Shuttle Avoidance Test, also call Active Avoidance/Passive Avoidance Test, is commonly used in neuroscience to assess different forms of fear-based conditioned avoidance learning in rodents. Active Avoidance Test (also called shuttle box test or automatic reflex conditioner), i.e. learning to predict the occurrence of an aversive event, based on the presentation of a specific stimulus, like sound, light and electricity. Passive Avoidance Test requires performing a specific behavior in order to escape or avoid the aversive stimulus, represented by mild foot shock.
Features:
• Applicable for Mice in Shuttle and Passive Avoidance Test.
• Stimuli: Sound, Light, Shock at any combination.
• Independent signal detection control in each box to precise detect the signal in the experiment.
Applications:
• Assessment of conditioned fear and avoidance learning
• Sensitivity to hippocampal and amygdala dysfunction
• Evaluation of (typical) antipsychotic drugs
• Learned helplessness is demonstrated in active avoidance learning when prior exposure to inescapable shocks leads to an emotional/cognitive state (relevant to depression) that impedes subsequent avoidance learning. The triadic design of learned helplessness is programmable with the necessary yoking design.
• One-trial passive avoidance learning for drugs and other interventions affecting memory formation, retrieval, consolidation
Locations: ST108. To be used in CAF, or another approved procedural room with the appropriate settings.
Hourly rate:
PolyU Users (per hour): $24
Users from other UGC-funded Universities / Self-financed local universities / Non-local universities / HKSAR Government (per hour): $50
Other External Users (per hour): $130
To use, please go to the URFMS
Equipment in-charge: Dr. Eva Yu
