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Continuous Novel Object Recognition
SKU CS-958244
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IncludesStandard care
Behavioral testing system for quantitative assessment of recognition memory and object exploration patterns in laboratory animals using automated tracking capabilities.
CE MarkedBAA available
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- CS-958244
- Shipping box
- 65.0 x 36.0 x 27.0 cm
- Ordering
- Quote-reviewed before fulfillment
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Confirm accessories, station layout, and support needs before purchase
The Continuous Novel Object Recognition system provides researchers with a standardized platform for assessing recognition memory and exploratory behavior in laboratory animals. This behavioral testing apparatus leverages the innate tendency of animals to explore novel objects more than familiar ones, enabling quantitative measurement of cognitive function without the need for food or water restriction protocols.
The system supports automated tracking of exploration patterns, object interaction times, and discrimination indices across multiple test sessions. Standard protocols typically involve habituation phases followed by training and test phases with systematically varied object presentations, allowing researchers to evaluate both short-term and long-term memory formation under controlled experimental conditions.
How It Works
The Continuous Novel Object Recognition paradigm exploits the natural exploratory preference of animals for novel versus familiar objects. During the training phase, subjects are presented with two identical objects and allowed to explore freely. The system tracks exploration time, defined as active investigation with the nose positioned within a specified distance of the object while facing toward it.
In the subsequent test phase, one familiar object is replaced with a novel object. Animals with intact recognition memory will preferentially explore the novel object, demonstrating discrimination between familiar and unfamiliar stimuli. The discrimination index is calculated as (novel exploration time - familiar exploration time) / (total exploration time), providing a normalized measure of recognition memory performance that accounts for individual differences in total activity levels.
Automated tracking systems record positional data, orientation vectors, and object proximity measurements throughout each session. This eliminates observer bias and enables precise quantification of exploration patterns, approach behaviors, and discrimination performance across extended testing protocols.
Features & Benefits
Automated tracking and analysis
Eliminates observer bias and provides objective quantification of exploration behaviors with precise temporal resolution
Continuous monitoring capability
Enables extended testing protocols and real-time assessment of behavioral changes across multiple experimental phases
Standardized arena configuration
Ensures reproducible testing conditions and enables reliable comparison of results across laboratories and studies
Flexible object presentation protocols
Supports various experimental designs including delay testing, repeated exposures, and complex discrimination paradigms
Integrated data acquisition system
Records comprehensive behavioral metrics including exploration time, approach patterns, and spatial positioning data
No food or water restriction required
Utilizes innate exploratory behavior without confounding effects of motivational state manipulation on performance
Behavioral Construct
- Recognition Memory
- Exploratory Behavior
- Object Discrimination
- Cognitive Function
Automation Level
- semi-automated
Research Domain
- Addiction Research
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning and Memory
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Shipping weight
- 6.06 lb
Shipping box
- L: 65.0 cm
- W: 36.0 cm
- H: 27.0 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracking Method | Automated continuous tracking with real-time analysis | Manual observation and timing methods | Eliminates observer bias and provides objective, reproducible measurements of exploration behavior |
| Data Resolution | Continuous behavioral monitoring throughout sessions | Discrete time point sampling methods | Captures complete exploration patterns and temporal dynamics of object investigation |
| Protocol Flexibility | Configurable timing parameters and object presentation sequences | Fixed protocol designs with limited customization | Supports diverse experimental designs and research-specific requirements |
| Motivation Requirements | No food or water restriction needed | Reward-based paradigms requiring restriction protocols | Utilizes natural exploratory behavior without potential confounding effects of motivational state |
The system provides automated, objective assessment of recognition memory through continuous behavioral tracking without requiring food or water restriction protocols. The platform supports flexible experimental designs with standardized arena configurations for reproducible testing across laboratories.
Neuroscience
Evaluating hippocampal-dependent recognition memory in transgenic mouse models to assess cognitive deficits associated with neurodegeneration.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Testing cognitive enhancement or impairment effects of pharmacological compounds on object recognition performance across dose-response paradigms.
Learning and Memory
Investigating temporal dynamics of memory consolidation by varying delay intervals between training and test phases in object recognition protocols.
Aging Research
Characterizing age-related decline in recognition memory function by comparing object discrimination performance between young and aged cohorts.
Toxicology
Assessing neurotoxic effects of environmental or industrial compounds on cognitive function through standardized object recognition testing protocols.
Addiction Research
Evaluating cognitive impairments associated with chronic drug exposure using object recognition tasks that do not require food or water motivation.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify tracking accuracy using known reference measurements before each testing session.
Why: Ensures precise quantification of exploration distances and object proximity measurements
Maintenance
Clean all surfaces with ethanol between subjects and replace objects showing wear or damage.
Why: Prevents olfactory cues from previous subjects and maintains consistent object properties
Best Practices
Counterbalance object positions and identities across subjects to control for spatial or object preferences.
Why: Eliminates systematic bias that could confound interpretation of recognition memory performance
Data Quality
Exclude trials with total exploration times below minimum thresholds from statistical analysis.
Why: Ensures sufficient sample behavior for reliable calculation of discrimination indices
Troubleshooting
Check for consistent lighting conditions if tracking accuracy appears compromised.
Why: Variable illumination can affect automated detection of animal position and orientation
Safety
Inspect objects regularly for sharp edges or small parts that could pose ingestion risks.
Why: Maintains animal welfare standards during exploratory behavior assessment
Setup Guide
System Assembly
Assemble the testing arena according to specifications and verify all tracking sensors are properly aligned and calibrated.
Object Preparation
Select object sets that are visually and tactilely distinct but equivalent in size and manipulability to prevent confounding factors.
Environmental Standardization
Establish consistent lighting conditions and eliminate external visual cues that could serve as spatial landmarks during testing.
Tracking Calibration
Calibrate the automated tracking system using reference measurements and verify accuracy of distance and timing calculations.
Habituation Protocol
Allow subjects to habituate to the testing arena for the specified duration without objects to reduce neophobia responses.
Baseline Assessment
Conduct baseline sessions with identical object pairs to establish individual exploration patterns and detect any inherent object preferences.
Data Collection
Execute the full experimental protocol with appropriate inter-session intervals and counterbalanced object presentations across subjects.
What’s in the Box
- Main tracking unit (typical)
- Testing arena components (typical)
- Object set for standardized testing (typical)
- Calibration tools (typical)
- Data acquisition software (typical)
- User manual and protocol guide (typical)
- Power supply and cables (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering hardware components and defects in materials or workmanship, with technical support for software and protocol optimization.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesSupports standardized reporting of animal research through automated data collection and objective behavioral measurements
NIH Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory AnimalsCommonly used in facilities operating under institutional animal care and use committee oversight for cognitive testing protocols
Q
What exploration time thresholds should be used to define valid object investigation?
A
Standard protocols typically require a minimum of 10-15 seconds total exploration time during training phases, with exploration defined as active investigation within 2-3 cm of the object while oriented toward it.
Q
How are discrimination indices calculated and interpreted?
A
The discrimination index is calculated as (novel exploration time - familiar exploration time) / total exploration time, with values above 0.1-0.2 generally indicating significant recognition memory.
Q
What delay intervals are appropriate between training and test phases?
A
Short-term memory is typically assessed with 1-4 hour delays, while long-term memory protocols use 24-48 hour intervals. Consult product datasheet for supported timing configurations.
Q
How should objects be selected to avoid confounding factors?
A
Objects should be equivalent in size and manipulability but distinct in visual and tactile properties, with no inherent preference bias demonstrated in pilot testing.
Q
What sample sizes are recommended for statistical power?
A
Typical protocols require 8-12 animals per group to detect medium effect sizes, though power analysis should be conducted based on expected effect magnitude and variance.
Q
Can the system accommodate different arena sizes or configurations?
A
Consult product datasheet for available arena dimensions and customization options for specific experimental requirements.
Have a question about this product?
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ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it scores standard rodent tests, such as those listed below.
Examples of tests it scores
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