Automated Mouse Maze Advisor: Dr. Michael McDonald Matthew Nichols Anand Krishnan

Project Definition To develop a completely automated T Maze To develop a completely automated T Maze

Maze Usage Mazes are used in learning experiments Mazes are used in learning experiments Can give insight such issues as: Can give insight such issues as: –ADHD –Alzheimer's disease –Genetic alterations –Brain Damage

Maze Usage Mazes are used to compare response of control mice to test mice Mazes are used to compare response of control mice to test mice Test mice can be genetically, surgically, chemically, or naturally altered. Test mice can be genetically, surgically, chemically, or naturally altered. The data from the two sets of mice is collected and compared. The data from the two sets of mice is collected and compared.

T Maze Concept Control mice are taught to follow a pattern in the maze Control mice are taught to follow a pattern in the maze Food or water is used as reward Food or water is used as reward Test mice are then taught to follow same pattern with same reward Test mice are then taught to follow same pattern with same reward The response is the time it takes each set of mice to learn the pattern and how long they can remember their path The response is the time it takes each set of mice to learn the pattern and how long they can remember their path

Variables How long a mouse is held in an arm How long a mouse is held in an arm Food or water can be used interchangeably Food or water can be used interchangeably Different mice with different conditions can be used Different mice with different conditions can be used

Why Automate T Maze concept originally developed using rats T Maze concept originally developed using rats Rats like to be handled, mice do not Rats like to be handled, mice do not Mice soon learn that if they just sit there, they will not be handled Mice soon learn that if they just sit there, they will not be handled

Automating Computer used to track mice, open doors, dispense food and water, and collect data. Mouse only needs to be handled to start and stop the maze

Added Benefits of Automation Frees up the researcher in lengthy test Frees up the researcher in lengthy test Reduces human error in tracking mouse Reduces human error in tracking mouse Data can be stored automatically Data can be stored automatically

Why Design The Maze Automated mazes are commercially available, but not in T maze design Automated mazes are commercially available, but not in T maze design T shape necessary for certain learning experiments T shape necessary for certain learning experiments

Market Potential Psychology and animal research departments at major universities and private bio-tech companies Psychology and animal research departments at major universities and private bio-tech companies Vanderbilt, Brown, Princeton, and many other universities are currently involved in maze projects Vanderbilt, Brown, Princeton, and many other universities are currently involved in maze projects

Key Steps Research computer device interaction Research computer device interaction Research automated doors, feeders, etc… Research automated doors, feeders, etc… Build all necessary circuits to interact with the computer Build all necessary circuits to interact with the computer Write the software to control the maze Write the software to control the maze To test the maze to ensure data can be collected To test the maze to ensure data can be collected

Major Obstacles Computer and Device I/O Computer and Device I/O Tracking the mouse Tracking the mouse Mouse behavior Mouse behavior Simple computer interface Simple computer interface

Maze Construction and Design Digital I/O card used for computer device interface Digital I/O card used for computer device interface Infrared sensors used to track the mouse Infrared sensors used to track the mouse Commercially available automated doors will be used Commercially available automated doors will be used Software will written in Visual Basic Software will written in Visual Basic

Maze Diagram

Data Storage Data will be stored in a spread sheet format Data will be stored in a spread sheet format Time it takes mouse to run maze and error rate will be recorded Time it takes mouse to run maze and error rate will be recorded

Current Progress Physical maze constructed Physical maze constructed Digital I/O card installed Digital I/O card installed Maze Control Cards Constructed Maze Control Cards Constructed Program Half Way complated Program Half Way complated

Sticking Points IR SENSORS IR SENSORS Unexpected mice activity Unexpected mice activity

Future Work Use 1 computer controls multiple mazes Use 1 computer controls multiple mazes Increase the number of test patterns the mouse could run Increase the number of test patterns the mouse could run