Bussey-Saksida Touch Screen Operant Conditioning Chamber
Automated touchscreen operant conditioning chamber for cognitive testing in mice and rats with integrated reward delivery and sound attenuation.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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The Bussey-Saksida Touch Screen Operant Conditioning Chamber provides automated cognitive testing for rodents using touchscreen technology. This system enables precise assessment of learning, memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility in mice and rats through customizable visual discrimination tasks. The chamber integrates a responsive touchscreen interface with automated reward delivery and environmental controls within a sound-attenuated enclosure.
Available in mouse (20x20x20 cm) and rat (30x30x30 cm) configurations, the system includes pellet dispensing, waste collection, and optional components such as retractable levers, nose pokes, and lickometers. The integrated Conduct software provides protocol programming and data acquisition for complex behavioral paradigms. Sound attenuation of approximately 40dB minimizes external interference during testing sessions.
How It Works
The system operates through capacitive touchscreen technology that detects rodent nose touches on visual stimuli displayed on the screen. When animals make correct responses according to programmed discrimination criteria, the integrated pellet dispenser automatically delivers food rewards (20mg or 45mg pellets) to the receptacle. The Conduct software controls stimulus presentation timing, records response latencies, and tracks accuracy metrics throughout testing sessions.
Environmental parameters are maintained through automated systems including LED house lighting, infrared illumination for video monitoring, and continuous air circulation. The multi-layer sound-proof insulation reduces ambient noise by approximately 40dB, ensuring consistent testing conditions. Optional components such as shock grids (0.1-4.0 mA range), retractable levers, and nose pokes can be integrated for complex operant conditioning paradigms.
The touchscreen interface enables presentation of complex visual discrimination tasks including location, pattern, and paired-associate learning protocols. Response data is collected in real-time with millisecond precision, allowing detailed analysis of cognitive performance metrics including reaction times, choice accuracy, and learning curves.
Features & Benefits
sound_attenuation_chamber_dimensions
- 60 x 55 x 65 cm (width x depth x height)
noise_reduction
- Approx 40dB
mouse_chamber_interior_dimensions
- 20x20x20 cm (LxWxH)
rat_chamber_interior_dimensions
- 30x30x30 cm (LxWxH)
mouse_grid_dimensions
- 18x18 cm
rat_grid_dimensions
- 27x27 cm
lever_width_rats
- 1.6 cm
lever_width_mice
- 1 cm
pellet_dispenser_default
- 20 mg
pellet_dispenser_alternative
- 45 mg
shock_grid_current_range
- 0.1 to 4.0 mA in 0.1 mA steps
multi_layer_sound_proof_insulation
- Yes
automated_led_house_light
- Yes
automated_ir_light
- Yes
automated_air_circulation_fan
- Yes
camera_mount
- Yes
removable_lid
- Yes
removable_feces_catcher
- Yes
optogenetic_support
- Yes
nose_pokes_available
- Yes
lickometers_available
- Yes
custom_dimensions_available
- Yes
Behavioral Construct
- Attention
- Working Memory
- Learning
- Cognitive Flexibility
- Decision Making
- Visual Discrimination
- Reversal Learning
Automation Level
- fully-automated
Material
- Acrylic
- Stainless Steel
Color
- Black
- Blue
- Grey
- White
Display Type
- Touchscreen
Dimensions
- 60 cm x 55 cm x 65 cm
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning and Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Weight
- 6.06 kg
Dimensions
- L: 65.0 mm
- W: 36.0 mm
- H: 27.0 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamber Interior Dimensions | 20x20x20 cm (mice) or 30x30x30 cm (rats) | Fixed dimensions often limit species compatibility | Species-optimized sizing ensures proper animal positioning for accurate touchscreen responses |
| Sound Attenuation | Approximately 40dB noise reduction with multi-layer insulation | Basic enclosures provide 20-30dB reduction | Superior acoustic isolation minimizes environmental interference during sensitive cognitive testing |
| Reward System | Automated pellet dispenser with 20mg and 45mg pellet options | Manual reward delivery or single pellet size options | Consistent timing and portion control critical for operant conditioning reliability |
| Environmental Controls | Integrated LED lighting, IR illumination, and air circulation | Separate lighting and ventilation components | Unified environmental management ensures standardized testing conditions across sessions |
| Modular Options | Retractable levers, nose pokes, lickometers, shock grids, and TTL interfaces | Limited expansion capability or separate equipment required | Single platform accommodates diverse behavioral paradigms without equipment multiplication |
| Waste Management | Removable feces and urine collection tray | Fixed chamber floors requiring disassembly for cleaning | Streamlined cleaning procedures maintain hygiene without interrupting multi-chamber operation |
The system combines touchscreen-based cognitive testing with comprehensive environmental control and modular expansion options. The species-specific chamber sizing and superior sound attenuation support precise behavioral measurement, while automated systems reduce experimental variability compared to manual operant procedures.
| Model | SKU | Listed price | Status | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | CS-958349 | $7,990.00 | Available | 30 x 30 x 30 cm |
| Mouse | CS-958349 | $6,690.00 | Available | 20 x 20 x 20 cm |
Practical Tips
Verify touchscreen sensitivity weekly by testing known touch locations with a calibrated stylus before beginning experimental sessions.
Why: Touch sensitivity can drift over time, affecting response detection accuracy and introducing systematic errors in behavioral data.
Clean touchscreen surfaces with 70% isopropanol between animals using lint-free cloths to prevent residue buildup.
Why: Organic residues can interfere with capacitive touch detection and create inconsistent response zones across the screen surface.
Allow 15-minute chamber acclimation periods before starting behavioral sessions to stabilize environmental conditions.
Why: Temperature and humidity fluctuations can affect animal behavior and electronic component performance during initial operation.
Check pellet dispenser timing if animals show reduced motivation, as dispensing delays can disrupt operant conditioning schedules.
Why: Reward timing precision is critical for maintaining behavioral response patterns and preventing extinction during learning protocols.
Monitor trial completion rates and response latencies for outliers that may indicate equipment malfunctions or animal health issues.
Why: Sudden changes in behavioral metrics often reflect technical problems rather than legitimate experimental effects.
Verify proper grounding of all electrical components and test shock grid current levels with appropriate meters before aversive conditioning protocols.
Why: Electrical safety ensures animal welfare compliance and prevents equipment damage from current fluctuations or ground faults.
Standardize pre-training protocols including food restriction schedules and habituation procedures across all experimental subjects.
Why: Consistent preparation methods reduce inter-animal variability and improve the reliability of cognitive performance comparisons.
Replace circulation fan filters monthly and inspect speaker connections quarterly to maintain optimal environmental and auditory conditions.
Why: Degraded air quality or audio distortion can introduce confounding variables that affect animal behavior and experimental outcomes.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Sound-attenuating chamber enclosure (60x55x65 cm)
- Species-specific operant chamber (mouse or rat size)
- Touchscreen display unit
- Automated pellet dispenser
- Pellet receptacle
- Waste collection tray
- LED house light system
- IR illumination system
- Circulation fan
- Speaker unit
- Power cables and connections
- User manual and setup guide
- Conduct software license (sold separately - $1290)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering hardware components and technical support for setup and operation. Extended warranty options and software updates are available through annual service agreements.
Compliance
What cognitive paradigms are supported by the touchscreen system?
The system supports visual discrimination, reversal learning, paired-associate learning, location discrimination, and attention-based paradigms through the Conduct software. Custom protocols can be programmed for specific research requirements.
How is touchscreen sensitivity calibrated for different rodent species?
Calibration routines adjust touch detection thresholds based on species-specific contact pressure and surface area. Mouse chambers use higher sensitivity settings compared to rat configurations to accommodate anatomical differences.
What data outputs are provided during behavioral sessions?
The system records response latencies (millisecond precision), choice accuracy, trial-by-trial performance, correction trial requirements, and session-level learning metrics. Data exports to standard formats for statistical analysis.
Can multiple chambers be operated simultaneously?
Yes, multiple chambers can be controlled from a single computer running Conduct software. Each chamber operates independently with synchronized data collection and protocol management.
What maintenance is required for reliable operation?
Weekly touchscreen cleaning with appropriate solvents, monthly pellet dispenser calibration checks, and quarterly replacement of air filters in the circulation system. Consult product datasheet for detailed maintenance schedules.
How does this system compare to traditional operant chambers?
Touchscreen technology enables more complex visual discrimination tasks compared to lever-based systems, while automated operation reduces experimenter bias and increases throughput for cognitive assessment protocols.
What optional components can be integrated?
Available options include retractable levers, nose poke ports, lickometers, shock grids (0.1-4.0 mA range), TTL interfaces for external synchronization, and custom chamber dimensions for specialized applications.
Is video monitoring capability included?
IR illumination and camera mounting provisions are included, but video recording equipment must be purchased separately. The IR system provides illumination for behavioral monitoring without visible light interference.
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