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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.01.24.634815

Operant House: A Versatile Open-Source Platform for Automated Operant Conditioning Testing of Mice in Home Cages

Otsuka, S.·Nakamura, Y.·Ito-Ishida, A.·Suzuki, K.·Ishikawa, A.·Matsuda, K.·Suyama, S.·Contractor, A.·Yuzaki, M.
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Abstract

Operant conditioning is a valuable method for studying cognitive functions, yet its adoption is limited by low throughput, labor intensity, and high costs. Here, we developed "Operant House," a low-cost, programmable device featuring a touchscreen, retractable levers, and a water reward port, designed for flexible, automated operant conditioning tasks. To validate its utility, we implemented two protocols to assess working memory in mice: a delayed non-match-to-position test and a two-choice spatial discrimination test. Using these protocols, we examined a mouse model of Alzheimers disease carrying familial Alzheimers disease-associated amyloid precursor protein mutations. Results revealed significant working memory deficits as early as 5 months of age. These findings highlight the Operant House as a cost-effective, high-throughput platform for evaluating higher cognitive functions in mice, offering an accessible tool for investigating models of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Otsuka, S., Nakamura, Y., Ito-Ishida, A., Suzuki, K., Ishikawa, A., Matsuda, K., Suyama, S., Contractor, A., Yuzaki, M.. 2025-01-25. Operant House: A Versatile Open-Source Platform for Automated Operant Conditioning Testing of Mice in Home Cages. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.24.634815

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