RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A Flexible Fluid Delivery System for Rodent Behavior Experiments
JF eneuro
JO eNeuro
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP ENEURO.0024-25.2025
DO 10.1523/ENEURO.0024-25.2025
VO 12
IS 7
A1 Cruz, Bruno F.
A1 Carriço, Paulo
A1 Teixeira, Luís
A1 Freitas, Sofia
A1 Mendes, Filipe
A1 Bento, Dario
A1 Silva, Artur
YR 2025
UL http://www.eneuro.org/content/12/7/ENEURO.0024-25.2025.abstract
AB Experimental behavioral neuroscience relies on the ability to deliver precise amounts of liquid volumes to animal subjects. Among others, it allows the progressive shaping of behavior through successive, automated, reinforcement, thus allowing training in more demanding behavioral tasks and the manipulation of variables that underlie the decision-making process. Here we introduce a stepper motor-based, fully integrated, open-source solution, that allows the reproducible delivery of small (<1μl) liquid volumes. The system can be controlled via software using the Harp protocol (e.g., from Bonsai or Python interfaces), or directly through a low-level I/O interface. Both the control software and electronics are compatible with a wide variety of motor models and mechanical designs. However, we also provide schematics, and step-by-step assembly instructions, for the mechanical design used and characterized in this manuscript. We provide benchmarks of the full integrated system using a computer vision method capable of measuring across-trial delivery of small volumes, an important metric when having behavior experiments in mind. Finally, we provide experimental validation of our system by employing it in a psychophysics rodent task, and during electrophysiological recordings.