A simple computer based system to analyze Morris water maze trials on-line

The development of a system for the acquisition, analysis and storage of data from open-field water-maze procedures in which rats learn to escape from water onto a hidden platform is described. The use of an object-oriented programming language simplifies the programming of the application and provides scientists without formal training in computer programming the ability to create their own software application. The core hardware is an IBM-compatible AT 486 computer and a video capture board. The Microsoft Windows compatible software is written in G (LabVIEW) and presents the user a graphically based 'virtual instrument' thus simulating functions of real instruments which can be interactively accessed. The graphical approach allows the programmer to make fast and simple adaptations of the software to suit the specific experimental problem. Image analysis software tools (Concept V.i) were integrated into this system which has been used successfully for over 2 years in our lab.