Rotational behaviour has proved a popular technique for screening the behavioural effects of a wide variety of lesions, drugs, and other experimental manipulations on the brain of rodents. This test is widely carried out in experiments using animal models of Parkinson disease with unilateral lesions in the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system.

Basically, the subject wears an adjustable harness with Velcro connected to the rotation sensor by a flexible tie. Wide ranges of harnesses are available to fit different animal sizes. The subject is then placed into a transparent container (cylindrical or oval) with a lateral support for a vertical stand.

A bi-directional rotation sensor provides a double (right and left turns) output with adjustable regulation of pulses/turns (between 3 and 36 pulses per complete turn). Experiment duration and time intervals of measurement can be set. An external multicounter LE3806 is necessary for data storage; it counts the number of partial and complete left and right turns depending of the adjustments made on the rotation sensors.


The computer interface SeDaCom allows easy exportation of data (through RS 232 serial port) in a format compatible with Excel.

Parameters Measured
• Number of partial and complete left and right turns

Key features
• Cylindrical or oval transparent containers
• Rotation sensor with adjustable TTL output signal
• Configuring experiment duration and time intervals of counting
• Counting the number of partial and complete left and right turns
• Adjustable harness with velcro
• Computer interface included

Components included
• Rotation Sensor and support
• Animal Harness
• Container (either a bowl or a cilinder)
• SeDaCom Software
• Cables, connectors
• Instructions manual
• 1 year warranty

Options
• Double counter (left & right turn)
• Programmable counter with 30 inputs (up to 15 Rota-Meter) and SeDaCom Software