Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI
Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI

Y-Maze

Species

Mouse

Fields of application

Spontaneous alternation rates (SAP) in the Y-Maze can be used as a simple and rapid procedure to assess spatial learning in rodents. Alternations are defined as successive entries into the three arms of a triangular Y-shaped maze in overlapping triplet sets.

The model can be used for the following fields of application:

  • Central nervous system damage
  • Disease effects on spatial learning
  • Drug administration
  • Therapeutic efficacy
  • Proof of concept

Endpoints / outcome parameter

  • Spontaneous alteration behaviour

Readout parameter

  • Time spend it arms [sec]
  • Distance [cm]
  • Arm entries [counts]
  • SAP [%]

Quality management and validation

  • Controls
  • Randomisation
  • Blinded data collection and analysis
  • Biometric expertise
  • Internal quality management
Set-up of Y-maze. 3 entry arms will be explored by test animal within the time frame of 10 min. Behavior is monitored by a video tracking system. Spontaneous alteration performance is calculated depending on arm entries with in the test period.
© Fraunhofer IZI
Set-up of Y-maze. 3 entry arms will be explored by test animal within the time frame of 10 min. Behavior is monitored by a video tracking system. Spontaneous alteration performance is calculated depending on arm entries with in the test period.