1 / 2
Incline Rolling Ladder
SKU ME-5010
$1,990.00
IncludesStandard care
A 45-degree inclined ladder with dual-surface rungs for assessing tactile and proprioceptive function in rodents, particularly sensitive to dorsal column pathway deficits.
CE MarkedBAA available
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
Ask Louise about Incline Rolling Ladder fit, setup, configuration, or quote prep.
Already working with us? Sign in to connect this with My Scientist.
Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- ME-5010
- Sizing
- Mouse/Rat: Gap between each 3.7 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Confirm accessories, station layout, and support needs before purchase
The Incline Rolling Ladder (ME-5010) is a specialized behavioral testing apparatus designed to assess tactile and proprioceptive function in rodents. This test is particularly sensitive to functional deficits affecting the dorsal column pathway, which transmits sensory information including touch, vibration, and proprioception to the brainstem. The apparatus features a 34 cm ladder set at a 45-degree incline with 9 adjustable rungs, each containing both smooth mobile and textured immobile surfaces to challenge sensorimotor integration.
Originally developed by Fagoe et al. for detecting functional changes following dorsal column lesions, this test addresses limitations of traditional motor assessments that may miss subtle tactile and proprioceptive impairments. The dual-surface rung design requires animals to distinguish between stable and unstable footing, making it particularly valuable for evaluating recovery following spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve damage, or other conditions affecting somatosensory function.
How It Works
The incline rolling ladder test exploits the fundamental principle that successful locomotion requires continuous integration of tactile and proprioceptive feedback. As rodents ascend the 45-degree inclined ladder, they must distinguish between the stable textured surface and the unstable smooth mobile surface on each rung. This discrimination requires intact dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway function, which transmits fine touch and proprioceptive information from peripheral mechanoreceptors to the somatosensory cortex.
The dual-surface rung design creates a choice point at each step where animals must rely on tactile cues to identify the stable footing surface. Animals with intact sensory function quickly learn to step preferentially on the textured, immobile surface. However, those with dorsal column lesions or other sensory pathway deficits show increased foot slips, longer completion times, and greater reliance on visual rather than tactile cues. The 9 adjustable rungs allow for systematic variation of task difficulty by altering rung spacing or surface properties.
The test's sensitivity stems from its requirement for fine tactile discrimination under challenging postural conditions. Unlike simple locomotor tests that may be compensated by visual or vestibular cues, the rolling ladder specifically taxes the dorsal column pathway's contribution to skilled reaching and stepping behaviors.
Features & Benefits
45-degree incline angle
Optimal angle for challenging proprioceptive and tactile systems while maintaining animal safety and task feasibility.
9 adjustable rungs
Allows customization of task difficulty and spacing to accommodate different experimental paradigms and species.
Dual-surface rung design
Each rung's combination of textured stable and smooth mobile surfaces creates specific tactile discrimination challenges.
34 cm ladder length
Provides sufficient distance for multiple foot placement decisions while maintaining manageable task duration.
Landing platform
Secure endpoint reduces anxiety and provides clear task completion criterion for behavioral analysis.
Standardized protocol timing
3 trials per day format enables reliable statistical analysis while minimizing animal fatigue.
Extended testing capability
Designed for longitudinal studies spanning 8-12 weeks to track recovery or progression.
Sizes by model
| Measurement | Mouse/Rat |
|---|---|
| Gap between each | 3.7 cm |
- 34 cm long ladder
- 9 adjustable rungs 10cm long
- rung
- 10cm platform for landing at the top of the ladder
- The ladder is set at a default angle of 45 degrees (adjustable 30-70 degrees)
- Each rung has a half smooth and mobile surface, and half textured and immobile surface
Incline Angle
- 45 degrees
Number of Rungs
- 9 adjustable rungs
Rung Sections
- Two sections per rung - one smooth and movable, one textured and stationary
Platform
- Landing platform at top
Trials per Day
- 3 trials per subject
Training Duration
- Daily training for 2 weeks before baseline
Testing Duration
- Weekly for 8-12 weeks post-treatment
Behavioral Construct
- Tactile discrimination
- Proprioception
- Sensorimotor integration
- Fine motor coordination
- Skilled reaching
Automation Level
- manual
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Dimensions
- 34 cm
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Motor Function
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Shipping weight
- 21.0 lb
Shipping box
- L: 43.2 cm
- W: 38.0 cm
- H: 27.9 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tactile Discrimination Challenge | Dual-surface rungs with textured stable and smooth mobile sections | Standard ladder tests use uniform rung surfaces without tactile discrimination requirements | Specifically targets dorsal column pathway function rather than general motor coordination. |
| Incline Angle | Fixed 45-degree angle | Many tests use horizontal or variable angle configurations | Optimal angle challenges proprioceptive systems while maintaining animal safety and task feasibility. |
| Rung Adjustability | 9 adjustable rungs for customizable spacing | Fixed rung spacing in most ladder apparatuses | Allows protocol optimization for different species and experimental requirements. |
| Protocol Standardization | Established 2-week training with 3 trials per day and 8-12 week testing protocol | Variable training periods and testing frequencies | Validated protocol parameters ensure reliable baseline establishment and longitudinal tracking. |
| Sensory Pathway Specificity | Specifically validated for dorsal column lesion detection | General motor tests may miss subtle sensory pathway deficits | Higher sensitivity to tactile and proprioceptive impairments that may not affect gross motor function. |
The Incline Rolling Ladder offers unique tactile discrimination challenges through its dual-surface rung design and validated protocol for dorsal column pathway assessment. The 45-degree incline with 9 adjustable rungs provides standardized yet flexible testing conditions for longitudinal sensorimotor evaluation.
Neuroscience
Evaluating functional recovery following spinal cord injury, particularly dorsal column lesions affecting touch and proprioceptive pathways.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of neuroprotective compounds or rehabilitation strategies on sensorimotor integration.
Pain Research
Investigating tactile hypersensitivity and altered proprioception in chronic pain models where fine motor control is compromised.
Neurodegeneration
Detecting early sensorimotor deficits in progressive neurodegenerative disease models before gross motor impairments become apparent.
Motor Function
Quantifying subtle changes in fine motor coordination and tactile discrimination following peripheral nerve injury or repair.
Aging Research
Monitoring age-related decline in proprioceptive acuity and sensorimotor integration in longitudinal studies.
Practical Tips
Best Practices
Allow animals to acclimate to the testing room for 30 minutes before each session to minimize stress-related performance variability.
Why: Environmental stress can mask subtle sensory deficits by overwhelming the animal's sensory processing capacity.
Calibration
Verify the 45-degree incline angle weekly using a digital inclinometer to maintain protocol consistency.
Why: Even small changes in incline angle can significantly affect task difficulty and proprioceptive challenge.
Maintenance
Clean textured and smooth rung surfaces with appropriate disinfectant between subjects to prevent scent cues from influencing performance.
Why: Olfactory cues can provide alternative navigation strategies that bypass the intended tactile discrimination challenge.
Data Quality
Record sessions from multiple camera angles to accurately score foot placement preferences and slip occurrences.
Why: Side and frontal views provide complementary information needed for precise quantification of tactile discrimination behavior.
Troubleshooting
If animals consistently avoid the apparatus, reduce incline angle temporarily during initial training phases before returning to 45 degrees.
Why: Progressive difficulty increase helps establish task engagement while maintaining the eventual protocol validity.
Safety
Place soft bedding material at the base of the apparatus during initial training sessions to cushion potential falls.
Why: Early training sessions may involve more slips as animals learn the task, and safety measures prevent injury.
Best Practices
Maintain consistent inter-trial intervals of 2-3 minutes to prevent fatigue effects while preserving task motivation.
Why: Optimal spacing prevents performance degradation while maintaining the animals' engagement with the tactile discrimination challenge.
Setup Guide
Apparatus Assembly
Assemble the 34 cm ladder frame and secure at 45-degree incline angle. Ensure the landing platform is stable and positioned correctly at the top.
Rung Configuration
Install all 9 rungs with proper spacing, ensuring each rung has one textured immobile surface and one smooth mobile surface correctly oriented.
Environmental Setup
Position apparatus in a quiet testing room with consistent lighting. Place soft bedding at the base to cushion any falls during initial training.
Initial Training Protocol
Begin daily training sessions allowing animals to explore the apparatus freely before implementing the formal testing protocol.
Baseline Establishment
Conduct daily training for 2 weeks until animals consistently complete 3 trials per day with stable performance metrics.
Recording Setup
Position video recording equipment to capture both side and frontal views for detailed analysis of foot placement and slip frequency.
Testing Implementation
Execute weekly testing sessions with 3 trials per subject, maintaining consistent inter-trial intervals and environmental conditions.
What’s in the Box
- Incline ladder frame with 45-degree support structure
- 9 adjustable rungs with dual-surface design
- Landing platform assembly
- Assembly hardware and tools
- Protocol manual with training procedures
- Data recording sheets (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard 1-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for protocol optimization and troubleshooting.
Compliance
IACUC GuidelinesBehavioral testing protocols using this apparatus require institutional review and approval for animal welfare compliance.
NIH Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory AnimalsTesting procedures must follow established guidelines for rodent behavioral assessment and environmental enrichment.
Q
What training duration is required before baseline testing?
A
Animals require daily training for 2 weeks to establish stable baseline performance before experimental manipulation, with 3 trials per day throughout the protocol.
Q
How does this test differ from standard ladder walking tasks?
A
The dual-surface rung design specifically challenges tactile discrimination by requiring animals to distinguish between stable textured and unstable smooth surfaces, making it more sensitive to dorsal column pathway deficits.
Q
What parameters should be measured during testing?
A
Key metrics include completion time, number of foot slips, foot placement accuracy, and preference for textured versus smooth surfaces, typically analyzed via video recording.
Q
Can rung spacing be adjusted for different experimental needs?
A
Yes, the 9 rungs are adjustable to accommodate different task difficulties, species requirements, or specific experimental paradigms.
Q
What types of lesions is this test most sensitive to detecting?
A
The test is particularly sensitive to dorsal column lesions affecting tactile and proprioceptive pathways, as originally validated by Fagoe et al. for detecting functional deficits in these systems.
Q
How long can longitudinal studies be conducted?
A
The protocol is designed for weekly testing over 8-12 weeks, allowing assessment of both acute deficits and long-term recovery patterns.
Q
What environmental factors should be controlled during testing?
A
Maintain consistent lighting, minimize environmental noise, and ensure stable apparatus positioning to reduce variability in tactile discrimination performance.
Have a question about this product?
Track rodents with ConductVision
ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it scores standard rodent tests, such as those listed below.
Examples of tests it scores
To check whether ConductVision scores your protocol in this apparatus, ask in your quote request.
Ask a question
Have a question? Just ask.
Send it over and we'll email you a personalized answer — no call, no scheduling.
Personalized email reply
Usually within one business day
Helpful answers published here
Prefer to talk it through?
Accessories
Enhance your setup with compatible accessories
Total: $0.00
Incline Rolling Ladder
$1,990.00
Added to quoteView Quote
