Protocol to build open-source Discrimin8 maze to study discrimination of reward-context associations in mice during open-field foraging

The hippocampus is known to process context-specific memories. We provide a protocol for studying context discrimination in mice utilizing the open-source Discrimin8 maze. We describe the steps for building the maze and using custom-written codes implementing the task. Finally, instructions are provided to train mice on the task. This protocol implements a low-cost, automated maze allowing for investigation of context discrimination in freely moving mice. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Tarcsay et al. 1 • Instructions to build the Discrimin8 maze • Guidance to calibrate the custom-written codes to control the maze • Steps for testing context discrimination in a discrimination/generalization task Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. The hippocampus is known to process context-specific memories. We provide a protocol for studying context discrimination in mice utilizing the open-source Discrimin8 maze. We describe the steps for building the maze and using custom-written codes implementing the task. Finally, instructions are provided to train mice on the task. This protocol implements a low-cost, automated maze allowing for investigation of context discrimination in freely moving mice.