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Active/Passive Avoidance Shuttle Box

See more by: MazeEngineers

$6,900.00$7,900.00

10% off with your subscription Membership
Ā / Availability: In Stock / Delivery Info ā“˜

Description

The MazeEngineers Shuttle Box is a versatile tool designed for conducting both active and passive avoidance tests. It features dual independent grid floors that can be customized with various adverse stimuli. The top-loading door facilitates convenient access to the interior of the box. Inside, the cage is equipped with a sound generator and a visual stimulus (light), each controllable separately for different compartments.

Rodents are monitored using two distinct sensor arrays known for their high sensitivity and accuracy. The collected data can be analyzed using Noldus Ethovision software and seamlessly integrated with Neuralynx through Conductor Software.

Please note: An Isolation Chamber is not included with this system.

Meet the producer

Producer: MazeEngineers

MazeEngineers offers custom-built behavioral mazes at no extra cost—designed to fit your exact research needs. Eliminate reproducibility issues from poor sizing or lingering scent cues with precision-engineered, modular, and smart mazes that adapt in real time to animal behavior. Publish new protocols, run adaptive experiments, and push the boundaries of behavioral science.

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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

Sound
  • 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.
Location Detection
  • 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.
Contextual Plates
  • Easy to replace acrylic plates withĀ black and white contexts for passive and active avoidance experiments.
Light Cues
  • 2 Independent light controls.
  • Visible and IR light dual bulb
Shock
  • 0.1-4.0mA in 0.1mA steps
  • DC Current.
  • Removable Grid.
  • 2 Independent Shock grid control.

Dimensions

Mouse Shuttle Box
  • Interior Dimensions:
    • Length: 18cm
    • Width: 18 cm
    • Height: 20cm
  • Exterior Dimensions
    • Length: 22cm
    • Width: 22cm
    • Height: 25cm
  • Grid dimension 20Ɨ20 cm (to fit)
Rat Shuttle Box
  • Interior Dimensions:
    • Length: 25cm
    • Width: 25Ā cm
    • Height: 25cm
  • Exterior Dimensions
    • Length: 30 cm
    • Width: 30Ā cm
    • Height: 30Ā cm
  • Grid dimension 27Ɨ27 cm (to fit)

See our FULL citation list

Introduction

Passive and active avoidance tests are commonly used behavioral experiments in neuroscience to evaluate different types of fear-based conditioned avoidance learning in rodents. These avoidance test paradigms are designed around the principle that animals adapt their behavior based on past experiences where certain actions have led to negative outcomes. The underlying concept is that a response previously followed by an unpleasant event will be suppressed in the future (Herrnstein, 1969). In avoidance learning, an aversive event, such as a brief foot shock, can be anticipated through conditioning, and the avoidance response serves to prevent the occurrence of this negative event.

Apparatus and Equipment

The passive and active avoidance tests utilize a shuttle box setup. This apparatus consists of an acrylic enclosure, with its dimensions varying based on the rodent species being studied. The box is divided into two compartments by a doorway, allowing the animal to shuttle between them. This doorway can be sealed automatically by a guillotine door.

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 animals’ avoidance behavior in response to an aversive stimulus.
  • The passive avoidance test assesses the animal’s ability to learn to avoid an aversive event by suppressing a particular behavior.
  • The active avoidance test assesses the animal’s 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 – Learning and memory. Pages 91–169.

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.

Sałat 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, 157—158.

Additional information

Species

Mouse, Rat

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