RAPC is a behavioural monitoring apparatus designed to completely automate and assess spatial learning and memory.

The RAPC apparatus consists of a rectangular acrylic chamber with a ‘start box’ and reward compartment at opposite ends. The chamber is divided into five, equal size compartments, separated by four transparent panels, each equipped with three electronically-monitored, one-way doors. An animal successfully progresses through the apparatus, beginning in the ‘start box’ and subsequently passing through each chamber on its way to the reward chamber. In the progression from one chamber to the next, the animal is confronted with a choice of which door to open. Errors are scored for attempting to open a locked door (doors are locked and opened manually).

The distinctive and flexible RAPC design allows the system to be used with a positive reinforcement-based operant paradigm, with alternating learning and performance components during each experiment session (different auditory stimuli signal which component is currently in effect). This unique, positive-reinforcement based paradigm allows the researcher to evaluate learning, versus rote performance, on a within-subject and within-behavioural test session basis.