Simulating animal paradigms in humans using dry mazes

Real Space (non-virtual) Navigation Task

As well as virtual reality, HVS Image allows the option to simulate Morris Water Maze (and other tests) in humans using a dry analog and an inflatable full size arena which simulates the pool, maze or arena.

For example, in the MWM analog the subject moves around a real, high-walled circular space that looks the same inside in all directions and is erected in a large area such as in a sports hall, with appropriately placed visual cues) and is tracked using an overhead camera, just like a rodent in a water maze.
In normal trials, the system indicates by sound when the invisible virtual platform is reached. In probe trials, the trial continues as if the platform is not present.
The same measures and analyses are available as in the Virtual Reality Morris Water Maze System, and are equivalent to those used in the HVS Image tracking system used for rodent Morris Water Maze.
For subjects with poor mobility or stability the subject uses a walking frame for support, equivalent to the hand rail support in our virtual reality 2D treadmill version.
Along with the tracking system we provide a hot-welded inflatable arena:
  • Hot welded rather than stitched, so air blowers are not required during use. Avoids the issue of air blower sound giving an indication of direction.
  • Uniform interior.
  • 0.60 mm PVC.
  • Air blower included.
  • For MWM analog, approx. 8 m diameter (approx. x6 size of Rat MWM) and approx. 3 m tall. (approx. x6 size of Rat MWM), with four entry/exit points that are not seen from the inside when closed.

 Tracking system includes:
  • HVS Image Tracking and Analysis Software for Real Space (non-virtual) Navigation Task.
  • Laptop or All-In-One PC, configured for optimum tracking performance and with above software installed.
  • High resolution USB camera for overhead tracking, with suitably wide angle to view the inside of the navigation area from the ceiling.
  • Long boosted USB extension cable(s) for camera.
  • Ceiling mount for camera.
  • Long range wireless remote for software.
  • Tracking on the supplied PC.
  • HVS Image data analysis on the supplied PC and on your own PCs (or Mac running Bootcamp).
  • Free technical support for three years from purchase date.
  • Shipping is included.

Available analyses, from which you can choose as many or as few as you like to include in your results files, include:

  • Latency
  • Path length
  • Average speed
  • Percentage of time not moving, or moving below a certain speed
  • Active speed (average speed corrected for the above)
  • Percentage of time in each quadrant
  • Percentage of path in each quadrant
  • Percentage of time in each zone
  • Heading (angle relative to ideal path)
  • Range
  • Percentage of time in thigmotaxis
  • Percentage of path in thigmotaxis
  • Number of passes through counters
  • Percentage of time in counters
  • Latencies to counters
  • Close encounter time and path
  • Corridor Test (derived from Wishaw Corridor Test but handles any start point to any platform position and normalises the result to allow for different corridor areas)
  • Cone Test
  • Path Ratio
  • Pool Circling
  • Kelly Test
  • Gallagher Measures (e.g. Gallagher Proximity Measure, Gallagher Cumulative Measure)
  • Quad Entries
  • Path Efficiency Ratio (actual path length / direct path length)
  • Time-bins
  • Gallagher by Segment
  • Speed vs Time
  • Pool zones can be equi-spaced or equi-area.