@article {SpryENEURO.0310-20.2020, author = {Kasey P. Spry and Sydney A. Fry and Jemma M. Strauss and Sandy Drye and Korey D. Stevanovic and James Hunnicutt and Briana J. Bernstein and Eric E. Thompson and Jesse D. Cushman}, title = {3D Printed Capacitive Sensor Objects for Object Recognition Assays}, elocation-id = {ENEURO.0310-20.2020}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.1523/ENEURO.0310-20.2020}, publisher = {Society for Neuroscience}, abstract = {Object recognition tasks are widely used assays for studying learning and memory in rodents. Object recognition typically involves familiarizing mice with a set of objects and then presenting a novel object or displacing an object to a novel location or context. Learning and memory are inferred by a relative increase in time investigating the novel/displaced object. These tasks are in widespread use, but there are many inconsistencies in the way they are conducted across labs. Two major contributors to this are the lack of consistency in the method of measuring object investigation and the lack of standardization of the objects that are used. Current video-based automated algorithms can often be unreliable whereas manual scoring of object investigation is time-consuming, tedious, and more subjective. To resolve these issues, we sought to design and implement 3D printed objects that can be standardized across labs and utilize capacitive sensing to measure object investigation. Utilizing a 3D printer, conductive filament, and low-cost off-the-shelf components, we demonstrate that employing 3D printed capacitive touch objects is a reliable and precise way to perform object recognition tasks. Ultimately, this approach will lead to increased standardization and consistency across labs, which will greatly improve basic and translational research into learning and memory mechanisms.Significance Statement Object recognition assays are widely used in basic research and preclinical models; however, there is a profound lack of standardization in the objects used and scoring methods employed. Here, we show a proof-of-principle demonstration that employing 3D printed capacitive objects is a cost-effective, reliable, and precise way to perform object recognition tasks when compared to manual scoring. This novel approach could ultimately contribute to a more standardized approach to object recognition tasks, which would greatly improve reliability in basic and applied neurobehavioral research.}, URL = {https://www.eneuro.org/content/early/2021/01/12/ENEURO.0310-20.2020}, eprint = {https://www.eneuro.org/content/early/2021/01/12/ENEURO.0310-20.2020.full.pdf}, journal = {eNeuro} }