Arduino-based rat learning and memory operation box

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of animal experimental apparatus technology, specifically providing a manipulative box for evaluating the learning and memory abilities of rats and mice. The rat and mouse learning and memory manipulative box consists of a black opaque box, a partition, and a feeder. The box has a T-shaped structure, with the partition inside dividing it into two independent spaces: a Nose-Poke task space and a Go / No-Go task space. The feeder is located on the outside of the box and connected to the inside via a PVC pipe. Rats and mice can complete various training exercises targeting reference and working memory in different spaces, and the training results can be automatically recorded. The training function and experimental data recording of this manipulative box are implemented by an Arduino microcontroller controlling various electronic components, including an infrared beam-cutoff sensor, a passive buzzer, a stepper motor, an infrared detector, a data recording module, and an environmental detection module. This invention enables automatic detection of rats and mice during learning and memory training, as well as accurate assessment of their memory abilities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal experimental device technology, specifically providing an Arduino-based learning and memory control box for mice and rats. Background Technology

[0002] The human cerebral cortex is used to store long-term memories; however, its storage capacity is limited. To better utilize this limited space, the hippocampus receives input from various parts of the cerebral cortex (from secondary or tertiary sensory areas that have already processed information), assesses the value of the information, and then transmits its output to different parts of the brain. Therefore, damage to the hippocampus can cause memory loss and problems with memory storage. Furthermore, the hippocampus's ability to consolidate short-term (working) memory and convert it into long-term (reference) memory is also reduced. The hippocampus is also closely associated with other diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, transient global amnesia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Cognitive impairment and other forms of dementia have been shown to affect and damage the function of the hippocampus. In addition, rodent experiments conducted by Russell W. Chan, Alex T.L. Leong, and others have shown that low-frequency activity in the hippocampus can drive whole-brain functional connectivity in the cerebral cortex and enhance sensory responses; that is, low-frequency activity in the hippocampus can drive functional integration between different areas of the cerebral cortex and enhance visual, auditory, and tactile responses. Therefore, combining visual and auditory detection of short-term and long-term memory in mice and rats provides a new method for evaluating their learning and memory abilities.

[0003] Mouse and rat are widely used as model organisms in research on higher brain functions and neuroscience. Currently, animal behavioral assessment is widely applied in many fields of neuroscience, particularly playing a crucial role in evaluating animal models of cognitive impairment-related diseases and studying physiological mechanisms. Cognitive impairment typically manifests as impaired learning and memory abilities; therefore, most behavioral experiments are used to assess learning and memory capabilities, including the evaluation of working memory and reference memory. Working memory refers to short-term memory and information processing; reference memory refers to long-term memory or habits, lasting longer and being more resistant to interference than working memory. Maze experiments are a classic example of animal behavioral testing and are among the most commonly used experiments in studying the learning and memory abilities of mice and rats. Common examples include the Morris water maze, Y-maze, T-maze, and eight-armed maze. However, current maze training methods rely heavily on manual operation by the experimenter during the experimental process, data collection, and processing. The recorded data is significantly influenced by the experimenter's subjective factors, affecting its accuracy.

[0004] Commercial control boxes can automate animal behavior experiments, reducing the workload of experimenters. However, these boxes are very expensive, making large-scale adoption in laboratories difficult. The advent of the Arduino microcontroller has solved this problem. Arduino microcontrollers are ideal laboratory tools because they can receive and transmit signals on a millisecond timescale without requiring a computer interface. Arduino programs are written using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE), and users can upload programs from a computer to the Arduino via Universal Serial Bus (USB). Various sensors and modular circuit boards can be plugged into the Arduino to expand its functionality, allowing users to design hardware according to their needs and flexibly implement different functions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an Arduino-based learning and memory control box for mice and rats to automate the detection of learning and memory training processes and to accurately assess the learning and memory abilities of mice and rats.

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

[0007] A mouse and rat learning and memory control box comprises a black opaque box, partitions, and a feeder. The box is divided into a Nose-Poke task space and a Go / No-Go task space. The mouse and rat learning and memory control box includes: an Arduino microcontroller, a passive buzzer, LEDs of different colors, an infrared detector, a stepper motor, an infrared beam-cutoff sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, an audio player, a motor shield, and a data recording module.

[0008] A passive buzzer serves as the No-Go signal in the Go / No-Go task, an LED serves as the Go signal in the Go / No-Go task and an indicator light in the Nose-Poke task, an infrared detector detects whether mice or rats pass by, a stepper motor controls the dropping of food rewards, an infrared beam-cutting sensor detects whether mice or rats touch designated holes, temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors are used to detect environmental conditions, a motor shield controls the stepper motor, and a data recording module records the status changes of each component during training to an SD card.

[0009] The Arduino microcontroller is connected to the computer and controls the aforementioned functional components.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution for the learning and memory operation box, the box body has a top opening.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution for learning and memory operation boxes, the Nose-Poke task space and the Go / No-Go task space are separated by a black partition.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution for the learning and memory operation box, the box is equipped with a sliding track, and the black partition can be flexibly inserted and removed.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution for the learning and memory operation box, the feeder device includes: an upper disc, a lower disc, a PVC pipe, and a stepper motor;

[0014] The upper disc has eight small holes and a protruding cylinder, with the small holes evenly surrounding the cylinder.

[0015] The lower disk has a small hole and a large hole. The diameter of the small hole on the lower disk is the same as that of the small hole on the upper disk and they can overlap. The cylinder of the large disk can be inserted into the large hole on the lower disk.

[0016] The PVC pipe is fixed below the small hole in the lower disc and inserted into the box.

[0017] The stepper motor controls the upper disc to rotate, while the lower disc remains stationary.

[0018] As a preferred technology for learning and memory manipulation boxes, the Nose-Poke task space can perform both short-term and long-term training modes.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution for learning and memory operation boxes, the Go / No-Go task space can execute long-term training modes.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution for learning and memory operation boxes, the Nose-Poke short-term training device includes: three infrared beam-cutting sensors, three corresponding red LED lights, and a feeder;

[0021] Three red LEDs serve as visual signal lights to transmit visual signals; three infrared beam-cutting sensors receive signals from the nose holes of rats and mice, transmit the signals to the Arduino microcontroller, and record them through the data logging module; the feeder serves as a task reward device to deliver feed pellets.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution for learning and memory operation boxes, the Go / No-Go long-term training device includes: a passive buzzer, a green LED light, and an infrared detector;

[0023] As a preferred technical solution for the learning and memory operation box, temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors are used to detect environmental conditions and determine whether the environmental conditions are consistent in each experiment.

[0024] A passive buzzer serves as the No-Go signal; a green LED serves as the Go signal; an infrared detector detects whether mice or rats have passed by and sends the detection results to the Arduino microcontroller, which records them through the data logging module.

[0025] As a preferred technical solution for the learning and memory operation box, all functional components of the operation box perform Nose-Poke short-term and long-term training as well as Go / No-Go long-term training, and the functions are controlled by the Arduino microcontroller. After receiving the signal, the Arduino microcontroller uses the data recording module to store the signal to a CSV file.

[0026] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0027] 1. The learning and memory manipulation box provided by this invention can be used in different task spaces according to the needs of the task during experiments, and is suitable for rats and mice of different sexes. This invention enables automated detection during the learning and memory training process in rats and mice, as well as accurate assessment of their learning and memory abilities.

[0028] 2. In addition, the present invention also provides an environmental detection function to determine whether the environmental conditions are consistent in each experiment, thereby eliminating interference caused by environmental changes.

[0029] 3. This invention is applicable to the detection of learning and memory abilities in rats and mice of various cognitive impairments and other forms of dementia. It can automatically and objectively record the learning and memory performance of the tested animals and achieve systematic analysis and evaluation. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings provided below are only some embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the Arduino-based learning and memory operation box for mice and rats provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the feeder provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with the lower disc on the left and the upper disc on the right.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mouse and rat learning and memory operation box provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the operation method of the mouse and rat learning and memory operation box provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1 Go / No-Go task area; 2 Nose-Poke task area; 11 Infrared detection sensor; 12 Go signal (green LED); 13 No-Go signal (passive buzzer); 3 Opaque partition; 21 LED; 22 Infrared beam break sensor; 23 Feeder inlet; 24 Audio player; 4 Feeder; 41 Large hole in lower disc; 42 Small hole in lower disc; 43 Small hole in upper disc, which can overlap with the small hole in lower disc; 44 Square hole in upper disc, into which a stepper motor can be inserted; 45 Cylinder in upper disc, into which the large hole in lower disc can be inserted; 46 Motor shield; 47 Upper disc; 48 Lower disc; 5 Environmental detection sensors (temperature sensor, humidity sensor, air pressure sensor); 6 Data logging module; 7 Arduino microcontroller. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present invention and are not limiting. Furthermore, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them; rats were selected as the experimental subject in this embodiment.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a mouse and rat learning and memory operation box based on Arduino, including a box body and an opaque partition 3. The mouse and rat learning and memory operation box is divided into a Go / No-Go task space 1 and a Nose-Poke task space 2. The two task areas are separated by a flexible black partition 3. The specific components include: an Arduino microcontroller 7, a passive buzzer 13, LEDs of different colors, an infrared detector 11, a stepper motor 44, an infrared beam cutoff sensor 22, an environmental detection module 5 (temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and air pressure sensor), an audio player 24, a motor shielding cover 46, and a data recording module 6.

[0038] When using the rat and mouse learning and memory manipulation box for experiments, the Go / No-Go task space 1 was used for long-term Go / No-Go training. The rat was placed in from one side, and an indication signal was emitted from the other side. The green LED light served as the Go signal 12, and the passive buzzer served as the No-Go signal 13. An infrared detection sensor 11 was installed on the side of the Go / No-Go task space 1 to detect whether the rat passed through the area. When the Go signal 12 was emitted, the infrared detection sensor 11 detected the rat passing through, indicating that the training was successful. When the No-Go signal 13 was emitted, the infrared detection sensor 11 detected the rat passing through, indicating that the training failed.

[0039] When using the rat and mouse learning and memory manipulation box for experiments, the Nose-Poke task space 2 was used for short-term and long-term Nose-Poke training. Rats were placed in the front of the partition 3, i.e., the side facing the Nose-Poke task space 2, utilizing the rats' exploratory nature for Nose-Poke training. During short-term training, three infrared beam-cutting sensors 22 were installed on the other side of the Nose-Poke task space 2. Each day, one hole was randomly designated as the hole from which a food reward could be obtained, with the corresponding LED light 21 above it constantly lit, while the other two LED lights 21 were off. When the rat poked the designated hole with its nose, the feeder 4 automatically dispensed a feed pellet as a food reward; when the rat poked the other holes with its nose, no reward was obtained. During long-term training, two infrared beam-cutting sensors 22 are installed on the other side of the Nose-Poke task space 2. One hole is designated as the hole that can receive a food reward and remains unchanged, while the other hole is the hole that cannot receive a food reward, and the other hole is closed and not used. When the rat pokes the designated hole with its nose, the corresponding yellow LED light 21 above the hole lights up, and at the same time, the audio player 24 plays a piece of music as a signal for reward distribution, and the feeder 4 automatically dispenses a feed pellet as a food reward. When the rat pokes the other hole with its nose, the corresponding red LED light 21 above the hole lights up, and no food reward is distributed.

[0040] In this embodiment, the box does not have a top to facilitate the placement and removal of the rat; the box is 0.5cm thick and 30.5cm high to ensure that the rat will not jump out of the operating box.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a feeder 4, which provides a food reward when the rat is successfully trained. The feeder 4 includes: an upper disc 47, a lower disc 48, a PVC pipe, and a stepper motor 44; the upper disc 47 is provided with eight small holes 43 and a protruding cylinder 45, with the small holes 43 evenly surrounding the cylinder 45.

[0042] In this embodiment, the lower disc 48 has a small hole 42 and a large hole 41. The diameter of the small hole 42 of the lower disc 48 is the same as that of the small hole 43 of the upper disc 47 and they can overlap. The cylinder 45 of the upper disc 47 can be inserted into the large hole 41 of the lower disc 48. A PVC pipe is fixed below the small hole 42 of the lower disc 48 and inserted into the feeder inlet 23. A stepper motor 44 is inserted into the square hole of the cylinder 45 of the upper disc 47 to control the rotation of the upper disc 47 while the lower disc 48 remains stationary. When the rat is successfully trained, the stepper motor 44 rotates at a certain angle so that the small hole 43 of the upper disc overlaps with the small hole 42 of the lower disc, and the feed pellets fall from the small hole 43 of the upper disc through the PVC pipe into the box 23.

[0043] like Figure 3As shown in the diagram, this embodiment of the invention also provides a functional structure diagram of a mouse and rat learning and memory control box. An Arduino microcontroller 7 controls each component to perform functions, including training in different modes, environmental detection, food delivery, and recording the signal data returned by each component. The data recording module 6 records the signal data received by the Arduino microcontroller 7 from each component and stores the results in a CSV file for further statistical analysis.

[0044] In this embodiment, the environmental detection sensor 5 includes temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors, which are used to detect the environmental state and determine whether the environmental conditions are consistent each time the mouse and rat learning and memory operation box is used for the experiment.

[0045] In this embodiment, the stepper motor 44 controlling the feeder 4 is controlled and driven by the motor shield 46. When the rat successfully completes the designated task during training, the stepper motor 44 drives the upper disc 47 to rotate by a designated angle, and the food reward (a feed pellet) placed in the small hole 43 of the upper disc 47 falls into the box 23 through the PVC pipe.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown in the figure, this embodiment of the invention also provides an operation method flow for the mouse and rat learning and memory operation box, including the following steps:

[0047] Every day at a fixed time, the same batch of rats / mice are placed into a designated task space and the corresponding task program is run simultaneously.

[0048] The functional elements used in different training modes detect the behavior of rats / mice and transmit the detection signals to the Arduino7.

[0049] The Arduino7 transmits the received functional component signals to the data logging module 6 and stores them as a CSV file on the SD card;

[0050] Finally, organize the files on the SD card for subsequent data statistical analysis.

[0051] The rat and mouse learning and memory training box and operating method provided in this invention utilize the exploratory behavior of rats and their responses to light and sound as training indicators, and are applicable to both male and female rats and mice. The box also includes an environmental detection module to monitor temperature, air pressure, humidity, etc., during each experiment to ensure consistent environmental conditions and reduce the impact of environmental changes on the rats and mice. Furthermore, the box enables automated learning and memory training, minimizing human interference from the experimenter, reducing the stress experienced by the rats and mice, lowering their stress response to the environment, and improving the objectivity of the learning and memory training.

[0052] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, based on the core idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, it is not necessary to exhaustively describe all implementation methods here. Any modifications, improvements, and substitutions made within the method and idea of ​​the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A learning and memory control box for mice and rats based on Arduino, characterized in that, The device comprises a black opaque box, a partition, and a feeder. The box has a T-shaped structure, with the partition inside dividing it into two independent spaces: a Nose-Poke task space and a Go / No-Go task space. The feeder is located on the outside of the box and connected to the inside via a PVC pipe. The box walls have holes of various sizes for housing various functional components, including: an Arduino microcontroller, a passive buzzer, LEDs of different colors, an infrared detector, a stepper motor, an infrared beam-break sensor, an audio player, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a motor shield, and a data recording module. The passive buzzer serves as the No-Go signal in the Go / No-Go task, the LED serves as the Go signal in the Go / No-Go task and the indicator light in the Nose-Poke task, the infrared detector is used to detect whether mice or rats pass by, the stepper motor is used to control the food reward dropping, the infrared beam cutoff sensor is used to detect whether mice or rats touch a designated hole, the temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors are used to detect the environmental conditions, the motor shield is used to control the stepper motor, and the data recording module is used to record the state changes of each component during training to an SD card. The Arduino microcontroller is connected to the computer and used to control the aforementioned functional components; The feeder device includes: an upper disc, a lower disc, a PVC pipe, and a stepper motor; The upper disk is provided with eight small holes and a protruding cylinder, with the small holes evenly surrounding the cylinder. The lower disk has a small hole and a large hole. The diameter of the small hole on the lower disk is the same as that of the small hole on the upper disk and they can overlap. The cylinder of the upper disk can be inserted into the large hole of the lower disk. The PVC pipe is fixed below the small hole in the lower disc and inserted into the box. The stepper motor controls the upper disk to rotate, while the lower disk remains stationary; Nose-Poke task space executes both short-term and long-term training modes; The Nose-Poke short-term training device includes: three infrared beam-cutting sensors, three corresponding red LEDs, and a feeder; the three red LEDs serve as visual signal lights to transmit visual signals; the three infrared beam-cutting sensors receive signals from the nose holes of rats and mice, transmit the signals to an Arduino microcontroller, and record them through a data logging module; the feeder serves as a task reward device for delivering feed pellets. The Nose-Poke long-term training device includes: two infrared beam-cutting sensors, corresponding red and yellow LEDs, a feeder, and an audio player; the red LEDs serve as visual signals for incorrect responses; the yellow LEDs serve as visual signals for correct responses; the infrared beam-cutting sensors receive signals from the nose holes of rats and mice, transmit the signals to an Arduino microcontroller, and record them through a data logging module; the audio player serves as the sound signal for correct responses; and the feeder serves as a task reward device for delivering feed pellets.

2. The mouse and rat learning and memory operation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Nose-Poke task space and the Go / No-Go task space are separated by a black partition; the box is equipped with a sliding track, and the black partition can be flexibly inserted and removed.

3. The mouse and rat learning and memory operation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, Go / No-Go task space execution long-term training mode; The Go / No-Go long-term training device includes: a passive buzzer, a green LED light, and an infrared detector. The passive buzzer serves as the No-Go signal, and the green LED light serves as the Go signal. The infrared detector detects whether large or small mice have passed by and sends the detection results to the Arduino microcontroller, which records them through the data logging module.

4. The rat and mouse learning and memory operation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors are used to detect environmental conditions and determine whether the environmental conditions are consistent in each experiment.

5. The mouse and rat learning and memory operation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Nose-Poke task space is used for short-term and long-term Nose-Poke training; During short-term training, three infrared beam-cutting sensors are set up on the other side of the Nose-Poke task space. Each day, one hole is randomly designated as the hole from which a food reward can be obtained, and the corresponding LED light above it is always on, while the other two LED lights are off. When the rat pokes the designated hole with its nose, the feeder automatically dispenses a feed pellet as a food reward. However, when the rat pokes the other holes with its nose, it does not receive a reward. During long-term training, two infrared beam-cutting sensors are installed on the other side of the Nose-Poke task space. One hole is designated as the hole from which a food reward can be obtained, while the other hole is designated as the hole from which no food reward can be obtained. The other hole is closed and not used. When the rat pokes the designated hole with its nose, the corresponding yellow LED light above the hole lights up, and an audio player plays a piece of music as a reward signal. The feeder automatically dispenses a feed pellet as a food reward. When the rat pokes the other hole with its nose, the corresponding red LED light above the hole lights up, and no food reward is given.

6. The rat and mouse learning and memory operation box according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, During long-term Go / No-Go training in the Go / No-Go task space, a rat is placed in from one side while an indicator signal is emitted from the other side. A green LED light serves as the Go signal, and a passive buzzer serves as the No-Go signal. An infrared sensor is located on the side of the Go / No-Go task space to detect whether a rat has passed through the area. When a Go signal is emitted and the infrared sensor detects a rat passing through, the training is considered successful; when a No-Go signal is emitted and the infrared sensor detects a rat passing through, the training is considered unsuccessful.

7. The mouse and rat learning and memory control box according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, All functional components in the control box perform Nose-Poke short-term and long-term training as well as Go / No-Go long-term training, and are controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. After receiving a signal, the Arduino microcontroller uses a data logging module to store the signal in a CSV file.

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