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Grid Test
SKU ME-5021
$890.00
IncludesStandard care
Motor coordination assessment apparatus featuring elevated grid platforms with precise openings for quantifying foot fault frequency and limb placement accuracy in rodent models of neurological dysfunction.
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Used in a 2022 paper in Journal of Neuroscience
The paper
Mice were placed in an acrylic chamber equipped with a stainless-steel grid floor through which electric shock could be delivered (MazeEngineers).
Maze Engineers is part of ConductScience.
Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- ME-5020/5021
- Shipping box
- 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Plexiglass
The Grid Test is a standardized motor coordination assessment apparatus designed for evaluating limb placement accuracy and sensorimotor function in rodents. The system consists of an elevated grid platform with precisely spaced openings that challenge animals to navigate without foot faults, providing quantitative measurements of motor deficits associated with neurological conditions, injury models, or pharmacological interventions.
Available in two configurations, the Grid Test accommodates different experimental protocols and species requirements. Version 1 features a compact 32 cm x 20 cm platform with 1.1 cm diameter circular openings, while Version 2 provides a larger 41 cm x 41 cm surface with 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm square grid cells. Both versions incorporate plexiglass construction with clear or opaque material options and include rotational capability through a center bar mechanism connected to side poles, enabling both horizontal and vertical grid orientations at 90-degree angles relative to the testing surface.
How It Works
The Grid Test operates on the principle of challenging normal limb placement patterns during locomotion. Animals must navigate across an elevated grid surface where precise paw placement is required to avoid stepping through openings. The test exploits natural rodent locomotor behavior, as healthy animals typically maintain coordinated limb movements that prevent foot faults through grid openings.
Motor deficits manifest as increased foot fault frequency when animals fail to accurately place paws on grid bars, instead allowing limbs to slip through openings. This quantifiable endpoint reflects impairments in sensorimotor integration, proprioception, muscle strength, or coordination. The elevated platform at 20 cm height adds a motivational component, as animals naturally avoid falling while traversing the grid surface.
Test duration of 30 seconds provides sufficient observation time to capture multiple locomotor sequences while minimizing habituation effects. The rotational grid mechanism enables assessment in both horizontal and vertical orientations, allowing evaluation of different motor challenges and gravitational influences on coordination performance.
Features & Benefits
Dual version configurations with different grid dimensions
Accommodates various species sizes and experimental sensitivities, with 1.1 cm openings for fine motor assessment and 3.5 cm cells for broader coordination evaluation.
Rotational grid mechanism with center bar control
Enables testing in both horizontal and vertical orientations to assess different motor challenges and gravitational effects on coordination.
Plexiglass construction with clear or opaque options
Provides durable, easy-to-clean surfaces while allowing material selection based on visual cue requirements for specific protocols.
Elevated platform at 20 cm height
Creates natural motivation for careful paw placement while maintaining standardized testing conditions across laboratories.
Standardized 30-second test duration
Balances adequate observation time with prevention of habituation effects that could confound motor assessment data.
Precise grid opening dimensions
Ensures consistent challenge level across testing sessions and enables reliable quantification of foot fault frequency.
Stable side pole mounting system
Prevents apparatus movement during testing, maintaining consistent platform position for accurate behavioral measurements.
Add-ons and modifications
| Add-on | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Version 1 | $790 | 32 cm x 20 cm x 50 cm (L x W x H) Openings: 1.1 x 1.1 cm diameter openings |
| Version 2 | $890 | 41 cm x 41 cm x 41 cm (L x W x H) Each grid cell 3.5x3.5 cm |
Add any of these to your quote request.
Grid Openings
- 0.5 x 0.5 cm
Wall Height
- 3 inches
Test Duration
- 30 seconds
Grid Elevation
- 20 cm above surface
Test Versions
- ['Vertical Grid test', 'Horizontal Grid test']
Grid Angle
- 90 degrees relative to surface
Rotation Capability
- grid can be rotated via center bar connected to side poles
Behavioral Construct
- Motor Coordination
- Sensorimotor Integration
- Limb Placement Accuracy
- Balance
- Proprioception
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Plexiglass
Color
- Clear
- opaque
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Dimensions
- 12 cm x 12 cm x 20 cm
Research Domain
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Motor Function
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Toxicology
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Size Options | Two versions: 32x20 cm and 41x41 cm platforms | Single platform size in most commercial systems | Enables protocol optimization based on species size and experimental sensitivity requirements. |
| Grid Opening Precision | 1.1 cm diameter circular or 3.5x3.5 cm square openings | Limited opening size options or less precise dimensions | Provides consistent challenge level for reliable foot fault quantification across studies. |
| Orientation Flexibility | 90-degree rotation capability via center bar mechanism | Fixed horizontal orientation in basic models | Enables assessment of different motor challenges and gravitational effects on coordination. |
| Material Options | Clear or opaque plexiglass construction | Single material option without visual customization | Allows protocol adaptation based on visual cue requirements for specific experimental designs. |
| Test Duration Standardization | 30-second standardized test period | Variable or unspecified testing durations | Balances adequate data collection with prevention of habituation effects that could confound results. |
| Elevation Consistency | Standardized 20 cm platform height | Variable heights or lack of specification | Ensures consistent motivational factors and enables reliable cross-laboratory data comparison. |
The Grid Test offers dual-platform configurations with precise opening dimensions and rotational capability, providing standardized motor coordination assessment with greater experimental flexibility than single-configuration alternatives. The system's emphasis on dimensional consistency and material options supports reliable data collection across different experimental protocols.
| Model | SKU | Listed price | Status | Shipping box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Version 2 | ME-5021 | $890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Version 1 | ME-5020 | $790.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
Neuroscience
Assessment of motor coordination deficits in animal models of Parkinson's disease, stroke, or spinal cord injury by quantifying foot fault frequency during grid traversal.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Evaluation of drug effects on motor function and coordination by measuring changes in limb placement accuracy before and after compound administration.
Neurodegeneration
Longitudinal monitoring of progressive motor decline in transgenic models of Huntington's disease, ALS, or other neurodegenerative conditions.
Toxicology
Detection of neurotoxic effects on motor coordination following exposure to environmental contaminants, industrial chemicals, or pharmaceutical compounds.
Motor Function
Phenotypic characterization of genetically modified rodent strains for motor coordination abilities and sensorimotor integration deficits.
Pain Research
Assessment of motor function alterations in chronic pain models where inflammatory or neuropathic conditions may affect limb placement strategies.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify grid opening dimensions periodically using precision calipers to ensure consistent challenge levels across testing sessions.
Why: Dimensional accuracy directly affects foot fault frequency and data comparability.
Maintenance
Inspect plexiglass surfaces for scratches or cracks that could affect animal footing or create stress concentration points.
Why: Surface integrity maintains consistent testing conditions and prevents apparatus failure.
Best Practices
Position video cameras at multiple angles including lateral and ventral views to capture all foot fault events accurately.
Why: Multiple viewing angles prevent missed events and enable detailed behavioral analysis for publication quality data.
Data Quality
Establish inter-rater reliability by having multiple observers score the same video recordings until agreement exceeds 90%.
Why: Consistent scoring criteria ensure reproducible results and strengthen statistical analysis.
Troubleshooting
If animals freeze or refuse to traverse the grid, reduce ambient lighting or provide gentle encouragement rather than forced placement.
Why: Natural locomotion provides more meaningful motor assessment data than stress-induced movement patterns.
Safety
Monitor animals closely during testing and provide soft landing surface below the apparatus in case of falls.
Why: Animal welfare protocols require minimization of injury risk while maintaining experimental validity.
Best Practices
Allow 5-10 minutes between subjects for apparatus cleaning and environmental settling to prevent olfactory cues from affecting behavior.
Why: Residual scents can influence animal anxiety levels and movement patterns, confounding motor assessments.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect Components
Remove grid apparatus from packaging and verify plexiglass platform integrity, checking for cracks or damage that could affect animal safety or data quality.
Platform Assembly
Assemble the elevated platform ensuring stable positioning at 20 cm height and secure attachment of side poles to prevent wobbling during testing.
Grid Configuration
Install selected grid insert (Version 1 or 2) and verify proper seating within the platform frame, ensuring consistent opening dimensions throughout the surface.
Positioning Setup
Position apparatus in testing room with adequate lighting and minimal environmental distractions, ensuring clear observation angles for foot fault scoring.
Camera Alignment
If using video recording, position cameras to capture lateral and ventral views of grid traversal, enabling accurate foot fault identification and behavioral analysis.
Grid Orientation Adjustment
Use center bar mechanism to set desired grid angle, verifying 90-degree positioning for vertical tests or horizontal alignment as required by protocol.
Animal Acclimation
Allow brief pre-test exposure to apparatus without data collection to reduce exploration behavior during formal testing sessions.
What’s in the Box
- Grid Test platform assembly (Version 1 or 2 as specified)
- Plexiglass grid insert with specified opening dimensions
- Side pole mounting hardware
- Center bar rotation mechanism
- Assembly hardware and tools (typical)
- Operating instructions manual (typical)
- Calibration verification documentation (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support available for setup guidance and protocol optimization.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesGrid Test protocols support transparent reporting of animal research methodology as recommended for motor behavior assessments.
IACUC Protocol RequirementsApparatus design facilitates compliance with institutional animal care protocols through standardized, minimally invasive motor testing procedures.
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)Standardized dimensions and test parameters enable consistent data collection meeting regulatory study requirements for preclinical research.
Q
What is the optimal acclimation period before formal testing?
A
Brief exposure of 1-2 minutes allows familiarization with the apparatus while preventing excessive exploration that could interfere with motor assessment during the formal 30-second test period.
Q
How should foot faults be scored consistently across observers?
A
Define foot faults as any instance where a paw slips through grid openings below the ankle joint level, using slow-motion video review when necessary for accurate quantification.
Q
Can the apparatus accommodate juvenile or aged animals safely?
A
The 20 cm elevation and grid opening dimensions are optimized for adult rodents; consult product datasheet for age-specific modifications or alternative configurations for very young or frail animals.
Q
What is the recommended cleaning protocol between subjects?
A
Clean plexiglass surfaces with 70% ethanol or appropriate disinfectant, ensuring complete drying before next subject to prevent olfactory cues that could influence behavior.
Q
How does grid orientation affect motor assessment sensitivity?
A
Horizontal grids primarily assess coordination and proprioception, while vertical grids add gravitational challenge requiring greater muscle strength and balance control for accurate scoring.
Q
What environmental factors should be controlled during testing?
A
Maintain consistent lighting, minimize external noise and vibrations, and ensure stable room temperature to prevent environmental variables from confounding motor performance measurements.
Q
Can the test distinguish between different types of motor impairments?
A
Foot fault patterns may vary with different pathologies - consult literature for specific disease models, as coordination deficits, weakness, and proprioceptive loss produce distinct behavioral signatures.
Have a question about this product?
Track rodents with ConductVision
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
To check whether ConductVision scores your protocol in this apparatus, ask in your quote request.
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