Acoustic Startle Reflex

Features

• Ability to run up to eight test stations on a single computer.
• Up to 120 dB startle tone or noise, and 100 dB background white noise.
• Flexible stimulus presentation—auditory, visual, aversive stimulation, or any auxiliary device controllable by 28 V DC.
• Complete set of all pertinent and peripheral data
  can be viewed graphically and is readily available in a ASCII text format.
• Overlay response data graphics option to view
  trial-by-trial differences.
• Connects with fewer cables due to the redesigned connection panel, programmable audio generator, and audio amplifiers.
• Reduces start up costs due to the one audio amplifier per chamber design and makes adding additional chambers straightforward.

The startle reflex system allows investigators to set-up programs for performing both prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), and fear-potentiated startle (FPS) experiments, referred to as “prepulse startle” and “potentiated startle” respectively.

MED-ASR-PRO1
Pre-Pulse Inhibition Starter Package

MED-ASR-PRO1-ADD
Pre-Pulse Inhibition Add-on Package

The pro series startle starter package includes:

• Cubicle
• Stimulus connection panel with platform table and speaker attenuator
• Transducer and amplifier
• Sound card
• PCI network control
• Interface cabinet that supports seven additional stations
• Two speakers (background noise speaker and stimulus speaker)
  
• Cabling
  
• Animal holder of your choice
  
• Sound pressure level measurement package
  
• Software included: startle reflex, PPI, and FPS
  

Additional packages include:

• Sound attenuating cubicle
• Stimulus connection panel with platform table and speaker attenuator
• Transducer and amplifier
• Sound card
• Animal holder of your choice

ANL-929A-PC
USB Sound Pressure Level Measurement Package

OS Compatibility/Computer Requirements
Windows® 98, 2000, or XP

This calibration package offers a level of stimulus verification and calibration unavailable with sound level meters or other startle reflex systems. The package consists of a microphone, microphone amplifier, analog-to-digital converter, USB interface, and sound pressure level software. The software display provides detailed measurements of either noise or pure tone signals. To replicate this package with traditional sound level measurement equipment would cost several thousand dollars. Med Associates has made considerable research and development investments to make this product available to researchers.

ENV-264A
Animal Holder

Grid rod construction with clear top and front loading door. Suitable for animals weighing 250 to 500 grams.

ENV-264B
Animal Holder

Grid rod construction with clear top and front loading door. Suitable for animals weighing 125 to 250 grams.

ENV-264C
Animal Holder

Grid rod construction with clear top and front loading door. Suitable for animals weighing up to 50 grams.

Round Acrylic Animal Holders

ENV-262B
Animal Holder

Round acrylic construction with a 3.0" (7.6 cm) ID; suitable for animals weighing 250 to 500 grams.

ENV-262C
Animal Holder

Round acrylic construction with a 3.5" (8.9 cm) ID; suitable for animals weighing 400 to 700 grams.

ENV-263B
Animal Holder

Round acrylic construction with a 1.75" (4.4 cm) ID; suitable for animals weighing 50 to 125 grams.

ENV-263A
Animal Holder

Round acrylic construction with a 1.25" (3.2 cm) ID; suitable for animals weighing up to 50 grams.

MED-ASR-FPS
Fear-Potentiated Startle Starter Package

MED-ASR-FPSA
Fear-Potentiated Startle Add-on Package

The fear-potentiated startle system includes:

• Standalone aversive stimulus generator
• Grid floor harness of your choice
• Stimulus light with fader control
• Aversive stimulus current test package
  (see package components below)

ENV-414S-SR
Stand Alone Aversive Stimulator/Scrambler for Startle

This self-contained, self-powered unit was designed specifically for potentiated startle. With a cycle rate of 30 Hz, aversive stimulation durations as short as 200 ms ensure stimulation across the entire floor. Output shock current is adjustable in two ranges, 0 to 1 mA or 0 to 5 mA, using a two position ‘Range’ switch and ten-turn potentionmeter (output current adjustment knob).

Specify grid floor and harness at time of order:

ENV-262B-GF
Grid Floor Assembly and Harness for Acrylic Animal Holder ENV-262B

ENV-263B-GF
Grid Floor Assembly and Harness for Acrylic Animal Holder ENV-263B

ENV-262C-GF
Grid Floor Assembly and Harness for Acrylic Animal Holder ENV-262C

ENV-406SR
Grid Harness for ENV-264A and ENV-264B Animal Holders

ENV-406SM-8
Grid Harness for ENV-264C Animal Holders

ENV-420
Aversive Stimulation Current Test Package

OS Compatibility/Computer Requirements:
Windows® 98, 2000, and XP compatible

This test package is available for use with any Med Associates aversive stimulators. The aversive stimulation current test module connects to a USB port on the computer and two clip leads connect to the grid rods. The software supplied with this unit displays the actual current wave form, while the digital panel reads the RMS current corresponding to the aversive stimulator setting. Two ranges are provided to correspond with Med Associates aversive stimulators.

PHM-258
Fluorescent Lamp Controller

The PHM-258 fluorescent lamp controller plugs directly into, and can be controlled by, a standard Med Associates auxiliary port. It may also be operated manually using the front panel switch. The PHM-258 fits well inside a Med Associates rack mount enclosure (SG-6500).

PHM-258L
Rapid Onset Fluorescent Stimulator

The PHM-258L rapid onset fluorescent stimulator features a high intensity light (maximum intensity of 107 lux) and rapid onset (15 microseconds), and contains an eight-watt bulb.

Dimensions:
2.4" H x 13.3” L (6.1 cm x 33.8)

SG-6500
Single Rack Mount Enclosure

Dimensions:
19.5" W x 5.6" H x 15.0" D
(49.5 cm x 14.2 cm x 38.1 cm)

PHM-255B
Startle Stimulus Adapter

Add this novel stimulus adapter and animal restraint developed by Dr. James Willott, University of South Florida, to any Startle Pro system for high throughput studies. A plastic plate attached to the PHM-250B startle platform insures consistent placement of a disposable plastic beverage cup used to hold the test animal. A sturdy plastic frame, attached to the PHM-255A platform table, holds an additional startle speaker directly above the cup. This method has allowed the Mouse Center Mutagenesis and Phenotyping project at Jackson Labs to significantly increase the number of animals tested per day.