Rat visual water maze task training device and training method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of animal experiments, and particularly relates to a mouse visual water maze task training device and method, during training, a control system controls two display stimulation mechanisms to display different stimulation images respectively, a mouse starts from an initial area, the different stimulation images are observed in an observation choice area, and the mouse visual water maze task is trained. The detection mechanism detects the termination block into which the mouse enters, the control system judges the selection condition of the mouse according to the stimulation image and the detection result of the detection mechanism, and if the selection is correct, the safety mechanism is started for the mouse to stay, and if the selection is wrong, the control system does not act. According to the method, the instinct that the mouse seeks a safety platform in water is utilized, so that the mouse can quickly establish neural association between a stimulation target and a final space positioning target under the condition that the mouse is not trained or is simply trained, the visual training task of the mouse can be quickly adapted, the training efficiency is improved, and the workload of workers is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of animal experimental technology, and in particular relates to a visual water maze task training device and training method for rodents. Background Technology

[0002] The Morris Water Maze (MWM), a classic behavioral experimental technique, holds significant value in neuroscience research. It is widely used to assess the spatial learning and memory abilities of rodents (especially mice and rats), playing an irreplaceable role in detecting hippocampal function. In recent years, with the rapid advancements in treatment technologies for human visual diseases and research into visual prostheses, mice, as representatives of mammals, have gradually become ideal experimental models due to their high degree of physiological similarity to humans.

[0003] However, existing training devices developed for the visual cognitive abilities of rodents still have significant limitations. They are difficult to effectively guide rodents to establish neural connections between stimulus targets and final spatial positioning targets, which often requires repeated reinforcement training during the experiment. This not only significantly prolongs the experimental cycle but also greatly increases the workload of trainers.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, there is an urgent need to develop a training device and method capable of accurately assessing the visual cognitive abilities of rodents and promoting the establishment of target associations, thereby improving experimental efficiency. Based on this, this invention proposes a training device and method for a rodent visual water maze task. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a visual water maze training device and method for rodents to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0007] A visual water maze training device for rodents includes: an outer box containing water, and the inner cavity of the outer box is sequentially divided into an initial area, an observation and decision area, a selection and judgment area, and a termination area along the length of the outer box.

[0008] The initial area is equipped with a limiting mechanism to restrict the direction of movement of rodents;

[0009] A monitoring component is installed above the observation and decision-making area;

[0010] A detection facility is set up within the selection and judgment area;

[0011] A vertical partition is provided in the termination area. The partition is arranged along the length of the outer casing. The partition divides the termination area into two symmetrically arranged termination blocks. A display stimulation mechanism and a safety mechanism are provided in each termination block. The display stimulation mechanism faces the initial area.

[0012] The monitoring component, the detection mechanism, the display stimulation mechanism, and the safety mechanism are all electrically connected to the control system.

[0013] In the rodent visual water maze task training device of the present invention, the restriction mechanism includes two restriction boxes, which are fixed to the initial area of ​​the outer box. The two restriction boxes are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the outer box, and a one-way passage for rodents is left between the two restriction boxes.

[0014] In the mouse visual water maze task training device of the present invention, the monitoring component includes a horizontal bar fixed above the outer box, a camera fixed on the horizontal bar, the camera being located above the observation and decision area, and the camera's shooting end facing the observation and decision area.

[0015] In the mouse visual water maze task training device of the present invention, the detection mechanism includes two infrared sensors, both of which are located in the selection and judgment area. The two infrared sensors are respectively fixed to two opposite inner sidewalls of the outer box and are symmetrically arranged. The partition extends into the selection and judgment area and is located in the middle of the two infrared sensors.

[0016] In the mouse visual water maze task training device of the present invention, the display stimulation mechanism includes a display, the display is disposed in the termination block, the display end of the display faces the initial area, and the display is fixed in the outer box and away from the selection judgment area.

[0017] In the rodent visual water maze task training device of the present invention, the safety mechanism includes a safety island disposed in the termination block, the bottom surface of the safety island is fixedly connected to the movable end of a servo motor, and the servo motor is fixedly connected to the outer casing.

[0018] In the mouse visual water maze training device of the present invention, the control system includes a lower-level machine, which is electrically connected to the infrared sensor and the servo motor. The lower-level machine is electrically connected to a higher-level machine, which is electrically connected to the display and the camera.

[0019] A method for training rodents in a visual water maze task, based on the aforementioned rodent visual water maze task training device, comprises the following steps:

[0020] Initially, the rodents cannot reach the safety mechanism. The control system controls the two display stimulation mechanisms to display different stimulation images. The rodents are placed in the initial area. In the observation and decision area, the rodents observe the different stimulation images in the two termination blocks and choose to swim into one of the termination blocks. The monitoring component records the rodents' movements. The detection mechanism detects the termination block the rodents enter. The control system judges the rodents' choices based on the stimulation images and the detection results of the detection mechanism. If the rodents make the correct choice, the control system activates the safety mechanism, which provides a place for the rodents to stay. If the rodents make the wrong choice, the control system does not activate, and the staff puts the rodents back into the initial area, repeating the process a set number of times.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects:

[0022] When training rodents, initially, the rodents cannot reach the safety mechanism. The control system controls two stimulus display mechanisms to show different stimulus images. The rodent is placed in the initial area, and in the observation and decision area, the rodent observes the different stimulus images in the two termination blocks and chooses to swim to one of the termination blocks. The monitoring component records the rodent's movement. The detection mechanism detects the termination block that the rodent enters. The control system judges the rodent's choice based on the stimulus image and the detection results of the detection mechanism. If the rodent makes a correct choice, the control system activates the safety mechanism, which provides a place for the rodent to stay. If the rodent makes an incorrect choice, the control system does not take any action.

[0023] The device of this invention utilizes the instinct of rodents to seek safe platforms in water, enabling rodents to quickly establish neural connections between stimulus targets and final spatial positioning targets even without training or with only simple training. This allows rodents to quickly adapt to visual training tasks, reducing training time, improving training efficiency, and alleviating the workload of staff. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a top view of the device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA section view in the middle;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the internal region division of the device in this invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the training process of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 Select the correct trajectory map for the rodents;

[0030] Figure 6 Error selection of trajectory map for rodents;

[0031] The components include: 1. Outer enclosure; 2. Crossbar; 3. Infrared sensor; 4. Camera; 5. Display; 6. Safety island; 7. Partition; 8. Servo motor; 9. Limiting box; and 10. Lower computer. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The present invention discloses a visual water maze task training device for rodents, comprising: an outer box 1, the outer box 1 being filled with water, and the inner cavity of the outer box 1 being sequentially divided into an initial area, an observation and decision area, a selection and judgment area, and a termination area along the length of the outer box 1.

[0035] The initial area is equipped with a restraining mechanism to limit the direction of rodent movement;

[0036] A monitoring component is installed above the observation and decision-making area;

[0037] Select an area where testing institutions are located;

[0038] A vertical partition 7 is provided in the termination area. The partition 7 is set along the length of the outer box 1. The partition 7 divides the termination area into two symmetrically arranged termination blocks. A display stimulation mechanism and a safety mechanism are provided in the termination blocks. The display stimulation mechanism faces the initial area.

[0039] The monitoring components, detection mechanism, display stimulation mechanism, and safety mechanism are all electrically connected to the control system.

[0040] In one alternative embodiment, the restraint mechanism includes two restraint boxes 9, which are fixedly attached to the initial area of ​​the outer box 1. The two restraint boxes 9 are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the outer box 1, and a passage for rodents to pass through is left between the two restraint boxes 9.

[0041] In one alternative embodiment, the monitoring component includes a crossbar 2 fixed above the outer housing 1, with a camera 4 fixed to the crossbar 2. The camera 4 is located above the observation and selection area, and the shooting end of the camera 4 faces the observation and selection area.

[0042] Camera 4 is used to capture the movement of the rodents and transmit the information to the control system for subsequent analysis of the rodents' movement trajectories.

[0043] In one alternative embodiment, the detection mechanism includes two infrared sensors 3, both of which are located within the selection and judgment area. The two infrared sensors 3 are respectively fixed to two opposite inner sidewalls of the outer casing 1. The two infrared sensors 3 are symmetrically arranged, and the partition 7 extends into the selection and judgment area and is located in the middle of the two infrared sensors 3.

[0044] The infrared sensor 3 is configured to monitor which termination zone a rodent enters and transmit the information to the control system.

[0045] In one alternative embodiment, the stimulation display mechanism includes a display 5, which is disposed within the termination block, with its display end facing the initial area. The display 5 is fixed within the outer housing 1 and is located away from the selection judgment area.

[0046] The control system controls two monitors 5 to display different stimulus images.

[0047] In one alternative, the safety mechanism includes a safety island 6 located within the termination block, with the movable end of a servo motor 8 fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the safety island 6, and the servo motor 8 fixedly attached inside the outer casing 1.

[0048] Safety Island 6 is a square chevron board suitable for the size of mice, used to provide a safe platform for rodents.

[0049] In one alternative embodiment, the control system includes a lower-level machine 10, which is electrically connected to an infrared sensor 3 and a servo motor 8. The lower-level machine 10 is electrically connected to a higher-level machine, which is electrically connected to a display 5 and a camera 4.

[0050] Specifically, the host computer is a PC, the code is written in Python, and the PC is equipped with display control software to control the display of different stimulus images on the monitor 5. The video recording software is used to control the camera 4 to record experimental videos for subsequent motion trajectory analysis. The training recording software can record information such as stimulus display patterns, mouse selection, selection correctness, and selection accuracy.

[0051] The lower-level machine 10 is a single-chip microcomputer (Arduino UNO board), and the control code is written using Arduino.

[0052] A method for training rodents in a visual water maze task, based on a rodent visual water maze task training device, comprises the following steps:

[0053] Initially, the rodents cannot reach the safety mechanism. The control system controls two stimulation display mechanisms to show different stimulation images. The rodents are placed in the initial area and observe the different stimulation images in the two termination blocks within the observation and decision area. They then choose to swim into one of the termination blocks. The monitoring component records the rodents' movements. The detection mechanism detects the termination block the rodent enters. The control system judges the rodent's choice based on the stimulation image and the detection results. If the rodent makes a correct choice, the control system activates the safety mechanism, which provides a place for the rodent to stay. If the rodent makes an incorrect choice, the control system does not activate, and the staff puts the rodent back into the initial area, repeating the process a set number of times.

[0054] Detailed experimental procedure:

[0055] Initially, the safety island 6 is set vertically, preventing mice from reaching it. The staff places the mice in the gap between the two restraint boxes 9, with their heads facing the observation and decision area. Upon release, the mice swim into the observation and decision area, observing different stimulus images. They then choose to swim towards one of the termination blocks. This swimming process is captured by camera 4 and transmitted to a host computer for subsequent analysis of the mouse's movement trajectory. Infrared sensor 3 detects the termination block chosen by the mouse and... Information is transmitted to the lower-level machine 10. The lower-level machine 10 makes a judgment based on the stimulus image sent by the upper-level machine and the termination block selected by the mouse. When the mouse is judged to have made a correct selection, the lower-level machine 10 controls the servo motor 8 to rotate, and the safety island 6 is in a horizontal state and above the water surface, providing a place for the mouse to climb and stay. When the mouse is judged to have made an incorrect selection, the lower-level machine 10 does not move. The staff moves the mouse to the initial area and repeats the experiment. The experiment is repeated a set number of times. During the experiment, the display information of the stimulus image, the selection information of the mouse, the information of whether the selection is correct or incorrect, and the information of the mouse's selection accuracy are recorded in real time.

[0056] The training device combines the advantages of rodent water mazes and bird vision training devices, enabling semi-automatic training of rodent vision. This reduces the time required to train rodents to learn maze rules and shortens the training cycle. It can also automatically train and record according to a pre-set stimulus paradigm, reducing labor costs.

[0057] Experimental Data Recording Table

[0058] image choose judge accuracy 1 1 1 100% 1 1 1 100% 0 1 0 66.70% 1 0 0 50% 0 0 1 60% 0 1 0 50% 1 0 0 42.90% 0 0 1 50% 1 1 1 55.60% 1 1 1 60% 0 0 1 63.60% 0 0 1 66.70% 1 0 0 61.50% 0 1 0 57.10% 1 1 1 60% 0 0 1 62.50%

[0059] Reference Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The figures show the trajectories of the mice when they made the correct choice and when they made the wrong choice during the two trials, respectively.

[0060] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0061] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rat visual water maze task training device, characterized in that, include: The outer box (1) is filled with water. Along the length of the outer box (1), the inner cavity of the outer box (1) is divided into an initial area, an observation and decision area, a selection and judgment area, and a termination area. The initial area is equipped with a limiting mechanism to restrict the direction of movement of rodents; A monitoring component is installed above the observation and decision-making area; A detection facility is set up within the selection and judgment area; A vertical partition (7) is provided in the termination area. The partition (7) is arranged along the length direction of the outer box (1). The partition (7) divides the termination area into two symmetrically arranged termination blocks. A display stimulation mechanism and a safety mechanism are provided in the termination blocks. The display stimulation mechanism faces the initial area. The monitoring component, the detection mechanism, the display stimulation mechanism, and the safety mechanism are all electrically connected to the control system.

2. The mouse visual water maze task training device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The restriction mechanism includes two restriction boxes (9), which are fixed to the initial area of ​​the outer box (1). The two restriction boxes (9) are symmetrically arranged along the axis of the outer box (1), and a passage for rodents to pass through is left between the two restriction boxes (9).

3. The mouse visual water maze task training device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The monitoring component includes a crossbar (2) fixed above the outer casing (1), and a camera (4) is fixed on the crossbar (2). The camera (4) is located above the observation and selection area, and the shooting end of the camera (4) faces the observation and selection area.

4. The mouse visual water maze task training device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The detection mechanism includes two infrared sensors (3), both of which are located within the selection and judgment area. The two infrared sensors (3) are respectively fixed to two opposite inner sidewalls of the outer casing (1). The two infrared sensors (3) are symmetrically arranged. The partition (7) extends into the selection and judgment area and is located in the middle of the two infrared sensors (3).

5. The mouse visual water maze task training device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The display stimulation mechanism includes a display (5), which is disposed within the termination block. The display end of the display (5) faces the initial area. The display (5) is fixed inside the outer casing (1) and away from the selection judgment area.

6. The mouse visual water maze task training device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The safety mechanism includes a safety island (6) located within the termination block. The bottom surface of the safety island (6) is fixedly connected to the movable end of a servo motor (8), which is fixedly connected inside the outer casing (1).

7. The mouse visual water maze task training device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The control system includes a lower-level machine (10), which is electrically connected to the infrared sensor (3) and the servo motor (8). The lower-level machine (10) is electrically connected to a higher-level machine, which is electrically connected to the display (5) and the camera (4).

8. A method for training rodents in a visual water maze task, based on the rodent visual water maze task training device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The steps are as follows: Initially, the rodents cannot reach the safety mechanism. The control system controls the two display stimulation mechanisms to display different stimulation images. The rodents are placed in the initial area. In the observation and decision area, the rodents observe the different stimulation images in the two termination blocks and choose to swim into one of the termination blocks. The monitoring component records the rodents' movements. The detection mechanism detects the termination block the rodents enter. The control system judges the rodents' choices based on the stimulation images and the detection results of the detection mechanism. If the rodents make the correct choice, the control system activates the safety mechanism, which provides a place for the rodents to stay. If the rodents make the wrong choice, the control system does not activate, and the staff puts the rodents back into the initial area, repeating the process a set number of times.

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