Originally developed at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus and licensed to LabeoTech, this treadmill ships pre-assembled and fully tested. Mice walk and run naturally while you record locomotion, with electrophysiology or any type of imaging. An extra belt is included.
Natural, Low-Friction Locomotion
A Teflon surface keeps friction low and the belt durable. Smooth, quiet movement with little vibration reduces stress for the animal.
Precise Movement Tracking
A quadrature rotary encoder tracks the belt. The free software saves speed and distance to CSV, and a 0–3.3 V analog output, serial commands and support for Maestro and PsychoPy connect it to your setup.
Fits Under Your Microscope
The low-profile design fits under most microscopes, including the OiS200, two-photon and OCT systems. Add our Behavioral Camera to record behavior.
Specifications
| Belt | Low-friction Teflon surface, rodent-driven. Extra belt included |
|---|---|
| Adjustments | Inclination (front-back) and translation, for optimal animal comfort |
| Tracking | Quadrature rotary encoder |
| Outputs | 0–3.3 V analog output for speed and direction. Serial commands |
| Software | Free software to display and save speed and accumulated distance (CSV). Compatible with Maestro and PsychoPy |
| Power | USB-C, wall adapter and cable included |
| Mounting | M6 or 1/4″ breadboards |
| Recording | Electrophysiology and all types of imaging: two-photon, OCT, widefield (OiS200) and more |
Optional Add-Ons
Choose them in the options above: a detachable motor for controlled-speed training, and a head fixation holder in two versions.
Detachable Motor Add-On
- Wide 90 mm belt version
- Drive speed adjustable from 10 to 800 mm/s
- Speed set with a manual dial, the included software or serial commands
- Enable/disable switch and slow ramp start
- Easily detached for manual, low-friction operation
- USB-C powered, wall adapter and cable included
- Mounted on a 150 × 150 mm metric breadboard (M6 taps), imperial on request
Head Fixation Add-On
- Standard: 25 mm square headbars (Standard #1), fixed position. Adjust the treadmill for the animal's comfort
- U-Shaped: all our titanium headbars, with pitch and yaw adjustment of ±30°
- Custom holders on request for other headbar models
- Mounted on a 150 × 150 mm metric breadboard (M6 taps), imperial on request
Made for Our Titanium Headbars
The holder is designed around our titanium headbars / head plates: lightweight, strong, and shaped for a secure fit that minimizes discomfort for the animal.
- Square bars (25 × 3.2 × 3.2 mm): fit both the Standard and U-Shaped models.
- Flat bars (1.0 mm): fit the U-Shaped model directly. The Standard model takes them with a free adapter.
- Your own headbars: contact us to design a custom holder for the U-Shaped model.
Not sure which headbar to choose? Contact us with your imaging setup and we'll recommend one.
Free Implantation, Training and Habituation Protocols
Request a free copy of our surgical protocol, with detailed photos and videos of every step. We also provide training and habituation protocols to help your mice adapt to head fixation and the treadmill.
Example Protocols
- Rodent-driven treadmillJackson J. et al. Inhibitory control of prefrontal cortex by the claustrum. Neuron 99.5 (2018): 1029–1039.
- Motorized treadmillMoeini M. et al. Cerebral tissue pO2 response to treadmill exercise in awake mice. Scientific Reports 10.1 (2020): 13358 (see Table 1).
Case Studies from Our Blog Featuring This Product
Cortical Dynamics in Mouse Behavior Using Widefield Calcium Imaging – Part Two
In the previous blog, we explored the dynamics of cortical activity during distinct behaviors in an awake mouse. In this part, we will showcase another analysis that assesses the interconnectivity of cortical regions.
Read More »
Cortical Dynamics in Mouse Behavior Using Widefield Calcium Imaging – Part One
The mouse cortex is a complex structure segmented into distinct regions, each specialized in processing sensory information, motor planning and execution. These functional modules are highly interconnected and work together to drive behavior.
Read More »Build Your Own Behavioral or VR Setup
This treadmill is part of our configurable behavioral task and virtual reality systems. Build a complete setup with compatible accessories, then purchase online or request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the treadmill work with non-head-fixed mice?
Yes, but for freely moving rodents you might prefer our larger treadmills, available for both mice and rats. This treadmill was designed for head-fixed mice. In our tests with a custom harness, mice ran properly on it. Further validation may be needed depending on your experiment.
Is the software included?
Yes. The software is included at no additional cost and can be downloaded from our Downloads page. It displays and saves speed and accumulated distance in CSV format.
Will mice immediately start running on the treadmill?
Not immediately. Mice need to be gradually habituated to the treadmill to minimize stress and ensure smooth running. We recommend daily sessions of 20 minutes to 1 hour over 3 to 5 days, following our free step-by-step habituation and training protocol.
Can the treadmill be used with an imaging system?
Yes. Its low profile fits under most microscopes. It is compatible with our OiS200 optical imaging system and its optogenetics add-on, as well as two-photon microscopy and OCT. The OiS200 analog input can record treadmill speed during imaging sessions.
Is the treadmill compatible with electrophysiology?
Yes. With proper grounding, the treadmill does not induce noise in your electrophysiology recordings.
Which head fixation option should I choose?
The Standard version holds 25 mm square headbars in a fixed position; you adjust the treadmill for the animal's comfort. The U-Shaped version accepts all our titanium headbars and adds pitch and yaw adjustment of ±30°. Both come on a 150 × 150 mm metric breadboard.
Can the motor be removed?
Yes. The motor add-on is easily detachable, so you can switch back to manual, rodent-driven operation at any time.
Can the treadmill be customized?
Yes. We can adapt the treadmill to your research needs, including custom belt lengths and widths, alternate mounting configurations and interface options. Contact us to discuss your setup.
