Zero Maze
Elevated circular behavioral apparatus for anxiety assessment and exploratory behavior testing in mice and rats, featuring non-reflective acrylic construction and easy cleaning protocols.
| wall_height | 40cm |
| doors_available | Less than 4 |
| wall_height_modification | Additional height available |
| Automation Level | manual |
| Dimensions | 40cm |
| Species | Mouse, Rat |
The Zero Maze is a behavioral testing apparatus designed for assessment of anxiety-related behaviors and exploratory activity in rodents. Constructed from non-reflective matted acrylic, this elevated circular platform provides an alternative to the elevated plus maze for measuring thigmotactic behavior and anxiety responses in laboratory animals.
The apparatus features a continuous circular pathway with wall sections creating open and closed areas, allowing researchers to quantify time spent in protected versus exposed zones. Available in mouse and rat configurations with species-appropriate dimensions, the Zero Maze eliminates center square effects present in traditional plus maze designs. The odorless acrylic construction facilitates easy cleaning with 70% ethanol between subjects, supporting standardized behavioral protocols.
How It Works
The Zero Maze operates on the principle of approach-avoidance conflict, where rodents exhibit natural thigmotactic behavior (preference for wall contact) when placed in an elevated, partially exposed environment. The circular design creates alternating open and closed sections, with animals typically spending more time in closed areas that provide wall contact and shelter.
Anxiety levels are quantified by measuring the ratio of time spent in open versus closed sections, along with entries into open areas and overall locomotor activity. The elevated position (40cm height) adds an aversive component that enhances the anxiety-provoking nature of the open sections. Unlike traditional plus maze designs, the continuous circular pathway eliminates the central square, preventing animals from remaining in a neutral zone and forcing choice behaviors between protected and exposed areas.
Features & Benefits
wall_height
- 40cm
doors_available
- Less than 4
wall_height_modification
- Additional height available
Color
- Black
- Blue
- Clear
- Grey
- White
Behavioral Construct
- Anxiety
- Exploratory behavior
- Thigmotaxis
- Locomotor activity
Automation Level
- manual
Dimensions
- 40cm
Research Domain
- Addiction Research
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning and Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Weight
- 6.06 lbs
Dimensions
- L: 65.0 in
- W: 36.0 in
- H: 27.0 in
Comparison Guide
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Design | Continuous circular pathway without center square | Plus maze designs often include central neutral zones | Forces active choice behaviors between protected and exposed areas without neutral zone dwelling. |
| Construction Material | Non-reflective matted acrylic | Standard acrylic or plastic materials may have reflective surfaces | Prevents light artifacts and visual disturbances that could confound behavioral responses. |
| Species Configurations | Dedicated mouse and rat sizing with optimized entry dimensions | Single-size designs may not optimize spatial scaling | Species-appropriate dimensions ensure natural exploratory behaviors and consistent anxiety responses. |
| Color Options | Five color choices including black, blue, clear, grey, and white | Limited color options in standard models | Enables optimization for video contrast and tracking system compatibility across different laboratory setups. |
| Customization Options | Door modifications and additional wall height available | Fixed configurations limit protocol flexibility | Allows protocol customization for specialized experimental designs and research requirements. |
| Cleaning Protocol | Easy cleaning with standard 70% ethanol | Some materials require specialized cleaning agents | Simple decontamination procedures maintain consistent baseline conditions between test sessions. |
The Zero Maze offers a continuous circular design that eliminates center square effects while providing species-specific sizing and customization options. The non-reflective matted acrylic construction with multiple color choices optimizes video tracking compatibility and reduces environmental confounds.
Practical Tips
Verify platform height at 40cm and ensure level positioning before each testing session.
Why: Consistent elevation maintains the aversive stimulus necessary for anxiety-related behavioral responses.
Inspect acrylic surfaces for scratches or damage that could create visual artifacts during video tracking.
Why: Surface imperfections can interfere with automated behavioral analysis and introduce measurement variability.
Allow 30-60 minutes for animal acclimation to the testing room environment before behavioral assessment.
Why: Adequate acclimation reduces stress-related confounds and improves baseline behavioral consistency.
Position video cameras directly overhead to capture the entire circular pathway without blind spots.
Why: Complete visual coverage ensures accurate tracking of transitions between open and closed sections.
If animals show excessive freezing behavior, reduce ambient lighting or provide longer acclimation periods.
Why: Excessive fear responses can mask subtle anxiety-related behaviors and reduce protocol sensitivity.
Monitor animals continuously during testing to prevent falls and ensure immediate intervention if needed.
Why: The elevated platform requires safety oversight to protect animal welfare during behavioral assessment.
Randomize the starting position within closed sections to prevent position bias effects.
Why: Consistent starting positions can create learned associations that confound natural exploratory patterns.
Store the apparatus in a dust-free environment and cover when not in use to maintain surface clarity.
Why: Clean surfaces are essential for accurate video tracking and consistent visual conditions across test sessions.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Zero Maze platform assembly (typical)
- Wall sections and barriers (typical)
- Assembly hardware and mounting brackets (typical)
- User manual with protocol guidelines (typical)
- Cleaning and maintenance instructions (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support available for protocol optimization and troubleshooting.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What is the Zero Maze?
The Zero Maze (Elevated Zero Maze) is a circular variation of the Elevated Plus Maze, eliminating the ambiguous center zone. It consists of alternating open and enclosed quadrants arranged on a circular elevated track.
How does the Zero Maze work?
Rodents freely explore the circular track divided into two open and two enclosed quadrants. Time spent in open versus enclosed sections measures anxiety-like behavior, with the circular design removing the center-square scoring ambiguity of the plus maze.
What research applications use the Zero Maze?
The Zero Maze provides an unambiguous measure of anxiety-like behavior for anxiolytic drug screening. Its continuous design eliminates center-dwell artifacts, making it preferred for precise anxiety quantification in pharmacological studies.
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