The HVS Image system is a high-precision Morris water maze software and behavioral analysis system, designed specifically for neuroscience experiments. It’s been used by four Nobel prize-winning neuroscientists and is widely recognized as definitive for Morris Water Maze studies.
The methods and analyses we’ve developed over the years to meet scientists’ needs, and our long experience in the field, mean you can rely not just on our software and equipment, but also on our support with any aspect of your setup, for smooth running experiments and accurate, insightful results.
To request information, a quotation, or advice on your Morris water maze setup → Contact HVS Image
Automated behavior classification | Detailed, specialized analyses
HVS Image provides you with the fullest set of meaningful measures and analyses for water maze, distinguishing behaviors that differ between different subjects or trials, and between the same subject during different parts of individual trials. For example these allow the important distinction between true spatial learning and memory and use of other strategies used to find the hidden platform location, and between behavior early vs later in a trial, notably in a probe test or extinction tests, where the subject may swim directly to the learned platform location and then search elsewhere.
Based on time-stamped position data and the detailed, MWM specific measures and analyses, the latest Morris water maze software identifies behaviors such as direct path to target, target scanning, target-focused search, chaining, general scanning and thigmotaxis, as well as giving you detailed metrics relating to task performance, spatial navigation accuracy and directionality, search location and spatial preference, temporal dynamics within trials and non-spatial behavior and performance factors.
Crucially you can use any of the tests, measures and analyses at any time, whether immediately after trials or even years later if you realize there may be something new to gain from re-analyzing your old data in different ways, as you are not dependent on choices made before data collection; all the data and details that could be needed in any analyses you later choose to do are automatically acquired during trials.
Designed for publication
With reliable, accurate tracking data feeding its unparalleled range of relevant analyses (with definable parameters), the HVS Image system enables you to find significant results where other systems or methods may miss them – with focused simplicity so that you can make full use of its capabilities with ease.
In addition you will have publication quality graphics including full screen path plots detailing not just the path taken from start to end, but also your calibrated platform positions with the target position distinguished, the defined close encounter area(s), the initial heading angle, cone or corridor test visualization if selected, the defined thigmotaxis band, four quadrants and three radial zones, all carefully coded to be readable in black and white as well as in color. Path plots for individual and multiple trials are full screen and can be saved in a single click for use in publications and presentations, for easy comparison of trials and demonstration of findings. You can also save photographs of the actual trial, taken at your chosen frame rate, and heat maps summarizing behavior for your selected set of trials.
You can see some of the publications for which HVS Image systems have been used at Google Scholar results for HVS Image.
The right tool for the job
Using the right tool for the job has a big effect on your outcomes and the ease with which you work. Being specifically designed for Morris water maze, the HVS Image water maze module makes setup and use fast, easy and powerful. For a conventional MWM experiment, the software places a platform position in the center of each quadrant with one click (or you can define different positions if preferred) and you simply set which position number to use in each trial; zones of interest are automatically applied during analysis, including quadrants, circular zones, thigmotaxis band and close encounter areas around each platform position – and you can easily adjust these after running your trials if you have specific requirements or want to experiment. You can readily set up different variations of the water maze, for example using your own chosen platform positions, which you can specifiy visually or numerically, including fewer or much larger numbers of positions. Being specifically designed for Morris water maze also means fewer steps for the user and fewer opportunities for human error, for example in calibration.
Designed around you and your lab
Software and equipment is also built with day to day practicalities in mind. For example, your on screen display shows the pool at nearly full screen height and makes it clear when tracking is in progress; after one trial in a series it will show you essential details for the next trial, at a size you can read from across the lab (you can adjust the size to suit you); we provide a 10 meter / 30 foot boosted extension cable to reach from your tracking computer to your camera, or longer if required; we provide high resolution USB cameras with lenses suited to your ceiling to water surface distance, to ensure you get the best image, and appropriate filters for your experimental setup.
Software and equipment are designed to allow you to get on efficiently and focus on your science. Even new users can be tracking within minutes of receiving their system. Platform positions can be calibrated by one click for typical MWM positions, or clicking desired positions on screen or by defining them numerically. Series of trials can be automated and trials within a series can be re-run if needed. Data is automatically recorded and includes everything needed for any analysis you later choose to use.
Importantly you can view your analysis immediately after a trial on your tracking computer, so you can readily check any detail you need to at the time, as well as on any additional computers you wish to use to carry out your analysis in more convenient locations later. Results export to Excel and other packages.
To discuss your setup or request a quotation → Contact HVS Image
Any time, any place
Send data files to your phone and put the power of HVS Image in your pocket. Swipe through path plots wherever you are, whenever you like. Star those of particular interest, and optionally share to your team.
This makes it easy for you to spot behavioral trends or anomalies that you might not initially see in the analysis, and then re-analyze with adjusted thresholds to get quantitative data for what you’ve seen.
Robust tracking
Further advances in tracking robustness allow you to track even more reliably both in water maze and in other behavioral tasks you may want to run, essential for accurate data and meaningful results.
This also allows you to automate what happens when the subject reaches the platform or target area (if desired). For example you may have the trial end immediately the platform is reached or after the subject has remained on it for a certain duration, or if using the Atlantis platform you may have the platform rise as soon as the subject reaches or crosses the target location or only if the subject remains at the target location for your chosen time. Or you can choose for the trial to be ended manually if you prefer, by a click of the remote.
You can also set a time for the subject to remain on the platform at the end of a trial, in order to have this count down on screen to provide a consistent time for each subject to spend accustoming themselves to the position.
In a probe or extinction trial, the trial will continue for the separately set maximum trial duration, ignoring any crossing of the learned platform location, though this position will be shown on your path plots and used in your analyses.
Live Support
If you need help, whether setting up or introducing a new user to the system later on, we’ll be pleased to assist via email, telephone or remote access to your computer. Clicking your Support button allows us to connect remotely and either control or observe your tracking computer. We can work with you live to show you what to do, check the cause of any issue you experience and see right into your lab using the tracking system’s own camera. This means we can see exactly what you see and help with general lab set-up as well as use of the system itself.
Morris water maze software specifications
The HVS Image system provides a comprehensive set of Morris water maze analyses, covering:
- Basic performance measures (e.g. latency, path length, speed, platform crossings, time in target quadrant)
- Spatial navigation accuracy and directionality
- Search location and spatial preference
- Temporal dynamics within trials
- Non-spatial behavior and performance factors
- Reversal learning and multiple target locations
- Automatic strategy identification
See a full overview of measures and their purposes, with links to detailed explanations for each metric, at: Morris Water Maze Analysis: Measures and Methods
Tracking and analysis system includes:
- Laptop or All-In-One PC, configured for optimum tracking performance and with HVS Image Video Tracking and Analysis software installed.
- Two high resolution HVS Image USB LabCams with lenses for different set-ups.
- Boosted extension cables for cameras.
- Ceiling mounts for cameras.
- Long range wireless remote device, for start-stop when away from PC.
- Ability to record video frames.
- Track live or pre-recorded behavior.
- Tracking on the supplied PC. You can analyze HVS Image data on this and additional PCs.
- Free updates and free technical support for at least three years from purchase date.
- HVS Image Tracking and Analysis Software will be installed and activated on the PC, for behavioral tests including Morris Water Maze, Open Field*, Object Recognition/Placement*, Multi-Arm Mazes such as Elevated Plus, T, Y, Radial Arm Maze, Porsolt Forced Swim Test*, Barnes Maze, 48 or 96 Well Zebrafish Larvae Monitoring and other tests (please ask for any specific test needed).
*Tests marked with an asterisk allow tracking of multiple animals (in a divided arena or separate containers) with one license and one camera, and ability to track in 3D, with two cameras, to track rearing, climbing etc consistently as well as movement and activity around the arena.
Should you upgrade from earlier versions of HVS Image?
The latest system has very significant advantages over earlier ones. Find out more if you would like to consider upgrading to the latest HVS Image system.
Purchasing
You can purchase the HVS Image tracking and analysis system on its own or along with a pool, platform or both. If you need more than one, please ask for a discount. Please contact us with any special requirements.