Our place preference boxes for mice and rats feature two compartments separated by a small central area. Dividers are used to restrict the animal s movement to one compartment during conditioning. These dividers can be exchanged for doors in the test trial. The wall elements can be easily exchanged for other types if required. Up to 8 boxes can be operated simultaneously with one computer.
Data acquisition is started and stopped independantly in each box.
Locomotion during the conditioning sessions and the subsequent drug challenges is monitored with infra-red location sensors. The total distance travelled is used as a measure of locomotor activity. When the animal is free to explore both chambers the number of entries and the total time spent in each compartment will yield a reliable measure for preference. Rat and mouse boxes differ in size and sensor density. With optional rearing indicators and shock grid.