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Animal
Mouse, Rat
Videotracking
Traditional

Forced Swim Test for Mice and Rats

Product Code:40122/40123
Category: Mazes, Tracking

Automatically scores wheel rotations, corresponding to rodent escape behaviors. A primary screening test for antidepressants.

Automates up to 40 tests simultaneously for high throughput. Durable, easy to assemble. Optimized for use with video tracking software.

Model
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This product warranty can be extended up to 24 Additional Months.
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Background

  • Automatically scores active rat (and mouse) escapes and eliminates the subjectivity of immobility measurements. The number of wheel rotations count as escape attempts. Automated scoring of wheel rotations eliminates the subjectivity of immobility measurement.
  • A modification of the classic Porsolt Forced Swim Test used to test for antidepressant activity, particularly in rats. S. Nomura et al introduced an objective measurement, the number of rotations of the water wheel in a 1982 paper, “... this water wheel test is more appropriate as a screening test for antidepressants than Porsolt’s test with regard to both objectivity and specificity.” (Nomura et al.)
  • In the habituation phase, the rodent is left for 5 minutes to explore the tank, and will identify the wheel as a possible way to escape. The wheel rotates freely. During the test proper: rodents turn the wheel vigorously and when they give up attempts to escape from the water, the wheel stops revolving and the number of rotations are recorded.

 

Automatic detection, high throughput 

  • Waterwheel rotations are automatically detected via a precision rotating encoder.
  • Continuous water temperature feedback from temperature sensor (included).
  • Optimized for use with ANY-maze or any other software able to receive video input. ANY-maze software automatically scores number of rotations, performs statistical analysis, and collects additional information from electronics using Forced Swim Module – available with full software license.
  • Automate up to 40 tests simultaneously for high throughput. Up to 40 units can be connected to a single PC.
  • Connection to PC via USB (or USB hub). 
  • High quality, easy to assemble. All materials are selected for reliability and durability.

Feature

Benefit

High Throughput

Automate up to 40 tests, simultaneously

Automated scoring of wheel rotations

Eliminates subjectivity of immobility measurement

Connection to PC via USB (or USB hub)

Data collection and analysis via ANY-maze

Temperature sensor included

Continuous water temperature feedback

 

General 

Power Supply

USB (connection to PC)

Scoring

via rotation encoder (CW & CCW rotations)

Temperature feedback

Temperature sensor

Data collection & analysis

via ANYmaze FST module

Operating Temperature

10° to 40°C

Sound Level

Negligible

Pollution Degree

≤ 2

Physical

Dimensions

24(w)x12(d)x21(h)cm

Weight

2,4Kg

Shipping Weight

3.5Kg

Packing Dimensions

29x26x29cm

Warranty

Warranty Forced Swim Test is covered by a 12-month warranty + 12 after product registration 
UB-Care Additional UB-Care can be added for other 12 or 24 months

 

“A depressed state can be induced in mice by forcing them to swim in a narrow cylinder from which they cannot escape. After a brief period of vigorous activity the mice adopt a characteristic immobile posture which is readily identifiable” (Porsolt et al.).
In other words, mice forced to swim in a restricted space rapidly cease moving and become lethargic. Porsolt et al. named this phenomenon ‘behavioral despair’, and demonstrated that antidepressants selectively reduced the immobility.
The modification suggested by S. Nomura et alia in their paper of 1982 involves a small water wheel set in a water tank, to provide an objective measurement (number of rotations) and overcome the bias intrinsic to Porsolt’s method.

Product

40803

Forced Swim Test, complete

Videotracking

60000-FST

ANYmaze Module for FST

 

S. Nomura et alia: “A New Behavioral Test for AntiDepressant Drugs” Eur. J. Pharmacol. 83, 171-175, 1982

R.D. Porsolt et alia: “Behavioral Despair in Mice: A Primary Screening Test for Antidepressants” Arch. Intl. Pharmacodyn. 229(2), 327-336, 1977

R.G. Browne: “Effects of Antidepressants and Anti­cholinergics in a Mouse “Behavioral Despair” Test” Eur. J. Pharmacol. 58(3): 331–334, 1979

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