Behavioral research software MAZESOFT-8

preclinicalfor animal researchfor research

Presentation
MAZESOFT-8 is software for running and recording radial maze experiments with rats and mice. It is designed to interface with BIOSEB radial maze apparatus equipped with rows of infrared/photoelectrical photocells to detect animal position automatically.

Operating principle
Protocols for working and reference memory tests are configurable: designation of baited arms, trial stop conditions, inter-trial interval, door control mode (manual or automatic) and criteria for considering an arm visited. Protocol files can be saved and reopened. Trial header metadata (trial code, experimenter, challenge, dose, subject ID, comments) are stored with each session. The virtual maze is divided into 17 sections (8 arms each split into proximal and distal sections, plus a central area). An arm is considered visited when the subject is detected in the distal section. During trials, elapsed time, permanence per area and current animal position are displayed in real time, with graphical visualization of positions and visit counts. A runtime panel shows cumulative working and reference memory errors, response latency and visit lists. Session summary tables and detailed chronological position listings can be reorganized and exported to Excel.

Parameters Measured

• Experiment duration
• Current animal position (rat or mouse)
• Number of working memory errors (first visits to baited arms)
• Number of reference memory errors (visits to unbaited arms)
• Number of repeated working/reference visits to baited arms
• Total number of visited arms
• Response latency (total experiment duration ÷ total visited arms)
• Number of different arms visited (0–8)
• Number of arms visited until an error (including the last visited arm)
• Chronological list of visited arms
• Chronological list of entries into arms
• Chronological list of entries into maze zones

Domains of application

• Learning and memory studies including:
  • Age-related learning deficits
  • Alzheimer's disease and brain injury models
  • Huntington's disease models
  • Multiple sclerosis studies
  • Parkinson's disease models
  • HIV-related neurological studies
  • Basic neurobiological mechanisms of learning and memory
  • Assessment of learning and memory after drug administration

Key features

• Configurable protocols for standard memory tests
• Infrared/photoelectrical photocell detection of animal position
• Manual or automatic arm door control
• Integrated parameters (error counts, distinct arms visited, etc.)
• Reorganisation of data reports according to trial header factors (subject, group, experimenter)
• Data export to Excel

Technical specifications

• Commercial designation: MAZESOFT-8
• Product type: Software for radial maze experiments
• Reference code: MAZESOFT8
• Designed for BIOSEB radial maze apparatus equipped with rows of infrared/photoelectrical photocells
• Supported subjects: rats and mice
• Virtual maze division: 17 sections (8 arms with proximal/distal sections + central area)
• Arm visit detection criterion: detection in distal part of arm
• Real-time visualization: elapsed time, permanence per area, current position, visits and entries
• Runtime panel: cumulative working/reference memory errors, response latency, visit lists
• Protocol management: configurable parameters, save/open protocol files, trial header metadata
• Data export: summary tables and detailed chronological data exportable to Excel
• Price (tax excl.): 0.00 (system shows price amount 0)