OBAT: An open-source and low-cost operant box for auditory discriminative tasks

Area of Science:

• Behavioral neuroscience
• Animal behavior research
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Operant conditioning boxes are crucial for animal behavior research, but commercial options are costly and inflexible.
• Existing low-cost, open-source devices often lack capabilities for auditory behavior studies.
• There is a need for affordable, adaptable tools to investigate auditory learning in animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective, open-source operant conditioning device for auditory tasks in small primates.
• To create a flexible system that overcomes the limitations of proprietary commercial equipment.
• To facilitate research into auditory discrimination and learning in non-human primates.

Main Methods:

• A computer and Arduino Mega 2560 board were integrated to create the Operant Box for Auditory Tasks (OBAT).
• The device features distinct modules for sound delivery, response input (bars), and reward dispensing.
• Open-source schematics and software were utilized for accessibility and adaptability.

Main Results:

• The OBAT system is estimated to be 4-10 times cheaper than commercial operant conditioning boxes.
• Pilot testing demonstrated the device's efficacy in training a marmoset for an auditory discrimination task.
• Accuracy tests confirmed high temporal precision in the OBAT's operation.

Conclusions:

• The developed OBAT provides a viable, low-cost solution for auditory behavior research in small primates.
• The open-source nature of OBAT allows for easy replication and customization by other research groups.
• This device can significantly advance the study of auditory processing and learning in animal models.