Description
Mouse Shuttle Box Features |
2 Dual control speakers |
2 Dual control lights |
2 Dual control shock grids |
Top lid |
Acrylic plating: allow for adjustable contexts; black/black plating for active avoidance; and white/black plating for passive avoidance. (Remove plates for clear context) |
Note: Sound Attenuation Chamber sold separately |
Rat Shuttle Box Features |
2 Dual control speakers |
2 Dual control lights |
2 Dual control shock grids |
Top lid |
Acrylic plating: allow for adjustable contexts; black/black plating for active avoidance; and white/black plating for passive avoidance. (Remove plates for clear context) |
Note: Sound Attenuation Chamber sold separately |

Take advantage of Neuralynx, Ethovision Integration, SMS and Email integration with the Conductor Science Software. No I/O Boxes Required
Features
- Two independent channels, each with Range 100-40,000Hz; 1-150dB.
- White Noise Generator included in default Software.
- Insert any sound file you wish to play using the Conductor Software.
- Automated location detection with highly sensitive sensor arrays built onto the sides of chambers. Allows for precise location detection. Works in addition to augmented video tracking services such as Noldus Ethovision.
- Easy to replace acrylic plates withĀ black and white contexts for passive and active avoidance experiments.
- 2 Independent light controls.
- Visible and IR light dual bulb
- 0.1-4.0mA in 0.1mA steps
- DC Current.
- Removable Grid.
- 2 Independent Shock grid control.
Dimensions
- Interior Dimensions:
- Length: 18cm
- Width: 18 cm
- Height: 20cm
- Exterior Dimensions
- Length: 22cm
- Width: 22cm
- Height: 25cm
- Grid dimension 20Ć20 cm (to fit)
- Interior Dimensions:
- Length: 25cm
- Width: 25Ā cm
- Height: 25cm
- Exterior Dimensions
- Length: 30 cm
- Width: 30Ā cm
- Height: 30Ā cm
- Grid dimension 27Ć27 cm (to fit)
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Introduction
Apparatus and Equipment
The floor of the box features an electrifiable grid, which can deliver shocks via a calibrated shock generator. Additionally, the setup includes an auditory source for providing sound cues. The chambers can be illuminated or darkened according to the requirements of the experiment. The design of the box facilitates easy cleaning and monitoring of the animals.
A compact size is preferred for the apparatus to limit the animal’s behavioral options, enabling it to quickly navigate to and enter the other compartment without hesitation.
The apparatus can be outfitted with a video monitoring system integrated with Noldus EthoVisionĀ® XT software. Both the sound cues and foot shock delivery systems can be automatically controlled.
Training Protocol
The purpose of the passive and active avoidance tests is to evaluate learning in rodentsĀ in a control vs. disease model/intervention group, by assessing their fear-based conditioned avoidance behavior.
There are several versions of protocols to be used with the passive and active avoidance tests, varying in the apparatus used for the test, for example. Here, we describe a general protocol to be used with a shuttle box apparatus.
Modifications
Avoidance behavior can also emerge without any external conditioned stimulus (CS) if unconditioned stimuli are administered at consistent intervals (Sidman avoidance; Sidman, 1953). In this setup, the passage of time or time-related signals act as the CS. The door between the chambers remains open, and both chambers are kept dark. Every time the animal moves from one side to the other, the fixed inter-trial interval (for instance, 60 seconds) is reset. The unconditioned stimulus (US) is delivered only if the animal does not respond within this interval.
In more advanced paradigms, the animal may be required to perform a specific action, such as pressing a lever, standing, vocalizing, or covering a certain distance, to avoid the onset of the US and turn off the CS.
Sample Data
The data obtained from the passive and active avoidance tests is generally visualized by graphing the latency to avoid the aversive stimulus.
For the passive avoidance test, results can be presented by graphing the average avoidance latency for each experimental group.

For the active avoidance test, results can be presented in different ways depending on the chosen protocol. If the escape or avoidance latency is measured in consecutive trials until the criterion run is reached (e.g. 9 avoidances in 10 consecutive trials), results may be graphed as escape/avoidance latencies throughout trials (the time between the CS and the US defines the cutoff time between avoidance and escape behavior).

If the same number of trials is performed in acquisition and in the retention test, results can be graphed as the number of avoidances in 10-block trials.

Using graphs similar to these allows to compare the avoidance behavior between different disease or treatment groups and their effect on learning.
Strengths and Limitations
A key limitation of passive and active avoidance tests is their sensitivity to environmental stress and handling. This issue can be mitigated by reducing stressors as much as possible. For instance, minimize disruptions when transferring animals to and from the testing environment. The apparatus should be situated in a quiet or soundproof room to limit external noise during testing. Additionally, animals should be housed separately to avoid exposure to any vocalizations from the test subjects. Consistency in sensory stimuli is crucial, so variations should be avoided, and testing should be conducted at the same times each day.
Summary and Key Points
- The passive and active avoidance tests are used to study fear-based conditioned avoidance learningĀ in rodents.
- These tests assess the animalsā avoidance behavior in response to an aversive stimulus.
- The passive avoidance test assesses the animalās ability to learn to avoid an aversive event by suppressing a particular behavior.
- The active avoidance test assesses the animalās ability to escape or avoid the aversive stimulus by performing a specific behavior.
- Animals with impaired learning due to brain injury, for example, will be less likely to effectively acquire avoidance behaviors.
- These tests can be used to study mechanisms of learning and the effect of diseases and treatments on learning.
References
Bures J, et al (1976). Techniques and Basic Experiments for the Study of Brain and Behavior.Ā Chapter 3 ā Learning and memory. Pages 91ā169.
Herrnstein, R.J. (1969).Ā Method and theory in the study of avoidance. Psychol. Rev., 76, 49-69.
Martini E, et al (2008).Ā Design, synthesis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of new analogues of DM232 (unifiram) and DM235 (sunifiram) as cognition modulators. Bioorg Med Chem, 16(23):10034-42.
SaÅat K, et al (2017).Ā Novel, highly potent and in vivo active inhibitor of GABA transporter subtype 1 with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, antidepressant and antinociceptive properties. Neuropharmacology, 113(Pt A):331-342.
Sidman, M. (1953)Ā Avoidance conditioning with brief shock and no exteroceptive warning signal.Ā Science, 118, 157ā158.