A simple method for recording the path of a rat in an open field

A method for recording the path of a rat during exploration or during a search task in an open field is presented. Its principle relies on the monitoring of the center of gravity of the rat. The open field lies on three strain gauges, on which output signals are sampled at a certain frequency by a digital acquisition system while the rat is walking on the platform. The discrete path is reconstructed off line, and several representative parameters are calculated. Some illustrative results are given.