Back to All products

SR-LAB

SR-LAB-Startle Response System

Startle Response System

The SR-LAB startle response system is the world’s most widely used startle reflex research system for measuring startle habituation, pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) and Fear Potentiated Startle (FPS).

SR-LAB provides a complete hardware and software solution for a wide variety of startle applications.  The system can be configured with up to 16 stations for high through put.

SR-LAB software controls virtually any combination of tones, noise bursts, lights, air puffs, background noise and foot shock options.  Importantly, SR-LAB supports multiple test paradigms without requiring costly add-on kits or additional software.

Download data sheet
  • Supports all startle paradigms including startle habituation, pre-pulse and cross-modal inhibition, fear potentiated startle, trace conditioning and gap detection.
  • Configure up to 16 test stations for rapid testing of large subject groups
  • Easy to use software controls all test paradigms
  • Plug-in kits for shock, puretone, airpuff and light stimuli
  • Results reported millivolts
  • Test animals of varying sizes with five different enclosure options

Easily Test the Most Prevalent Test Paradigms
The basic SR-LAB System will test the Startle Habituation and Pre-Pulse Inhibition paradigms with no additional kits required.  To test the Fear Potentiated Startle paradigm, simply add on the SR-LAB Potentiated Startle Kit which includes the SDI Shocker (a proprietary design that keeps the animal from determining any patterns), a shock grid, and a cue light.  No additional software is required to support the Fear Potentiated Startle paradigm .
One Software Program for All Paradigms
With the SR-LAB software, you can develop and execute any startle reflex testing paradigm.  Other systems utilize different software for each paradigm which has two drawbacks: One—you will spend more money, and two—you have no flexibility in designing your own paradigms, and instead are limited to the paradigms offered by the manufacturer.

Be assured all trials are executed without missing any trials using SR-LAB’s concept of a Session containing Trials (discrete tests). Each session will run the animals through all the trials, and save all trial data for later analysis.
Other highlights of SR-LAB™’s software include:

  • Construct Trial Definitions with No Programming Required
    Define your trials to meet your specific needs by selecting commands from a wide range within a predefined menu.  Add, Insert or Delete commands to assure that the Trial definition is correct for your needs.
  • Point and Click to Set Session Level Parameters
    Set your session level parameters, construct trial lists, and set up Inter-Trial Intervals using SR-LAB’s simple point-and-click interface.
    Your session parameters can include number of samples, sample rate, background noise level, and repetitions. You can also define and edit sessions with the click of a mouse by inserting or removing Trials. In addition, edit or rename your sessions any time with ease.
    The ability to automatically randomize durations for Inter Trial Intervals assures that the animal will not discern a pattern that would skew results.
  •  At-a-Glance Test Monitoring
    Monitor your test process at a glance by viewing response waveforms. Unlike other systems, the waveform visual gives you quick assurance that the calculated numbers are accurate.
  • Verify Data with Ease Using the SR-LAB Analysis Software
    Verify all of your startle response data with the SR-LAB Analysis Software. For each response, you can review the complete waveform to verify your numeric data.  Scoring parameters you can set include Start Analysis, Analysis Range, Baseline and Response Window.  The SR-LAB Analysis Software also assures your calculated values are correct by allowing you to see, export, and use your raw data values.
  • Eliminate Concerns about Inaccurate Readings
    SR-LAB’s accelerometer is a key factor in the accuracy the system provides.  The sensor reacts very quickly to sudden force changes—assuring you get an accurate reading for the smallest mouse to the largest rat.  The accuracy provided by the sensor is aided by a complimentary enclosure design, which tightly couples the enclosure with the sensor.  Other systems use Load Cells which do not react as well to sudden force changes and also have limited ranges, requiring you to change load cells as animal weights change.
  • Avoid Stress-Induced Results
    The SR-LAB’s tubular enclosures are designed to allow the animals to turn around freely without constraint—thus avoiding restraint stress that can alter results. At the same time, the tubular design keeps animals over the sensor for reliable results. Your subjects will be monitored using an ultra-stable, hermetically sealed motion sensor that records a wide range of startle responses. Enclosures are designed with clear acrylic for easy cleaning and are available in five different sizes.

System components include:

  • Test cabinet in composite (ABS)
  • Standard animal enclosures in choice of five sizes or slotted animal enclosures for tethered animals in four sizes
  • Power supply
  • Input and Output cables
  • Software and User Manual
  • Software utilities for data analysis

Dimensions

ABS Isolation Cabinet – 15” (W) x 14” (D) x 18” (H)
Control Box – 10.25” (W) x 10.25” (D) x 4 3/8” (H)
Small Animal Enclosure – 3 1⁄2” (L) x 1.1” (ID) Up to ~25g
Small/Medium Animal Enclosure – 5” (L) x 1 1⁄2” (ID) Up to ~50g
Medium Animal Enclosure – 6” (L) x 2 1⁄4” (ID) Up to ~150g
Large Animal Enclosure – 8” (L) x 3 1⁄2” (ID)  Up to ~450g
X-Large Animal Enclosure- 10″ (L) x 5″ (ID)  Up to ~800g
Small/Medium Slotted Animal Enclosure – 5” (L) x 1 1⁄2” (ID)
Medium Slotted Animal Enclosure – 6” (L) x 2 1⁄4” (ID)
Large Slotted Animal Enclosure- 8” (L) x 3 1⁄2” (ID)
X-Large Slotted Animal Enclosure- 10″ (L) x 5″ (ID)

Weight

24 lbs. (Isolation Cabinet), 3 lbs. (Control Box)

Material Composition

Isolation Cabinet: ABS plastic, Control Box: Plastic, Animal Enclosure: Acrylic

Maximum # Stations

16 stations per computer

Standard Cable Lengths

12 ft.

Certifications

CE

Stimuli Options

Foot shocks, air puffs, PPI LED Light, High Intensity Light, and user-defined stimuli

Color Options

White

Use the Startle Paradigm You Need without Constraint

If the paradigms you need are not included with SR-LAB’s basic kit, add-on kits are available, requiring no additional software or constraints. Add-on kits offered include:

Potentiated Startle Kit
This kit, used for Fear Potentiated Startle testing, includes a shocker with 8 scrambled outputs, shock grid and cue light.  The scrambled outputs prevent the animal from discerning a shock pattern assuring excellent results.

Pure Tone Kit
The pure tone kit allows the user a full range of frequencies driven by an external function generator and audio amplifier to deliver tones.  You control the frequency and duration of sounds via the SR-LAB software.  This approach eliminates any sound clicks present in other systems.  The external isodynamic tweeter speaker that is mounted in the top of the SR-LAB cabinet can handle up to 50 KHz.  The tone is generated by applying an analog voltage level to the function generator which outputs the corresponding sine wave frequency to the audio amplifier for output.  This kit is extremely useful for gap detection startle reflex testing.

Tactile Kit
The Tactile Kit provides an air puff stimulus, which is generally used as a kinder, gentler alternative to shock. Includes regulator and air tube delivery system that is controlled by software.

High Intensity Light Kit
The kit supplies an immense amount of bright light within the test station, which brings on anxiety in the animal.  The LED lights give off no heat, which can affect the animal. This kit is used for anxiety potentiated startle testing.

Standardization Unit Sets a Standard Baseline Response
The baseline response of each of your test stations will be set to the same level prior to testing using the Standardization Unit, which attaches to the top of the animal enclosure and places a repeating fixed force on the sensor.  Adjust the response level to the guideline numbers in the user’s manual by turning the Response Adjust dial on the side of the test station.  After setting one test station, all you need to do is move the Standardization Unit to the next station and repeat.  This assures that results data from multiple tests stations can be compared and your resulting analysis is reliable.