Active Avoidance set-up for Mice and Rats (Shuttle-Box)

Background

• Active avoidance is a fear-motivated associative avoidance task. By learning to predict the occurrence of an aversive event (shock) based on the presentation of a specific stimulus (tone), the animal avoids the aversive event by moving to a different compartment.
• Serves as an index of learning and allows memory to be assessed.
• Used in a wide range of studies including behavior genetics, psychopharmacology and behavioral toxicology. More recently these tests have been used in studies of aging, Alzheimer-type dementia and drug development.

 Versatile, flexible schedule, precise detection

• Enables the researcher to perform a wide range of avoidance experiments, each according to a flexible schedule (using Timeline feature).
• Precise detection of animal crossing (moving to a different compartment). A tilting floor provides a simple, reliable detection mechanism for scoring animal movement across the two compartments. A partition with an intercommunicating opening at floor level divides the cage.
• The intuitive electronic unit display controls up to 4 cages, incorporates a constant-current high precision 8-pole shocker and manages data acquisition. 
• Measures recorded include:
  • Number of avoidances (the mouse crossing to the other compartment during the warning signal)
  • Number of non-responses (the mouse failing to cross to the other compartment during the trial)
  • Response latency (latency to avoid or escape)
  • Number of intertrial responses (i.e. crossing the barrier within the intertrial interval), 
• Data are stored inside the unit and can be downloaded for further processing or analysis in Excel, Access, etc.
• Engineered with high contrast, non-reflective materials that are optimal for video tracking.
• Anti-slip, naturally warm, maze surface texture is selected for best rodent comfort. 
• System includes a Controller, and a Cage for either rat or mouse. 
• Part of the expandable Ugo Basile Beehive conditioning-cage project. Using a single touch-screen controller, you manage all cages.