I°) Apparatus :
* A structure which forms a "+" ( PVC built ) is built on a metallic chassis (50 cm high).
* 2 opposited arms are opened (without walls) and the 2 others are closed.
* The 2 opened arms can be folded back and the maze can be put away easier when it's not used.
* Some infrared sensors are disposed in the structure to assure the animal localisation and to detect its head-dippings and streched-attends.
This apparatus is connected to an electronic interface, which permits the communication with the computer.
* animal graphical follow-up (see above the grey circle);
* recording of positions and moments of positions' changes;
* replay record;
Another module of the software permits to manage some outputs variables like:
- Latency before the first exploration;
- Entries' number in opened arms;
- Entries' number in the second half of the opened arms;
- Entries' number in the closed arms;
- Passed time in opened areas;
- Passed time in the second half of the opened arms;
- Passed time in closed areas;
- Percentages of these times and of entries' numbers;
- Empty space explorations;
- Entries' attempts in opened areas;
- Kinetics of these variables.
- Results are showed in a array which can be imported into EXCEL.