Rodent Tremor Monitor

• Features
• Apparatus
• Protocol
• Data
• Literature
• References

Mouse Features

Sound attenuating chamber

Mouse Enclosure

Tremor Sensor

Conduct software

Rat Features

Sound attenuating chamber

Mouse Enclosure

Tremor Sensor

Conduct software

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Features

Sound Attenuating Cubicle

• 55cm x 42cm x 55cm (width x depth x height) (dimensions are customizable, please request)
• Multi-layer sound-proof insulation material that attenuates environmental disturbance
• LED house light (manual)
• Automated IR light
• Automated air circulation fan
• Camera mount
• Pull-out floor shelf (optional)

Rodent Enclosure

• Acrylic cage with lid
• Dimensions: mouse 17 x 17 x 25cm (width x depth x height) cm and rat 26 x 26 x 30 cm (width x depth x height)
• Front circular door – The door open in the middle
• Feces and urine tray – removable for feces and urine removal

Control Box

• Support up to eight Tremor Monitor stations: Each station has one control box that controls its operations
• The main control box connects to up to 16 chamber control boxes via wireless communication. The wireless eliminates many cable connections between the main control box and all (up to 8) stations
• The main controller connects to the PC via a USB (RS-232) cable and communicates with Maze Engineers Conduct Tremor software on the PC

Conduct Software

• No TTL is required
• Export real-time recorded data from the control box to PC
• The Conduct Tremor software is used to configure and run experiments. The software is intuitive and precise with easy installation
• The user can specify frequencies (for example at 128Hz) to be monitored
• The data are presented and charted for analysis via FFT that shows the most powerful frequency recorded
• The ability to run up to 60 minutes and the data can be reviewed in adjustable intervals such as 1-minute or 2- minutes
• Support up to 8 stations simultaneously

Tremor sensor

• Ultra-sensitive piezoelectric disk
• Record continuous movement waveforms at 1 to 128 (Hz) in real-time for up to 60 minutes

Apparatus and Equipment

The design of the Rodent Tremor Chamber integrates a sound-attenuating enclosure, rodent support apparatus, tremor detection sensor, and software suite for recording, analyzing, and exporting data. Rodents modeled for tremors and control strains are securely positioned within the holder to facilitate precise tremor analysis. For accurate rodent positioning, advanced video tracking software solutions like Noldus EthoVision, ANY-Maze, or BehaviorCloud can be utilized to monitor rodent movements within the chamber.

Training Protocol

Set up protocol parameters using the Conduct software package, including experimental timing and other variables. Introduce subjects into the rodent enclosure and provide a 10-minute habituation period. Initiate tremor measurement using the Conduct software. Record tremor frequencies and event counts, exporting the data to a PC for further analysis.

Data Analysis

The following parameters can be measured using te rodent temor chamber:

• Number of tremors in a given time
• Type of tremor
• The severity of the tremor
• Response of the tremor to treatment.

Literature Review

Pharmacological Characterization of Harmaline-Induced Tremor Activity in Mice Tremorgenic Indole Diterpenes from Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri and the Identification of 6,7-Dehydro-11-hydroxy12,13-epoxyterpendole A The research aimed to explore the impact of harmaline, a naturally occurring compound, on tremor activity in mice. The investigators conducted experiments to assess harmaline’s tremor-inducing properties and to delve into the underlying mechanisms. In the study, harmaline was administered to mice, and their tremor activity was monitored using specialized equipment. Significant increases in tremor activity were observed post-harmaline administration, affirming its ability to induce tremors. To delve deeper into the mechanisms, various pharmacological agents were administered to the mice prior to harmaline dosing. This approach allowed researchers to evaluate how these agents influenced tremor activity. They focused on compounds targeting neurotransmitter systems like serotonin, glutamate, and GABA, all critical for motor control. Results unveiled that some pharmacological agents exerted inhibitory effects on harmaline-induced tremor activity. For instance, serotonin-targeting compounds mitigated tremor intensity. Conversely, agents impacting the glutamate system intensified tremor activity. The findings offer valuable insights into the pharmacological underpinnings of harmaline-induced tremors in mice. By scrutinizing how different compounds affect tremor severity, the study illuminates the intricate interactions among neurotransmitter systems crucial to motor function. Overall, this research enhances comprehension of tremor disorders and may potentially guide the development of therapeutic strategies for conditions marked by aberrant tremor activity. This study focuses on the discovery and identification of specific compounds, known as indole diterpenes, found in two plant species: Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. The study also investigates the biological activity of these compounds, particularly their ability to induce tremors. The researchers conducted an extensive analysis of the chemical composition of the plants through various techniques, including chromatography and spectroscopy. They successfully isolated and identified several indole diterpenes from both Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. Next, the researchers evaluated the tremor-inducing properties of these indole diterpenes. They administered the isolated compounds to laboratory animals and monitored their tremor activity using specialized equipment. The results demonstrated that these indole diterpenes indeed induced tremors in the animals, confirming their tremorgenic activity. Furthermore, the study focused on a specific compound called 6,7-dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A. The researchers isolated this compound and conducted detailed analysis to elucidate its chemical structure. By employing various spectroscopic techniques, they successfully determined the precise structure of 6,7-dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A. The discovery and identification of these tremorgenic indole diterpenes contribute to our understanding of the chemical diversity present in plants like Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. Additionally, the characterization of 6,7-dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A provide a specific compound of interest for further investigations. Overall, this research sheds light on the chemical properties and tremorgenic activity of indole diterpenes derived from Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. It may have implications in pharmacology and drug development, potentially leading to the discovery of new compounds or therapeutic strategies targeting tremor-related conditions. The research aimed to explore the impact of harmaline, a naturally occurring compound, on tremor activity in mice. The investigators conducted experiments to assess harmaline's tremor-inducing properties and to delve into the underlying mechanisms. In the study, harmaline was administered to mice, and their tremor activity was monitored using specialized equipment. Significant increases in tremor activity were observed post-harmaline administration, affirming its ability to induce tremors. To delve deeper into the mechanisms, various pharmacological agents were administered to the mice prior to harmaline dosing. This approach allowed researchers to evaluate how these agents influenced tremor activity. They focused on compounds targeting neurotransmitter systems like serotonin, glutamate, and GABA, all critical for motor control. Results unveiled that some pharmacological agents exerted inhibitory effects on harmaline-induced tremor activity. For instance, serotonin-targeting compounds mitigated tremor intensity. Conversely, agents impacting the glutamate system intensified tremor activity. The findings offer valuable insights into the pharmacological underpinnings of harmaline-induced tremors in mice. By scrutinizing how different compounds affect tremor severity, the study illuminates the intricate interactions among neurotransmitter systems crucial to motor function. Overall, this research enhances comprehension of tremor disorders and may potentially guide the development of therapeutic strategies for conditions marked by aberrant tremor activity. This study focuses on the discovery and identification of specific compounds, known as indole diterpenes, found in two plant species: Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. The study also investigates the biological activity of these compounds, particularly their ability to induce tremors. The researchers conducted an extensive analysis of the chemical composition of the plants through various techniques, including chromatography and spectroscopy. They successfully isolated and identified several indole diterpenes from both Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. Next, the researchers evaluated the tremor-inducing properties of these indole diterpenes. They administered the isolated compounds to laboratory animals and monitored their tremor activity using specialized equipment. The results demonstrated that these indole diterpenes indeed induced tremors in the animals, confirming their tremorgenic activity. Furthermore, the study focused on a specific compound called 6,7-dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A. The researchers isolated this compound and conducted detailed analysis to elucidate its chemical structure. By employing various spectroscopic techniques, they successfully determined the precise structure of 6,7-dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A. The discovery and identification of these tremorgenic indole diterpenes contribute to our understanding of the chemical diversity present in plants like Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. Additionally, the characterization of 6,7-dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A provide a specific compound of interest for further investigations. Overall, this research sheds light on the chemical properties and tremorgenic activity of indole diterpenes derived from Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri. It may have implications in pharmacology and drug development, potentially leading to the discovery of new compounds or therapeutic strategies targeting tremor-related conditions.

Summary

The Rodent Tremor Chamber allows for ultra-sensitive measurements of tremor in rat and mouse models.

• The apparatus is composed of a sound-attenuating chamber, rodent enclosure, tremor sensor, control box, and Conduct software.
•  Continuous movement waveforms can be recorded at 1-128 Hz in real-time for up to 60 minutes.

References

Gardner, D. R., Welch, K. D., Lee, S. T., Cook, D., & Riet-Correa, F. (2018). Tremorgenic Indole Diterpenes from Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri and the Identification of 6,7-Dehydro-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxyterpendole A. Journal of Natural Products, 81(7), 1682–1686. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00257 Paterson, N. E., Malekiani, S. A., Foreman, M. M., Olivier, B., & Hanania, T. (2009). Pharmacological characterization of harmaline-induced tremor activity in mice. European Journal of Pharmacology, 616(1-3), 73–80. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.05.031