Y-Maze Analysis Software
Analyze arm exploration and spontaneous alternation from confirmed arm-entry events through a browser-based workflow with no desktop installation.
What the assay measures
Total and per-arm entries
Chronological arm-entry sequence
Entry sequence concept · Arm 1 → Arm 3 → Arm 2Spontaneous alternation
Arm and center dwell
Movement trajectory
Tracking and occupancy quality
From recording to reviewable results
- 01Upload
- 02Select assay
- 03Define geometry
- 04Configure interval
- 05Analyze & review
Purpose-built geometry
Define the three arms and center junction using the connected Y-Maze geometry editor.
Evidence stays connected to the analysis
- Analysis configuration
- Retained with result
- Trajectory / occupancy
- Inspectable
- Quality information
- Available for review
- Research export
- Connected to analysis record
How spontaneous alternation is calculated
RodentMetrics records a chronological sequence of confirmed arm-entry events for each Y-Maze experiment. Spontaneous alternation is evaluated from that sequence using consecutive three-entry windows.
1. Confirmed entry sequence
Every confirmed arm entry is recorded in chronological order as the subject moves through the maze.
2. Rolling triads
Each set of three consecutive entries forms one eligible triad; a longer recording with more entries produces more overlapping triads.
3. Alternation criterion
A triad counts as a successful alternation only when all three entries are into three different arms.
Spontaneous alternation is the proportion of eligible rolling triads that meet the alternation criterion. At least three confirmed arm entries are required to form one eligible triad; when fewer than three eligible entries are available, an alternation percentage is not meaningfully available and is reported as such rather than estimated.
Designed for controlled Y-Maze recordings
Reliable arm and entry detection depends on the full three-arm maze remaining visible and stable throughout the recording. You define the Y-Maze geometry during setup, then review tracking and quality information alongside the results.
- Fixed overhead camera
- All three arms and the center junction visible
- Stable camera and maze position
- Consistent lighting across all three arms
- Adequate contrast between the animal and maze surface
- One animal as the primary moving subject
- Minimal glare or obstruction at the arm junctions
Two distinct measurement families, both reviewable
Y-Maze results keep entry-derived measures and occupancy/trajectory measures conceptually separate rather than blending them into a single score.
Entry-derived measures
Total and per-arm entries, the chronological arm-entry sequence, and spontaneous alternation are all derived from confirmed arm-entry events.
Occupancy & trajectory measures
Arm and center dwell time, the movement trajectory, and tracking/quality information are derived separately from the animal's tracked position over time.
Y-Maze analysis questions
How is spontaneous alternation calculated?
RodentMetrics evaluates spontaneous alternation from the chronological sequence of confirmed arm entries, using consecutive three-entry (triad) windows. A triad counts as a successful alternation when all three entries are into different arms, and the reported percentage is the proportion of eligible triads that meet this criterion. At least three confirmed entries are required before a percentage is meaningfully available.
What counts as an arm entry?
An arm entry is a temporally confirmed transition of the tracked animal into one of the three arms, keeping the entry sequence — and the alternation calculated from it — based on confirmed transitions rather than momentary boundary noise.
Do I need to manually define the Y-Maze geometry?
Yes. The Y-Maze arena editor lets you fit the three arms and center junction to your recording before analysis; entries, dwell and trajectory are all calculated relative to that defined geometry.
Can I review the analysis after it finishes?
Yes. Completed Y-Maze results include the movement trajectory and tracking/quality information alongside the entry-derived and occupancy measures, so detections can be reviewed against the source recording before interpretation.
Analyze a Y-Maze recording
Use the guided RodentMetrics workspace with your own experimental video.