DrugEffectScan
DrugEffectScan is an optional module for TopScan that is a powerful and effective tool for detecting 3 commonly occurring behaviors of animals under drug effects.
Product Description [PDF opens in new window]
DrugEffectScan provides two functions that can reliably detect two commonly occurring behaviors under drug effects: head waving and darting. An animal such as a rat or a mouse often waves its head quickly to one side and then to the other side while keeping it body relatively stable. Studies at University of Michigan have shown head waving is a stereotypic behavior for an animal under drug effects, and thus can be used as indication for drug influence. Darting is another behavior that often occurs with animals under drug effects. Animal often accelerates quickly and then stops rapidly. This is another stereotypical indication of drug abuse.
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System Requirements
- Windows-based PC (XP, 2000)
- Intel high-speed processor (Pentium 4 or better)
- Special videocard for real-time analysis
- Large HDD capacity for storage
- Good lighting conditions
- IR camera or red light for dark experiments
- Video-multiplexer for multi-camera feed
DrugEffectScan reliably detects head waving by providing many measurements of this behavior, including number of times the head turns to the left, number of times the head turns to the right, and the frequency of head waving. DrugEffectScan also detects how many darting behaviors occur during testing, and gives measurements of speed and distance for each darting behavior.
DrugEffectScan is bundled with the LocoScan module of TopScan that measures all open-field activity, including zone visits, crossovers, speed, motion, immobility, elongation, shape, other measure relating to distanceand orientation to certain landmarks in the arena. Additional functionalities for integration into TopScan include Circling, Flat-back approach, Grooming and Thigmotactic behaviors. With the addition of these behaviors, DrugEffectScan becomes a powerful tool for measuring a broad rage of stereotypic behaviors.
Complete turnkey systems (including all necessary hardware and software) are available. Custom design of your environment to facilitate analysis, including lighting condition setup, IR/red light setup, cage enclosures, video integration, and video-feed to computer is also available.