Journal: Neurobiology of learning and memory
Article Title: Assessing Complex Movement Behaviors in Rodent Models of Neurological Disorders
doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.02.025
Figure Lengend Snippet: Behavioral testing arena for assessment of photophobia and phonophobia. Apparatus is a modified Force-Plate Actimeter (BASi) fitted with a light/dark place preference enclosure. The “dark” side features opaque walls and sound attenuation; the “light” side has lamps and speakers that provide computer-controlled delivery of stimuli. The actimeter floor allows precise measurement of locomotor activity and movement patterns of the rat to avoid intense light or sound. In the migraine model, after infusion of the dural stimulus (while the subject is in the behavioral chamber) conditions in the behavioral arena were modified in five-minute periods with 1) no external light or sound, 2) illumination of one side of the chamber to 250 lux, 3) no external light or sound, and 4) 75 dB white noise delivered to one side of the chamber. A: Force transducers. B. Sound-attenuated, dark side of divided chamber. C. Opaque insulating material used to cover all sides of B. D. Speakers for delivery of audio stimuli. E. Lamp for illumination of one side of the arena.
Article Snippet: 1.1.1 Force-plate Actimetry Detailed analysis of locomotor activity, exploratory behaviors, stereotypy, tremor and ataxia are facilitated by apparatus such as the BASi Force-Plate Actimeter (FPA) (Bioanalytical Systems, Inc., Mount Vernon, IN), which provides a very rich data stream that records and quantifies minute details of movement.
Techniques: Modification, Activity Assay