The Maze Engineers rodent tremor monitor system is used to measure the tremors in rodents. Tremors are involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions that can be caused by a variety of factors, including neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury or Parkinson’s disease; pharmacological toxicity such as mercury poisoning;  and metabolic disturbances such as hypoglycemia. This system can be used to confirm the diagnosis of tremors and to monitor the real-time response of the tremor to treatment. Multiple chambers can be combined with customizable specifications and dimensions are available.

The following parameters can be measured using the rodent tremor monitor system: type of tremor, the severity of the tremor, and the response of the tremor to treatment.

Here are some of the benefits of using a rodent tremor monitor system:

  • Accurate tremor measurement: The rodent tremor monitor system is a very accurate way to measure tremors. The system can detect tremors that are too subtle to be seen with the naked eye.
  • Quantitative tremor analysis: The rodent tremor monitor system can be used to quantitatively analyze tremors. This means that the system can be used to measure the severity of the tremor, the frequency of the tremor, and the amplitude of the tremor.
  • Tremor monitoring over time: The rodent tremor monitor system can be used to monitor tremors over time. This means that the system can be used to track the progression of tremors and assess the response of tremors to treatment.

Price and Specifications

Mouse

$ 5900

Per Month
  • Sound attenuating chamber
  • Mouse Enclosure
  • Tremor Sensor
  • Conduct software

Rat

$ 6900

Per Month
  • Sound attenuating chamber
  • Rat Enclosure
  • Tremor Sensor
  • Conduct software

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
Conductor software

Take advantage of Neuralynx, Ethovision Integration, SMS and Email integration with the Conductor Science Software. No I/O Boxes Required

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Apparatus and Equipment

The Rodent Tremor Chamber is composed of a sound attenuating chamber, rodent holder, tremor sensor, and applicable software for data recording, analysis, and export.

Tremor model rodents and control strains are placed in the holder for tremor analysis.

Rodent location can be tracked using a video tracking software package such as Noldus EthoVision, ANY-Maze, or BehaviorCloud.

Training Protocol

  1. Prepare protocol parameters using the Conduct software package such as experimental time etc.
  2. Place subjects in the rodent enclosure and allow for habituation for 10 minutes.
  3. Begin tremor measuring using Conduct software.
  4. The recorded frequencies of tremor activity and the number of tremor events are recorded to be exported to PC for data 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

The study aimed to investigate the effects of harmaline, a naturally occurring compound, on tremor activity in mice. The researchers conducted experiments to evaluate the tremor-inducing properties of harmaline and to understand the underlying mechanisms.

The study involved administering harmaline to mice and monitoring their tremor activity using specialized equipment. The researchers observed a significant increase in tremor activity following harmaline administration, confirming its tremor-inducing effects.

To further explore the mechanisms involved, the researchers administered various pharmacological agents to the mice before giving them harmaline. By doing so, they could assess the impact of these agents on tremor activity. They tested compounds that targeted neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin, glutamate, and GABA, which are known to play a role in motor control.

The results of the study revealed that some of the pharmacological agents tested had an inhibitory effect on harmaline-induced tremor activity. For instance, certain compounds acting on the serotonin system reduced tremor intensity. Conversely, other agents, such as those targeting the glutamate system, enhanced tremor activity.

The study provides valuable insights into the pharmacological basis of harmaline-induced tremor activity in mice. By examining the effects of various compounds on tremor intensity, the researchers shed light on the complex interplay of neurotransmitter systems involved in motor control.

Overall, this study enhances our understanding of tremor disorders and could potentially contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions for conditions characterized by abnormal tremor activity.

 

Tremorgenic Indole Diterpenes from Ipomoea asarifolia and Ipomoea muelleri and the Identification of 6,7-Dehydro-11-hydroxy12,13-epoxyterpendole A

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

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