Lashley III
Classic four-arm maze system for assessing spatial learning, route navigation, and working memory in rodents through controlled decision-point navigation tasks.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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The Lashley III maze is a classic learning and memory assessment apparatus designed to evaluate spatial navigation and route learning capabilities in rodents. Originally developed by Karl Lashley in 1929 for cortical lesioning studies, this four-arm maze system requires subjects to navigate from an integrated start box through multiple decision points to reach a goal box. The apparatus features five decision points with controllable doors and eight blind alleys, creating a complex spatial learning task that assesses working memory, spatial cognition, and route optimization strategies.
Available in both mouse and rat configurations, the maze is constructed from black acrylic with transparent Plexiglas lids for optimal visibility during testing. The modular design incorporates non-transparent walls to eliminate external visual cues, focusing assessment on spatial memory rather than landmark navigation. This low-stress paradigm is typically conducted during the dark phase without aversive stimuli, making it suitable for repeated testing protocols to assess learning curves and memory consolidation over time.
How It Works
The Lashley III maze operates on the principle of spatial route learning, where subjects must navigate through a series of decision points to reach a reward location. The apparatus presents five decision points, each equipped with controllable 4x4 cm doors positioned 11 cm from outer walls, creating multiple pathway options. Eight blind alleys provide incorrect choices that subjects must learn to avoid, requiring the development of spatial working memory to optimize navigation routes.
During testing, subjects begin in the start box and must traverse the four-arm configuration to reach the goal box, encountering decision points that test their ability to maintain spatial information and avoid previously unsuccessful pathways. The transparent lid system allows for behavioral observation while the non-transparent acrylic walls eliminate external visual cues, ensuring that navigation relies on spatial memory rather than landmark recognition. The modular design permits protocol modifications, including the addition of pseudo-home cages for extended behavioral assessment paradigms.
Features & Benefits
maze_arm_length
- 45 cm
maze_arm_height
- 7 cm
maze_arm_width
- 5 cm
decision_point_doors
- 4 x 4 cm
decision_point_door_position
- 11 cm from outer walls
start_box_dimensions
- 8 x 9.5 x 7 cm
goal_box_dimensions
- 19.5 x 7 x 5 cm
number_of_decision_points
- 5
number_of_blind_alleys
- 8
number_of_maze_arms
- 4
base_material
- Red Plexiglas
wall_transparency
- Non-transparent acrylic walls
lid_transparency
- Transparent Plexiglas lids
design_type
- Modular
Color
- Black
- Blue
- Clear
- Green
- Grey
- Red
- White
- Yellow
Behavioral Construct
- Spatial Working Memory
- Route Learning
- Spatial Navigation
- Cognitive Flexibility
- Error Correction
- Memory Consolidation
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Black acrylic
- Plexiglas
Display Type
- None
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning and Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Weight
- 21.0 kg
Dimensions
- L: 43.2 mm
- W: 38.0 mm
- H: 27.9 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision Points | 5 controllable decision points | Simpler mazes often provide 2-3 choice points | More decision points enable complex spatial memory assessment with multiple route optimization opportunities |
| Blind Alleys | 8 blind alleys across four arms | Basic T-mazes or Y-mazes offer fewer error options | Multiple blind alleys test error correction learning and spatial working memory capacity |
| Species Configurations | Dedicated mouse and rat dimensional scaling | One-size-fits-all approaches common in entry-level systems | Species-specific dimensions ensure appropriate spatial scale for natural navigation behaviors |
| Visual Isolation | Non-transparent acrylic walls with clear observation lids | Basic mazes may use transparent or wire walls throughout | Eliminates external visual cues while maintaining behavioral observation capabilities |
| Door Control System | Controllable doors at each decision point | Static maze configurations without pathway control | Enables protocol flexibility and systematic manipulation of available routes |
| Modular Design | Modular component system for customization | Fixed maze configurations limit experimental flexibility | Allows protocol modifications and addition of specialized components like pseudo-home cages |
The Lashley III maze offers comprehensive spatial learning assessment through five decision points, eight blind alleys, and species-specific dimensional scaling. The modular design with controllable doors and visual isolation capabilities provides flexible protocol implementation for route learning research.
| Model | SKU | Listed price | Status | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear | ME-4706-C | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Clear | ME-4705-C | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Yellow | ME-4505/ ME-4506 | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| White | ME-4706-W | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Red | ME-4706-R | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Grey | ME-4706-E | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Green | ME-4706-G | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Blue | ME-4706-U | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Black | ME-4706-B | $1,990.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Yellow | ME-4705-Y | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| White | ME-4705W | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Red | ME-4705-R | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Grey | ME-4705-E | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Green | ME-4705-G | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Blue | ME-4705-U | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Black | ME-4705-B | $1,890.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
Practical Tips
Conduct all testing during the dark phase when rodents are naturally active to optimize performance and reduce stress-related confounds.
Why: Aligns with natural circadian rhythms for more reliable behavioral data
Clean maze sections with 70% ethanol between subjects and allow complete drying to eliminate olfactory cues from previous trials.
Why: Prevents scent-based navigation that could confound spatial memory assessment
Verify door positioning at 11 cm (mouse) or 14 cm (rat) from outer walls before each testing session.
Why: Consistent door placement ensures standardized decision point presentation across trials
Record both path taken and time to completion for comprehensive analysis of learning curves and route optimization strategies.
Why: Multiple behavioral measures provide deeper insight into spatial learning mechanisms
If subjects avoid certain arms consistently, check for structural issues or residual odors that might influence navigation choices.
Why: Ensures behavioral choices reflect spatial memory rather than apparatus-related biases
Allow 5-10 minutes of habituation in the start box before beginning trials to reduce initial anxiety responses.
Why: Minimizes stress-related performance variability and focuses assessment on spatial cognition
Ensure all modular connections are secure and lid sections properly fitted to prevent subject escape during testing.
Why: Maintains subject safety and prevents data loss from incomplete trials
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Modular maze sections (start box, four arms, goal box)
- Decision point doors with positioning hardware
- Transparent Plexiglas lid sections
- Assembly instructions and protocol guide
- Hardware for modular connections (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for setup and protocol optimization.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What are the key dimensional differences between mouse and rat configurations?
Mouse mazes feature 45 cm arm length with 4x4 cm doors, while rat versions provide 60 cm arms with 6x6 cm doors. All other proportions scale accordingly, including goal box and start box dimensions.
How many decision points and blind alleys does the maze contain?
The apparatus includes five decision points with controllable doors and eight blind alleys distributed across the four-arm configuration, creating multiple choice scenarios for spatial learning assessment.
Can the maze be modified for different experimental protocols?
Yes, the modular design allows for protocol modifications, including the addition of pseudo-home cages and custom door configurations to adapt to specific research requirements.
Is the base platform included with the maze system?
No, the base platform is sold separately and must be ordered as an additional component for complete apparatus setup.
What material construction ensures proper visual isolation?
The maze features non-transparent black acrylic walls that eliminate external visual cues, combined with transparent Plexiglas lids for behavioral observation during testing.
How does this compare to other spatial learning paradigms?
Unlike radial arm mazes or water mazes, the Lashley III focuses specifically on route learning without aversive stimuli, making it suitable for repeated testing and stress-sensitive protocols.
What recording capabilities are supported?
The transparent lid system enables video recording and behavioral tracking, though specific tracking software integration would need to be configured separately based on research needs.
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