Zero Maze Protocol

General Overview
This is a task designed to monitor the levels of anxiety of mice using a Zero Maze. Each mouse placed on the maze for 5 minutes and the time it spends in the open and closed sections is measured. Additional measures include: Section entrances, closed head dips (the number of times the mouse looked over the edge of the maze while a portion of the body was in the closed sections), open head dips (The number of times the mouse looked over the edge of the maze while the mouse was completely in the open sections).

Apparatus
The Zero Maze (Med Associtate, St Albans, VT) consists of a circular platform (6.1-cm width with a 40-cm inner diameter) that is equally divided into four quadrants. Two quadrants on opposite sides of the platform are enclosed by walls (20.3 cm high); the other two quadrants are open and bordered by a lip (0.6 cm high). The maze is elevated 72.4 cm above the floor and there is an overhead camera and tracking system to monitor activity of the mouse.

Procedure
Place the mouse just inside a closed arm, with all four paws inside, and its nose pointing inside the closed arm.

Start the tracking system

Watch mouse to make sure he does not escape. If he jumps off the maze gently and quickly place him back on the maze.

After 5 minutes remove mouse to homecage.

Clean the platform with 75% ethanol and start next subject.

Make sure to track each mouse and session !!