Behavioral research operant conditioning system Locotronic

for ratsfor micefor rodents

The Locotronic is a unique machine for the detailed modeling of walking and its disorders in mice and rats, with respect to motor and psychomotor skills and cognition. This device reveals defects in fine motor coordination during walking, making it suitable for use in functional, toxicological, and genetic models (toxicosis, alcoholism, ataxia, Parkinson's disease, etc.). SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS The Locotronic (Foot Misplacement Apparatus) is the test for sensory/motor impairments. Description: the animal is placed upon a horizontal ladder. It is again motivated to cross the ladder to get into his cage or “safety”. The number of times the animal missteps it’s paw through the ladder is automatically counted. The time to cross the ladder is also recorded. Availability: rat and mouse Principle The equipment consists of a corridor with a departure zone and an arrival zone. The rat or mice is placed upon a horizontal ladder. It is again motivated to cross the ladder to get into his cage or “safety”. The number of times the animal missteps it’s paw through the ladder is automatically counted. The time to cross the ladder is also recorded. The corridor is a flat ladder on which the animal can move from the starting zone towards the arrival zone. On both sides of the ladder, infrared sensors allow you to visualize and record the displacement of the animal as well as motor control displacement of the animal as well as motor control defects (distinguishes front and rear legs). The location and precise length of time of all the errors are recorded.