Barnes Maze
Circular platform apparatus for hippocampal-dependent spatial reference memory assessment in mice and rats, utilizing natural aversion to open spaces and distal visual cues for navigation learning.
| finish | matted finish |
| top_design | removable top |
| rotation_capability | entire top and dark escape box rotate for customization |
| target_holes | includes 1 target box with option to add more holes |
| nesting_chamber | black nesting chamber with clear nest holder included |
| visual_cue_elimination | thick acrylic top eliminates visual cues |
The Barnes Maze is a circular platform behavioral apparatus designed for assessment of hippocampal-dependent spatial reference memory in rodents. The task exploits rodents' natural aversion to open, brightly lit spaces, motivating subjects to locate and enter a target escape hole using distal visual cues. Unlike water-based spatial memory tests, the Barnes Maze provides a dry testing environment that eliminates potential confounds from swimming stress or thermoregulatory demands.
Available in species-specific configurations for mice (92cm diameter, 5cm holes) and rats (122cm diameter, 10cm holes), the apparatus features 20 evenly distributed holes around the perimeter, with only one providing access to the escape chamber. The thick acrylic construction with matted finish eliminates visual cues from the maze surface itself, ensuring subjects rely on distal environmental landmarks for navigation. The removable top design and rotating capability allow for flexible experimental protocols and easy cleaning between subjects.
How It Works
The Barnes Maze operates on the principle of aversive motivation combined with hippocampal-dependent spatial memory. Rodents possess an innate aversion to open, brightly lit environments, creating natural motivation to escape the exposed platform surface. The apparatus exploits this ethological tendency by providing a single escape route among multiple false holes, requiring subjects to form a spatial map using distal visual cues in the testing environment.
During testing, subjects are placed in the center of the circular platform and must locate the target hole among 19 false holes. Successful task completion requires encoding the spatial relationship between the target location and external landmarks visible from the maze surface. The thick acrylic construction with matted finish eliminates local visual cues from the maze itself, ensuring navigation depends on distal environmental features processed by the hippocampus.
Learning is assessed through multiple measures including latency to locate the target hole, path length, search strategy employed, and errors made. The protocol typically involves training trials over several days followed by probe trials with the escape hole blocked to assess memory retention and spatial precision.
Features & Benefits
finish
- matted finish
top_design
- removable top
rotation_capability
- entire top and dark escape box rotate for customization
target_holes
- includes 1 target box with option to add more holes
nesting_chamber
- black nesting chamber with clear nest holder included
visual_cue_elimination
- thick acrylic top eliminates visual cues
false_floor_available
- True
optogenetics_compatible
- True
Size
- Mouse
- Rat
Behavioral Construct
- spatial reference memory
- place learning
- hippocampal-dependent memory
- spatial navigation
- escape learning
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Acrylic
Color
- Blue
- Clear
- Grey
- White
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning and Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
Weight
- 14.3 lbs
Dimensions
- L: 110.5 in
- W: 78.7 in
- H: 10.1 in
Comparison Guide
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Material and Finish | Thick acrylic construction with matted finish to eliminate visual cues | Basic platforms may use thinner materials or glossy surfaces that create unwanted visual cues | Ensures subjects rely on distal environmental landmarks rather than local platform features for navigation |
| Hole Configuration | 20 evenly distributed holes with species-specific sizing (5cm mouse, 10cm rat) | Some models offer fewer holes or non-optimized hole sizes | Provides appropriate spatial complexity while maintaining species-appropriate accessibility |
| Rotation and Customization | Entire top and escape box rotate for experimental flexibility | Fixed designs without rotation capability | Enables reversal learning protocols and prevents development of procedural response strategies |
| Escape Chamber Design | Black chamber with clear nest holder for visual confirmation | Basic escape boxes without visualization features | Allows researchers to confirm subject entry while maintaining dark refuge appeal |
| Platform Modifications | Optional false floor modification available | Limited modification options in standard models | Prevents use of olfactory cues beneath platform for more rigorous spatial memory assessment |
| Color Options | Available in white, grey, clear, or blue | Limited color selection in many models | Enables optimization of contrast conditions for different lighting environments and tracking systems |
This Barnes Maze provides comprehensive features for rigorous spatial memory assessment including species-optimized sizing, rotation capability for protocol flexibility, and material construction designed to eliminate unwanted visual cues. The design supports both standard spatial reference memory testing and advanced protocols requiring apparatus modifications.
Practical Tips
Maintain consistent distal visual cues in the testing room throughout experiments and avoid moving or changing prominent environmental landmarks.
Why: Spatial memory performance depends on stable environmental reference points for accurate hippocampal mapping.
Clean platform surface with ethanol or appropriate disinfectant between subjects and allow complete drying before next trial.
Why: Eliminates olfactory cues that could guide subjects independently of spatial memory systems.
Verify hole alignment and escape chamber positioning before each testing session using a measurement guide.
Why: Ensures consistent spatial relationships and prevents apparatus-related variability in performance measures.
Record ambient lighting conditions and maintain consistent illumination levels across all testing sessions.
Why: Lighting variations can affect escape motivation and visual cue detection, influencing performance reliability.
If subjects show reduced escape motivation, increase overhead lighting intensity or reduce environmental noise levels.
Why: Optimal aversive conditions are necessary to maintain motivation for spatial learning and memory expression.
Rotate the maze platform periodically while keeping the escape hole in the same spatial location relative to room cues.
Why: Prevents subjects from using local platform features or odor trails instead of spatial memory for navigation.
Ensure platform edges are smooth and stand stability is verified before placing subjects on the apparatus.
Why: Prevents injury from falls or sharp edges while maintaining appropriate height for escape motivation.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Circular platform (species-appropriate diameter)
- Adjustable stand with mounting hardware
- Black escape chamber
- Clear nest holder
- Installation and operation manual
- Cleaning and maintenance guidelines (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support available for setup and protocol optimization.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What is the Barnes Maze?
The Barnes Maze is a dry-land spatial memory test for rodents. Animals navigate a circular platform with holes around the perimeter to find a single escape box, using spatial cues for orientation.
How does the Barnes Maze work?
Rodents are placed on a brightly lit circular platform with multiple holes. Only one hole leads to an escape box. Aversive stimuli (bright light, buzzer) motivate the animal to find the target hole. Latency, errors, and search strategy are measured.
What research applications use the Barnes Maze?
The Barnes Maze is preferred when swim-stress confounds must be avoided. It is used in aging research, traumatic brain injury studies, and Alzheimer's disease models, offering a less stressful alternative to the Morris Water Maze.
Have a question about this product?
Accessories
Enhance your setup with compatible accessories
Frequently Bought Together
Upgrade Options
