T-Maze

The location of the animal in the T-Maze may be acquired by infrared sensors or by our videotracking system. Our videotracking system may be used to detect the position of the animal in openfields and various mazes (Y, T, radial maze, elevated + maze, water maze,…).

Apparatus

The T-maze is mounted on a 50-cm high aluminum structure. The 3 arms of the maze are ended by a compartment limited by an automated door closing from the bottom.

The animal is placed in the starting arm and is asked to reach the end of an ending arm. A pellet dispenser may be added at the extremity of the arms.

Each T-Maze is connected to an electronic interface, which provides the formatting of signals from infrared sensors and allows communication with the computer.

Software

The software allows the simultaneous and independent management of up to 6 T-Mazes. Our software:

• displays the behavioral outputs as graphs in real time,
• manages the experiment with controlling the doors, and the distribution of rewards,
• records the position of the animal,
• replays the experiments with different parameters

A software module for managing data files can calculate output variables:

• lateralization,
• behavioral responses (correct, incorrect),
• latency,
• number of entries in each arm, sequence of visits,
• time spent in each arm,
• kinetics of all variables.

A large number of variables may be obtained. They are arranged in a Microsoft Excel compatible file.

Coupling with Electrophysiology / Optogenetics

We propose solutions to couple the analysis of the behavior with electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic activation.

Electrophysiology

We propose:

• a 64-channel electric commutator, equipped with a sophisticated rotation and rearing compensator,
• a communication system to send TTLs pulses to an external device (such as a electrophysiological Input board). These electric signals are synchronous with the events that we manage on our software. In this way, all the events (anilal behavior as well as activation of actuators) will be signed on your electrophysiological trace.

Optogenetics

We developed:

• a rotation and rearing compensator, compatible with any optical commutator,
• a device to activate lasers. This accessory sends electric signals up to 500Hz. The experimenter decides the exact moment according to clocks or behavioral outputs at which a customized train of pulses may be sent to the laser to specifically activate the aimed bunch of neurons.