Amuza - Self Head-Restraining System

• Mice learn voluntary head restriction in as little as two weeks
• The automated learning process removes experimenter bias and reduces experimenter labor
• Train up to 4 mice per day with a single platform

The ability to record neural activity during mouse behavior provides an opportunity to understand brain function at a new level of detail. Head-restrained behavioral assays in mice are perfect for this purpose because they allow real-time monitoring of neural circuits during complex operant behavior. However, traditionally, training mice to feel comfortable under head-restriction procedures has proven to be extremely laborious and time-consuming. Before head-restrained training procedures in mice, experimenters must habituate the mouse to the head-restriction process and can take up to several weeks without this system. Add training time for your head-restrained behavioral assays, and now you are looking at several months to train a single mouse to perform head-restrained operant behavior. Using the Self Head-Restraining Platform, you can cut down training time by 90%.

The self-head-restraining platform automates the entire mouse head-restriction process through operant training principles. Mice are guided to walk through a narrowing corridor and into a head-latching stage that lowers by gravity. Once latched, mice can receive timed water rewards for the rest of the session. By attaching to the home cage, mice have extended access to the platform to learn voluntary head-restriction under lower stress conditions. This also reduces experimenter time and labor, allowing you to begin head-restrained training procedures much sooner.

Platform Dimensions: 335 (W) x 210 (D) x 118 (H) mm
Corridor Dimensions: 3o (W) x 30 (H)