Behavioral Software

Although some manufacturers may try, it is difficult to compare any other system to MED-PC^® and other software products developed by Med Associates. Having stood the test of time, MedState Notation™ continues to be the choice of more laboratories than any other behavioral control language. The simple fact of the matter is that MedState Notation™ works. It does exactly what is contained in written text just like any other programming language. It is not necessary to review countless tables to determine which options are set under which conditions. MedState Notation™ uses simple commands whose functions are inherently recognizable and easy to learn (e.g., ON, OFF, SHOW, ADD, IF, and SET). Placing these commands into logically ordered text gives the user total flexibility over the control of chamber components, stimuli, and reward mechanisms, as well as data variables and arrays. A well written procedure is a permanent record of the experimental protocol. It can be easily reviewed years later for modification or used as is by other investigators. Many standard procedures have already been written and are described at the end of this section.