WaterMazeScan
WaterMazeScan automates analysis of the Morris water maze experiment. It can be used with a variety of experimental paradigms and strategies. Since the TopScan architecture allows analysis with user-defined zones, WaterMazeScan makes it easy to track variables such as time in quadrant, thigmotaxicity, proximity to platform, and any other zone-based statistic. The program also collects traditional data like latency to platform, length of swim path, and mean velocity. The program works with Atlantis paradigms, and a remote control device for the Atlantis platform is available.
Product Description [PDF opens in new window]
System Requirements
- Windows-based PC (XP, 2000)
- Intel high-speed processor (Pentium 4 or better)
- Special videocard for real-time analysis
- Large HDD capacity for storage
- Good lighting conditions
- IR camera or red light for dark experiments
- Video-multiplexer for multi-camera feed
One major advantage to WaterMazeScan is the ability to collect non-standard data that many researchers have recently become interested in. These include:
- Turning ratio: The ratio of path length over number of turns. A turn is counted when the animal makes a turn larger than x degrees (where x is a user-defined variable; default is 90).
- Proximity score: A average calculated by measuring the animal's distance from the platform during each second of the trial. This score is a measure of deviation from the ideal path to the platform.
- Heading error: An instance of swimming away from the visible platform, measured in deviation angle.
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Another novel measure, "turn around", has been developed specially for WaterMazeScan. In the water maze, animals have complete freedom of movement and tend to make rapid turns. WaterMazeScan counts the number of turn around events and measures the angle of turns. This can be used to measure "circling" behavior in the Morris water maze, which has been associated with movement disorders, dementia, and brain damage or deformation.
WaterMazeScan can also detect events based on distance between two points (e.g., between start and destination points), orientation to a point, or deviation from a path.
All events are recorded as a list. WaterMazeScan makes it easy to view events: simply double-click the list item to view the video segment associated with that event. The TopScan database structure makes it easy to organize and export analysis results to a statistical program. Because all analysis is video-based, new parameters can be added after the initial experiment is finished, allowing great end-user flexibility.
WaterMazeScan can perform high-throughput analysis of up to 4 arenas per system.
Complete turnkey systems (including all necessary hardware and software) are available. Custom design of your environment to facilitate analysis, including lighting condition setup, IR/red light setup, cage enclosures, video integration, and video-feed to computer is also available.