of spontaneous alternation behavior, where rodents naturally tend to alternate between left and right arm choices when exploring a T-shaped apparatus. This innate tendency reflects the animal's working memory system, as it must remember which arm was previously visited to make an optimal choice. The automated system tracks entry and exit patterns using strategically positioned infrared beam sensors that detect animal movement with millisecond precision.
Capacitive touch sensors integrated into reward delivery zones provide additional behavioral data by registering when animals interact with food or water dispensers. The modular architecture allows researchers to customize maze dimensions, sensor placement, and reward protocols to match specific experimental requirements. Door mechanisms operate below 10dB to prevent acoustic startle responses that could confound behavioral measurements.
Real-time data acquisition occurs through direct software integration, eliminating manual scoring and reducing human observer bias. The system automatically logs entry times, arm choices, latency measures, and reward collection events, generating comprehensive datasets for statistical analysis of alternation rates, response patterns, and cognitive performance metrics.
Features & Benefits
Millisecond precision detection
Captures precise timing data for accurate analysis of decision-making latencies and movement patterns during cognitive testing.
Dual sensor technology
Infrared beam and capacitive touch sensors provide redundant detection methods, ensuring reliable data collection even with varied animal behaviors.
Neuralynx integration
Enables synchronized electrophysiological recordings during behavioral testing for comprehensive neural circuit analysis.
No I/O boxes required
Eliminates external hardware dependencies, reducing setup complexity and potential failure points in the experimental system.
Quiet door operation (<10dB)
Minimizes auditory disturbances that could influence animal behavior or mask subtle cognitive deficits during testing.
Modular architecture
Allows customization of maze dimensions and sensor configurations to accommodate different experimental protocols and species requirements.
SMS and email notifications
Provides remote monitoring capabilities for unattended operation during extended experimental sessions or overnight protocols.
Odor-free acrylic construction
Prevents olfactory cues from influencing animal choices, ensuring spatial memory assessment is not confounded by scent trails.
Sizes by model
Measurement
Mouse
Rat
Height
20 cm
30 cm
Arm width
10 cm
10 cm
Return hall width
10 cm
12 cm
Total width
105 cm
136 cm
Total length
55 cm
74 cm
Notes
Any color available
Matted, non Reflective acrylic
Odor Free
Easy clean with 70% Ethanol
<10db door movement
Shipping weight
21.0 lb
Shipping box
L: 43.2 cm
W: 38.0 cm
H: 27.9 cm
Feature
This Product
Typical Alternative
Advantage
Detection Precision
Millisecond precision with dual sensor technology
Video-based systems often limited to frame rate resolution (33ms)
Captures rapid behavioral transitions and precise decision timing critical for cognitive analysis.
Integration Capabilities
Native Neuralynx and Ethovision integration
Third-party systems may require custom interface development
Enables immediate synchronized electrophysiology recordings without additional programming.
Hardware Dependencies
No external I/O boxes required
Many systems require separate interface hardware
Reduces setup complexity and eliminates potential failure points in the experimental chain.
Noise Control
Sub-10dB door operation
Manual systems produce variable acoustic interference
Prevents auditory startle responses that could confound cognitive assessment results.
Remote Monitoring
SMS and email notification system
Basic systems require constant operator presence
Allows unattended operation during extended protocols or overnight experimental sessions.
This automated T-maze combines millisecond-precision detection with seamless software integration and quiet operation. The system's modular design and comprehensive sensor array provide reliable behavioral measurement capabilities while eliminating common sources of experimental variability found in manual testing protocols.
Model
SKU
Listed price
Status
Shipping box
Black
ME-1403-01
$6,900.00
Available
43.2 × 38.0 × 27.9 cm
Black
ME-1403-02
$7,490.00
Available
43.2 × 38.0 × 27.9 cm
White
ME-1403-01-WHITE
$6,900.00
Available
43.2 × 38.0 × 27.9 cm
White
ME-1403-02-WHITE
$7,490.00
Available
43.2 × 38.0 × 27.9 cm
Learning and Memory
Assessing working memory capacity through delayed alternation protocols where rodents must remember previous arm visits to obtain rewards.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Evaluating cognitive effects of pharmaceutical compounds by measuring changes in alternation behavior patterns before and after drug administration.
Neuroscience
Investigating hippocampal and prefrontal cortex function during spatial decision-making tasks with synchronized electrophysiological recordings.
Aging Research
Documenting age-related decline in spatial memory performance by comparing alternation success rates across different age cohorts.
Neurodegeneration
Monitoring cognitive impairment progression in transgenic disease models through longitudinal alternation behavior assessment.
Addiction Research
Examining how substance exposure affects decision-making processes and spatial memory formation in rodent models.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Run sensor calibration at the beginning of each experimental session to account for ambient light changes and temperature variations.
Why: Environmental factors can shift sensor baselines and affect detection accuracy.
Maintenance
Clean sensor surfaces with lint-free cloths and isopropanol weekly to remove dust accumulation.
Why: Particulate buildup on infrared sensors can cause false triggers or missed detections.
Best Practices
Allow animals 5-10 minutes of habituation in the maze before beginning formal testing trials.
Why: Initial exploration reduces anxiety-related behaviors that could mask cognitive performance.
Data Quality
Monitor alternation patterns for ceiling effects in high-performing animals by adjusting delay intervals.
Why: Animals performing at maximum levels provide limited data for detecting subtle treatment effects.
Troubleshooting
Check sensor alignment if the system reports intermittent detection failures during trials.
Why: Mechanical vibration or settling can shift sensor positions slightly over time.
Safety
Verify all electrical connections are secure before introducing animals to prevent contact with exposed conductors.
Why: Animal safety requires proper grounding and insulation of all electronic components.
Best Practices
Randomize arm reward assignments across subjects to prevent spatial bias in experimental results.
Why: Consistent reward placement can lead to place preference rather than true alternation behavior.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect
Remove maze components from shipping materials and verify all acrylic panels, sensors, and electronic modules are undamaged.
Assemble Maze Structure
Connect T-maze arms and central choice point using provided hardware, ensuring all joints are secure and surfaces are level.
Install Sensor Array
Mount infrared beam sensors at arm entrances and capacitive touch sensors at reward zones according to the provided sensor placement diagram.
Connect Control System
Link sensor modules to the central control unit and establish communication with your computer via USB or Ethernet connection.
Software Configuration
Install Conductor Science Software and configure experimental parameters including trial duration, reward schedules, and data collection intervals.
Calibrate Detection System
Run sensor calibration routine to establish baseline readings and verify proper detection of animal movement through all maze zones.
Test Protocol Validation
Perform a complete test run with a training animal to verify sensor responsiveness, door operation timing, and data logging accuracy.
What’s in the Box
T-maze acrylic assembly components
Infrared beam sensor array
Capacitive touch sensor modules
Central control unit
Power adapter and cables
USB communication cable
Conductor Science Software license
Installation and operation manual
Sensor calibration tools (typical)
Hardware assembly kit (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a one-year manufacturer warranty covering electronic components and sensor modules, with ongoing technical support for software integration and experimental protocol optimization.
Compliance
ARRIVE Guidelines 2.0Supports standardized reporting of behavioral experiments through automated data collection and detailed experimental logging capabilities.
NIH Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory AnimalsCommonly used in research facilities subject to institutional animal care protocols for cognitive and behavioral studies.
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)Automated data logging and sensor calibration features support workflows in regulated preclinical research environments.
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
1.Charles V. Vorhees et al. (2006) “Morris water maze: procedures for assessing spatial and related forms of learning and memory” Nature Protocolsdoi:10.1038/nprot.2006.116
2.Herbert Schwegler et al. (1990) “Hippocampal mossy fibers and radial-maze learning in the mouse: A correlation with spatial working memory but not with non-spatial reference memory” Neurosciencedoi:10.1016/0306-4522(90)90139-u
3.Rudi D'Hooge et al. (2001) “Applications of the Morris water maze in the study of learning and memory” Brain Research Reviewsdoi:10.1016/s0165-0173(01)00067-4
4.Kinga Gaweł et al. (2018) “Assessment of spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze task in rodents—methodological consideration” Naunyn-Schmiedeberg s Archives of Pharmacologydoi:10.1007/s00210-018-1589-y
What is the detection sensitivity of the infrared beam sensors?
A
The system provides millisecond precision detection; consult product datasheet for specific beam break threshold specifications.
Q
Can the maze dimensions be customized for different species?
A
Yes, the modular architecture allows customization of arm length, width, and height to accommodate both mice and rats as well as specific experimental requirements.
Q
How does the system integrate with existing electrophysiology setups?
A
Direct Neuralynx integration provides TTL output synchronization for aligning behavioral events with neural recordings without additional interface hardware.
Q
What data parameters are automatically recorded during testing?
A
The system logs arm entry times, choice sequences, latency measures, reward collection events, and movement patterns with millisecond timestamps.
Q
How is between-subject contamination prevented?
A
The odor-free acrylic construction allows thorough cleaning with 70% ethanol between subjects to eliminate olfactory cues from previous animals.
Q
Can multiple mazes be operated simultaneously?
A
The Conductor Science Software supports multi-maze operation; consult technical specifications for maximum concurrent units per computer system.
Q
What maintenance is required for the sensor systems?
A
Regular sensor calibration and cleaning of detection zones with approved solvents; specific maintenance intervals depend on usage frequency and environmental conditions.
Have a question about this product?
Each paper below used this product. Under each title is the paper’s own sentence naming the equipment it used.
Suzanne van der Veldt, Guillaume Etter, Coralie-Anne Mosser et al. · PLOS Biology · 2021
From the methods
...place paradigm: Mice were water scheduled (2 hours per day) and trained in an automatized T-maze (MazeEngineers, Skokie, Illinois, United States of America) to a nonmatch to place task.
The same license also scores standard tests such as the open field, the elevated plus maze, the Y-maze and the Morris water maze. Results export as CSV files.
