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Automation of the Morris water-maze test requires robust tracking, flexible zone design, good experiment management and a selection of specialist results
ANY-maze provides all these features and more. Use the tabs below to learn more about using ANY-maze with the Morris water-maze.
We've included some videos of real water-maze tests, so you can see the system in action, as well as details on recommended equipment, such as suitable cameras, and a list of results that are especially useful in this test.
Tracking
Tracking in the water-maze poses a unique set of challenges including reflections from the water, instances when the animal dives and the wide variation in conditions under which the test is performed.
The video on the right shows ANY-maze tracking an animal in a black maze in very low light. Note the reflection in the top-right, which, while not severe, is very similar in shape and colour to the rat. Despite these challenges, ANY-maze tracks without errors.
Starting tests
Another common requirement in the water-maze is for tracking to start as soon as the animal is placed in the maze. In ANY-maze this can be achieved using the auto-start option, which automatically begins the test as soon as the experimenter leaves the camera’s view – as demonstrated in this video.
In some cases this may not be fast enough – for example, if the experimenter has to walk around the apparatus in order to leave the camera’s view – in which case you can use an ANY-maze remote start switch, to begin the test the instant the animal enters the water.
Moveable zones
The water-maze usually includes an escape platform, but this is often placed in a different location for each animal. In ANY-maze it’s easy to create moveable zones together with a list of the different locations they can adopt – see the image in the right.
Once the platform zone is set up, you just have to tell ANY-maze where it will be located for each animal and the software does the rest – automatically taking the location into consideration when determining test end, calculating results, etc.
Dividing the experiment into stages
Water-maze experiments are almost always divided into different stages, for example a training stage and a probe stage. ANY-maze allows you to specify the experiment design so it is aware of the different stages and the trials within them.
This means that while running the tests ANY-maze can automatically assess such things as training criteria, and it also helps when analysing results, as you can easily perform comparisons between different groups in different stages and/or trials.
Track plots and heat maps
Track plots and heat maps provide excellent tools for visualising the animals’ search strategies in the water-maze. Track plots can be colour coded, for example, by time segment, and can include markers to indicate where specific events occurred.
Heat maps can show data for an individual test, but can also show mean data for groups of animals – which can be very useful for visually comparing the groups’ performance in probe trials.
Both formats can easily be copied and pasted into presentations or saved in high resolution for publication.
Nothing’s set in stone
In ANY-maze almost everything defined in the protocol can be altered before, during or even after an experiment has been performed.
For example, you might perform a water-maze experiment without including a Thigmotaxis zone – but this wouldn’t prevent you from adding one afterwards. ANY-maze would simply re-analyse the tracking data and almost instantly report the results for the new zone – watch the video to see this in action.
Results
ANY-maze can provide literally hundreds of results for any test, but some of those that are commonly used in the water-maze include:
- Latency to enter the platform zone
- Distance travelled before entering the platform zone
- Time in the platform zone quadrant
- Time in any defined zone, for example a thigmotaxis zone
- Time in Whishaw’s corridor
- Distance travelled in Whishaw’s corridor
- Corrected integrated path length (CIPL)
Tracking a rat in a water-maze
in low light
In this example a white rat is tracked in a dark coloured maze. The lighting was low (around 3 lux), but a sensitive camera was used so the apparatus appears to be well lit.
Tracking a white rat in a white
water-maze
Another real-world example of tracking, this time a white rat is tracked in a white water-maze, so there’s little contrast between the animal and the background.
Tracking in a black water-maze in
very low light
This example pushes things to the limit – a white rat is tracked in a dark coloured maze, but in extremely low light.
Mazes
We manufacture our own water-maze, which is available in three diameters. The maze is mounted on a wheeled cart which provides convenience in positioning and storing, as well as elevating the maze making it easier to use and to drain. The cart has swivel casters with wheel brakes.
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Cameras
USB camera
The ANY-maze USB camera is an excellent choice for the water-maze. We recommend fitting this camera with a varifocal (zoom) lens, so you can simply mount the camera on the ceiling and then zoom in and out until the maze nicely fits the camera's view.
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Webcam
A webcam provides an inexpensive alternative to the ANY-maze camera. If you intend to test in normal lighting conditions (>= 100 lux) and you can mount the camera far enough from the maze for it to see it all, then a webcam should work well. Another potential issue is the cable length; most webcams have quite short cables.
Lighting
Visible light
You should try to avoid direct lighting over the maze. A good solution is to shine lights up at the sides of the room so the light reflects off the ceiling - this usually creates uniform difuse illumination over the maze and reduces reflections.
Infrared illuminator
If you intend to track in low light (< 10 lux) or in darkness, then you will do best to use an infrared illuminator and an infrared sensitive camera (most cameras are IR sensitive). Again, pointing the illuminator at the ceiling - so the light reflects down onto the maze - usually reduces reflections.
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Accessories
ANY‑maze Radio remote control
The ANY‑maze Radio remote control provides a convenient way to start the test as soon as the animal is in the maze. This remote works through walls and has 2 buttons, allowing you to control two apparatus independently.
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Wired remote control
The ANY-maze wired remote control provides a convenient way to start the test as soon as the animal is in the maze. This remote connects to a USB port on the PC and is water-proof, making it ideal for use with wet hands.
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