Locomotor activity refers to the movement and motion that is required to get from one place to another. Locomotor activities are also inextricably linked to complex human activities including motivation and learning. Locomotor activity is important for approaching or avoiding a stimuli, target or a big-picture goal and locomotor activity tendencies of seeking or avoiding are a key part of the human experience1.
The locomotor activity test is a way to assess spontaneous locomotor activity in mice and rats and is used to establish the baseline level of motor activity2.
What is the Locomotor Activity Test Used For?
The locomotor activity test is used for many studies using a variety of research techniques. Some of the reasons for using a locomotor activity test include:
- To gain a better understanding of the endogenous timing system.
- To observe the impact of pharmacological intake on locomotor activity in skeletal muscle diseases.
- To ascertain whether locomotor activity can act as an index for addictive drugs
- To study the locomotor changes in neuropsychiatric conditions like Schizophrenia.
- To measure how specific areas are involved in locomotor activity, done by creating lesions in certain specific areas.
- To measure how specific genes impact locomotor activity by altering the genetic makeup of test subjects.
- To study pharmacological treatment and administration by closely observing locomotor activity.
- To see how drug administration in early stages of development can impact behavior later on in life.
Our open-field single enclosure is used with the locomotor activity test as it detects how animals respond to environmental modifications. It is easy to use and highly versatile, working in conjunction our video tracking system.
Locomotor Activity Test Equipment from San Diego Instruments
The Open Field Maze is one of the most frequently employed means of measuring behaviors in animal subjects and is used in locomotor activity tests to provide both simple and detailed analysis of general locomotor ability.
The PAS-Open Field from San Diego Instruments offers a strong solution for applications which require qualitative analysis of a subject’s locomotor patterns. It enables the most accurate qualitative analysis of rat or mouse open field, allowing for a reliable and precise locomotor activity test.
The PAS-Open Field employs a 16 x 16 photobeam configuration, providing the ability to use rearing frame as well as floor pokes. Locomotor activity test subjects of any size are accommodated by altering the frame height positioning.
If you would like to find out more about how SDI can help with your locomotor activity test, contact us today for more information.