Ugo Basile Rotometer for Mice Measures Rotational Behavior in Untethered Mice

Measures Rotational Behavior in Untethered Mice

The Ugo Basile Rotometer is widely used to assess rotational behavior commonly associated with:

• Differential expression of neurotransmitter levels (such as GABA or dopamine).

• Developmental anomalies

• Anxiety/stress

• Drug exposure, drug abuse or withdrawal

• Lesioning, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage

Encapsulated magnets taped to the mouse tail, surgically implanted or injected subcutaneosly, are used to automatically count clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. As clockwise and counterclockwise rotations accrue, they are displayed on the front panel of the Rotometer and stored in the internal memory of the instrument. Each Rotometer includes an cylinder animal restrainer and four magnets (2 ea. 2x12mm and 2x15mm).

Ugo Basile’s Rotometer is specifically designed for recording rotations in UNRESTRAINED, FREELY MOVING MICE. THETHER IS NOT REQUIRED!

There are several well-characterized causes of animals to exhibit rotational behaviour:

– unilateral lesions (dopamine)

– uneven/unilateral higher expression of levels of neurotransmitters (GABA or dopamine)

– anxiety/stress may cause this aberrant behaviour.

– exposure to some drugs, or drug abuse, or withdrawal.

The mouse (or small rat) is placed on a 20cm diam. circular arena, enclosed in a clear Perspex cyinder, 25cm tall. Simply attach the included tiny magnet (the size of a grain of rice) to the animal tail and the Rotometer automatically tracks clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. Digital read-out shows accrued rotations. The Rotometer features Portable Memory Stick technology, USB interface, & software for connection to PC.