Behaviour, Conditioning, Reward

Set-shifting task has proven to be an effective preclinical tool for drug testing and genetic screening, with direct translational valence in healthy humans and patients with schizophrenia.

The Ugo Basile Operon automatizes the Intra-/Extra-dimensional (ID/ED) attentional set-shifting battery of tests offering visual, olfactory and tactile stimulations, all controlled by software and...

Fear conditioning is one of the most common methods to measure memory in rodents. It exploits the Pavlovian association between an unpleasant unconditioned stimulus (shock) to a conditioned neutral stimulus (sound cue). The reaction of rodents, as predated animals, is to freeze (stay immobile) when exposed to fearful situations, such as a shock.

Once the association has happened and...

Pre-pulse inhibition of the Startle reflex (PPI) is a phenomenon in which a weak stimulus (sound or light, or air-puff) suppress the startle response to a subsequent stronger startle stimulus (of the same kind).

The interest in this technique is mainly due to the fact that impairment in PPI is normally linked to a dysfunction in the sensorimotor mechanism, which has been shown in...

A set up for testing active avoidance (also called automatic reflex conditioner or shuttle box), i.e. learning to predict the occurrence of an aversive event, based on the presentation of a specific stimulus. Enables performance of a wide range of avoidance experiments using a flexible schedule. Precise detection of avoiding aversive event. Manage up to 4 cages with one controller.

The cubicle is a sound-attenuating chamber that isolates small animal subjects from distracting ambient light, sound and activity. For behavioral studies including operant behavior (Skinner), self-administration, etc.

High-level soundproof efficacy, noiseless fan, control box. Extra fixtures (speaker and video camera holder) for fear conditioning studies. Available in standard, large...

A classic way to assess short or long-term memory in small laboratory animals (rodents) using a fear-motivated avoidance task. Used routinely in animal model studies of aging and Alzheimer-type dementia, including the search for new therapeutic drugs.

An efficient, reliable instrument for use with mice (or small rats). A silent, automated sliding door divides compartments. Precision...

Passive Avoidance Test is used to assess memory function based on the association formed between a specific environmental context, which the animal learns to avoid and an aversive stimulus – represented by a mild foot shock.

Efficient and reliable. Silent, automated sliding door divides the dark and light compartments. Systems for mice or rats. Manage up to 4 cages with one...

When rodents are exposed to inescapable and unpredictable stress, such as forced swim or inescapable foot shock, they often develop deficits in memory and learning tasks (e.g. Active Avoidance) and they often show analgesic reactions (S.I.A. Stress-Induced Analgesia).

The Ugo Basile Set-Up for Learned Helplessness is based on a sophisticated generator of unpredictable random shocks...

A 2-compartment box that offers visual and tactile differences. For evaluating the abuse potential of substances and the motivational effects of drugs in mice or rats.

Interchangeable floors, optimized for use with video-tracking software or visual scoring, thanks to the grey, high-contrast color and non-smooth, non-reflective paint.

The Porsolt Forced Swim Test (FST), or Porsolt Swim Test (PST), also known as the Behavioral Despair Test, is centered on the way rodents respond to their threat of drowning. This has been correlated to their mood, or, more precisely to their level of depression, with non-depressed animals that swim longer than depressed animals, who, instead, give up and float immobile.

By...

The flexible rodent Lickometer - Vogel Test can operate as both a simple software-based lickometer as well as a system for drinking-conflict experiments (coupled with electric shocks). For assessing anxiety and the anxiolytic effect of drugs.

Rat and mouse models. Easy data collection within the included software for windows. Up to 5 cages can be managed by 1 PC.

Antidepressant drugs and depression animal model genetic screening are commonly conducted by using the Tail Suspension Test (TST). This test is based on the aversive effect of hanging a mouse of rat by the tail, which elicits its struggling moving upwards in an attempt to escape (which is obviously not possible).

The struggling attempt tends to be shorter in duration and translates...