Scientific research uses animals to better understand specific diseases and therapies and their physical and psychological consequences. Scientists often use rodents because of their biological similarities to humans and because they often share similar diseases. This provides a way to study how people develop, age and cope with disease.
A commonly studied behavior in rodents is rotational activity, where they continuously spin or spin within a designated area, experiencing clockwise and counterclockwise turns. Rodents are thought to engage in rotational activity due to drug treatments, environmental factors, or neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Accurate monitoring and recording of rotational activity is crucial for understanding the impact of diseases on the body and mind, which in turn supports the development of appropriate treatments.
This article discusses how to record the rotational activity of unrestrained mice to ensure accurate and reliable results.
Image credits: Orawan Pattarawimonchai/Shutterstock.com
Equipment necessary for recording rotational activity
Several tools are available for monitoring rotational activity in unrestrained mice, and the best one depends on the objectives of the study and the experimental design. Common options include a home cage wheel, an open-source voluntary running activity system, a voluntary wheel running system, and a rotometer.
This article will focus on how to properly record the rotational activity of unrestrained mice using a rotometer.
A rotometer system typically includes test stations (single or multiple), computer software, and a tracking system that monitors and records each mouse rotation in real time.
Accurately capture rotational activity
With the right tracking system, the challenges of accurately recording rotational activity can be easily overcome. Depending on the application, common options include a video tracking system or a magnetic sensor attached or injected into the rodent model that records every turn the animal makes.
Systems come in different configurations. Some use a harness to monitor animals without implants or video surveillance. The software records data and stores it until it is ready for analysis.
It is critical to consider environmental factors such as lighting, noise and temperature to ensure that rotational activity is not due to external forces. These can affect the behavior of the mouse, potentially leading to inaccuracies in the data.
Where can I buy instruments for rotational activities?
San Diego Instruments offers an intuitive and reliable instrument Rotometer activity system for studies into Parkinson’s disease and other neuroscientific research.
The Rotometer does not require implants or video monitoring to accurately record rotational activity. This system uses an elastic harness and a long strap attached outside the container to precisely control clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. It also offers greater flexibility, allowing as many as 16 test stations to run from one computer.
The compartment is designed to force the animal to turn within its length. Key features include easy subject loading, measurement of full or half turns, real-time monitoring and accurate reporting via integrated software.
The software provides high accuracy by automatically recording and saving session data in a single file. It also allows researchers to pre-assign animals to a specific testing station and set up a pre-programmed protocol for each session.
Every mouse movement, including back, quarter or full turns, is counted and the risk of recording exploratory behavior is significantly reduced. This results in an efficient method for accurately recording the rotational activity of unrestrained mice, supporting numerous research applications.
About San Diego Instruments, Inc.
For more than 30 years San Diego Instruments has served the scientific community as a comprehensive resource for the design, manufacture, and distribution of behavioral neuroscience research instruments used in human and animal studies. SDI systems are used in laboratories and reported in research papers worldwide and have come to represent the industry standard for quality and longevity. Our first-class SR-LAB is the world’s most widely used startle response system. At SDI, our commitment to developing quality products that stand the test of time is only matched by our commitment to excellent customer service. We are proud of our ever-growing core of loyal customers.
SDI behavioral neuroscience research systems give you the ultimate in quality and performance, giving you an edge in an industry where power, flexibility and ease of use are everything.
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