Barnes Maze

Barnes Maze

Learning and memory measurement using spatial navigation

The Barnes Maze from SDI is designed for testing spatial learning and memory tasks in rats and mice. It is modeled after the Barnes maze invented by Carol Barnes of the University of Arizona. With the Barnes Maze, animals receive reinforcement to escape from the brightly lit, open platform surface to a small dark recessed chamber located under the platform called a “target box”. During testing, the mouse or rat learns the spatial location of the target box.

The Barnes Maze task is similar to the Morris Water Maze and Radial Arm Maze but with no dietary restrictions and less stress. A key feature of the SDI Barnes Maze is the inclusion of “false target “boxes that are too small to be entered but look the same as the target box to the mouse or rat. The false target boxes remove visual cues that might be observed through an open hole. Barnes Maze tests can be run with or without the false target boxes.

The SDI Barnes Maze is available in both rat and mice models and can be used with video tracking systems or photobeams to record the test data. The diameter of the Barnes Maze platform measures 36” for mice and 48” for rats. The Barnes Maze is available in your choice of white, black or beige.

Barnes Maze Features

Behavioral phenotyping of mutant mice

Bright circular white platform with 20 holes and stand

"False" target boxes

Photobeam measurement

Software records latency times and holes visited by animal

Barnes Maze with Photobeams System Components

Photobeam Activity System Control Box

Start Tube

Target Boxes

False Target Boxes

Circular Maze Top with 20 Holes

Maze Stand * Photobeams

Barnes Maze Software & User Manual

Barnes Maze without Photobeams System Components