Open Source Neuro Mouse Box Literature Review

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Key words terms (KWT)

1. Open Source
2. Rodent
3. Chamber
4. Operant Chamber
5. Bussey-Saksida
6. touchscreen

Strategies

1. Searched Google Scholar using KWT1, KWT 2, and KWT3.

The "What" of the topic.

The "How" of the topic.

The "Why" of the topic.

The "When" of the topic. Review current state with an emphasis on the development of the field over time.

The "Where" of the Topic

• Campden Instruments design
  • Trapezoidal wall design

Palmer, D., Dumont, J. R., Dexter, T. D., Prado, M. A. M., Finger, E., Bussey, T. J., & Saksida, L. M. (2021). Touchscreen cognitive testing: Cross-species translation and co-clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 182, 107443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107443

Abstract: Translating results from pre-clinical animal studies to successful human clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease presents a significant challenge. While this issue is clearly multifaceted, the lack of reproducibility and poor translational validity of many paradigms used to assess cognition in animal models are central contributors to this challenge. Computer-automated cognitive test batteries have the potential to substantially improve translation between pre-clinical studies and clinical trials by increasing both reproducibility and translational validity. Given the structured nature of data output, computer-automated tests also lend themselves to increased data sharing and other open science good practices. Over the past two decades, computer automated, touchscreen-based cognitive testing methods have been developed for non-human primate and rodent models. These automated methods lend themselves to increased standardization, hence reproducibility, and have become increasingly important for the elucidation of the neurobiological basis of cognition in animal models. More recently, there have been increased efforts to use these methods to enhance translational validity by developing task batteries that are nearly identical across different species via forward (i.e., translating animal tasks to humans) and reverse (i.e., translating human tasks to animals) translation. An additional benefit of the touchscreen approach is that a cross-species cognitive test battery makes it possible to implement co-clinical trials—an approach developed initially in cancer research—for novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Co-clinical trials bring together pre-clinical and early clinical studies, which facilitates testing of novel treatments in mouse models with underlying genetic or other changes, and can help to stratify patients on the basis of genetic, molecular, or cognitive criteria. This approach can help to determine which patients should be enrolled in specific clinical trials and can facilitate repositioning and/or repurposing of previously approved drugs. This has the potential to mitigate the resources required to study treatment responses in large numbers of human patients.

• Consistent environments ensure reproducible results
• touchscreens more suitable for reverse translation
• touchscreens increase stimuli variety

Devarakonda, K., Nguyen, K. P., & Kravitz, A. V. (2016). ROBucket: A low cost operant chamber based on the Arduino microcontroller. Behavior Research Methods, 48(2), 503–509. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-015-0603-2

Abstract: The operant conditioning chamber is a cornerstone of animal behavioral research. Operant boxes are used to assess learning and motivational behavior in animals, particularly for food and drug reinforcers. However, commercial operant chambers cost several thousands of dollars. We have constructed the Rodent Operant Bucket (ROBucket), an inexpensive and easily assembled open-source operant chamber based on the Arduino microcontroller platform, which can be used to train mice to respond for sucrose solution or other liquid reinforcers. The apparatus contains two nose pokes, a drinking well, and a solenoid-controlled liquid delivery system. ROBucket can run fixed ratio and progressive ratio training schedules, and can be programmed to run more complicated behavioral paradigms. Additional features such as motion sensing and video tracking can be added to the operant chamber through the array of widely available Arduino-compatible sensors. The design files and programming code are open source and available online for others to use.

• $150 for off-the-shelf components
• 3D-printed well not included in estimate
• Soldering required for assembly  
• No mention of original commercial price

Buscher, N., Ojeda, A., Francoeur, M., Hulyalkar, S., Claros, C., Tang, T., Terry, A., Gupta, A., Fakhraei, L., & Ramanathan, D. S. (2020). Open-source raspberry Pi-based operant box for translational behavioral testing in rodents. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 342, 108761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108761

Abstract: Background: Rodents have been used for decades to probe neural circuits involved in behavior. Increasingly, attempts have been developed to standardize training paradigms across labs; and to use visual/auditory paradigms that can be also tested in humans. Commercially available systems are expensive and thus do not scale easily, and are not optimized for electrophysiology. New method: Using the rich open-source technology built around Raspberry Pi, we were able to develop an inexpensive (< $1000) visual-screen based operant chamber with electrophysiological and optogenetic compatibility. The chamber is operated within MATLAB/Simulink, a commonly used scientific programming language allowing for rapid customization.

• System used audio cues
• laser-cut and 3D printed components
• Batteries for noise reduction
• Minimal metal for noise reduction

Gurley, K. (2019). Two open source designs for a low-cost operant chamber using Raspberry Pi^TM. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 111(3), 508–518. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.520

Abstract: After almost a century of use and development, operant chambers remain a significant financial investment for scientists. Small powerful single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi™ offer researchers a low-cost alternative to expensive operant chambers. In this paper, we describe two new operant chambers, one using nose-poke ports as operanda and another using a touchscreen. To validate the chamber designs, rats learned to perform both visual discrimination and delayed alternation tasks in each chamber. Designs and codes are open source and serve as a starting point for researchers to develop behavioral experiments or educational demonstrations.

• Materials recycled from laboratory  
• Raspberry Pi for both
• No other microcontroller
• Model 1: Polypropylene painted black on exterior  
• interior unpainted
• Nose-poke
• Polypropylene chewed through
• Model 2: acrylic components
• black interior
• touchscreen
• Pellets as rewards  

Pineño, O. (2013). ArduiPod Box: A low-cost and open-source Skinner box using an iPod Touch and an Arduino microcontroller | Behavior Research Methods .Springer Nature Link. Retrieved July 2, 2026, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13428-013-0367-5

Abstract: This article introduces the ArduiPod Box, an open-source device built using two main components (i.e., an iPod Touch and an Arduino microcontroller), developed as a low-cost alternative to the standard operant conditioning chamber, or “Skinner box.” Because of its affordability, the ArduiPod Box provides an opportunity for educational institutions with small budgets seeking to set up animal laboratories for research and instructional purposes. A pilot experiment is also presented, which shows that the ArduiPod Box, in spite of its extraordinary simplicity, can be effectively used to study animal learning and behavior.

• Apple iPod touch and Arduino microcontroller
• rodent interacts with iPod
• Plexiglass, clear walls

Buscher, N., Ojeda, A., Francoeur, M., Hulyalkar, S., Claros, C., Tang, T., Terry, A., Gupta, A., Fakhraei, L., & Ramanathan, D. S. (2020). Open-source raspberry Pi-based operant box for translational behavioral testing in rodents. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 342, 108761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108761

Devarakonda, K., Nguyen, K. P., & Kravitz, A. V. (2016). ROBucket: A low cost operant chamber based on the Arduino microcontroller. Behavior Research Methods, 48(2), 503–509. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-015-0603-2

Gurley, K. (2019). Two open source designs for a low-cost operant chamber using Raspberry Pi^TM. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 111(3), 508–518. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.520

Palmer, D., Dumont, J. R., Dexter, T. D., Prado, M. A. M., Finger, E., Bussey, T. J., & Saksida, L. M. (2021). Touchscreen cognitive testing: Cross-species translation and co-clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 182, 107443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107443

Pineño, O. (2013). ArduiPod Box: A low-cost and open-source Skinner box using an iPod Touch and an Arduino microcontroller | Behavior Research Methods. Springer Nature. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2026, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13428-013-0367-5