Pathfinder

Pathfinder classifies spatial navigation search strategies from timestamped X-Y coordinate data to analyze behavior in the Morris Water Maze and other 2D navigation tasks.

Key Features:

• Search Strategy Classification: Identifies and classifies search strategies including Direct Swim, Directed Search, Focal Search, Spatial Indirect, Chaining, Scanning, Thigmotaxis, and Random Search.
• Data Compatibility: Reads timestamped X-Y coordinate data exported from tracking packages such as Ethovision, Anymazy, WaterMaze, and ezTrack, as well as other coordinate datasets.
• Automated Spatial Analyses: Determines pool and platform geometry, generates heat maps, and analyzes navigation relative to multiple goal locations.
• Developmental Characterization: Characterizes the development of specific spatial search strategies during task learning and distinguishes male and female mice navigational approaches in representative datasets.
• Cross-species and Task Adaptability: Applicable to 2D navigation analyses for other species and tasks provided timestamped X-Y coordinates are available.
• Neurobehavioral Insights: Supports analyses that clarify spatial and mnemonic functions of brain regions and that identify disruptions in spatial memory associated with disease models.
• Future-Proof Design: Implemented to allow updates for future developments in spatial behavioral analyses.

Scientific Applications:

• Rodent Morris Water Maze Studies: Quantifies and categorizes navigational behaviors in rodent models performing the Morris Water Maze.
• Learning and Memory Research: Tracks changes in search strategies across learning to inform studies of spatial learning and memory processes.
• Sex Differences in Navigation: Enables comparison of male and female mice navigational approaches within experimental datasets.
• Neural Circuit and Brain Region Analysis: Relates classified search strategies to the spatial and mnemonic functions of specific brain regions.
• Disease Model Assessment: Detects disruptions in spatial navigation and memory associated with neurological disease models.
• 2D Navigation Across Species: Applies strategy classification and spatial analyses to non-water-maze 2D navigation tasks when timestamped X-Y data are available.

Methodology:

Reads timestamped X-Y coordinate data, determines pool and platform geometry, generates heat maps, analyzes navigation with respect to multiple goal locations, and classifies trajectories into predefined search strategy categories.