Build instructions for a long term behavioural enclosure for measuring motivational switching in mice

Abstract

Switching between motivated behaviours, such as feeding, drinking and socializing, is important for survival in a dynamic, social environment. Inflexible repetitive behaviours are a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Studies of the neural mechanisms underlying motivated behaviours, i.e., drives, seldom focus on switching between them. This is partly due to a lack of appropriate behavioural measurement systems. In this study, we build and test a device for measuring motivational switching in mice, the Switchmaze. We present build instructions using affordable off-the-shelf components, and openly accessible acquisition and analysis scripts.