This system enables you to perform automatically controlled behavioral experiments without the disadvantages of an artificial setup such as skinner boxes or running wheels.

Start/Stop zones
You can use the zones also for starting and/or finishing an experiment. Each zone can be defined as a Start/Stop zone.

Or you can use the zones to control external hardware when the animal steps into a zone by using the optional output channels.

For each zone created, the following parameters are gathered:
Velocity, track length, length of stay, number of entries, number of head bobs, number of head stretches
 
NEW FEATURE Covered area parameter
Besides special test specific plug-in developements for customers, BIOBSERVE improves the Viewers`s standard features according to customers' needs constantly.
Watch this movie to see the recently added Coverede Area parameter.

Watch this movie to see how it works.

The software also supports high definition (HD) cameras. If you want to observe a small animal in a large arena, HD cameras are a great option.

Of course you can use USB cameras, too.

These different source signals can be used with the Viewer software:
FireWire camera (live or tape), USB camera, analog camera, VCR, digital video file.

Watch this movie and see how easy and fast the reanalysis of a four arena setup can be.
The movie shows how a result file is opened, all existing zones are deleted, some new zones are defined and some activity parameters are changed. After that, the results are reanalyzed based on the new configuration and the new results appear after a few seconds.

The following list shows what kind of phenotypes can be detected with the Viewer system based on the Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) project that provides integrated access to data on the genetics, genomics, and biology of the laboratory mouse.

Take a look at the Mammalian Phenotype Browser for more information

Name of the test (MP term)		MP ID
abnormal active avoidance behavior		2798
abnormal conditioned taste aversion behavior		2805
abnormal contextual conditioning [1]		1469
abnormal cued conditioning behavior [2]		1454
abnormal food preference		1432
abnormal long-term recognition memory		2801
abnormal olfactory -discrimination memory		1460
abnormal operant conditional behavior [3]		2803
abnormal passive avoidance behavior [4]		2799
abnormal short-term recognition memory		2800
bradykinesia [5]		5156
head bobbing [6]		1410
head shaking [7]		2730
head tossing [8]		5307
increased exploration in new environment		1415
increased exploration in new environment		1415
negative geotaxis[9]		5356
reduced exploration in new environment		1417
reduced exploration in new environment		1417
retropulsion [10]		5357
thigmotaxis [11]		2797
walking backwards		5420
decreased coping response		3064
increased coping response		3063
bi-directional circling		1395
bradykinesia [12]		5156
hyperactivity elicited by ethanol administration		2629
hypoactivity [13]		1402
increased vertical activity		2574
lethargy [14]		5202
no spontaneous movement		1404
reduced vertical activity		2757
unidirectional circling		1396
decreased anxiety		1364
increased anxiety		1363
Polyphagia [15]		1433

[1] defect in the ability of an animal to learn and remember an association between an an aversive experience (the unconditioned stimulus (US), ususally a shock) and a neutral stimulus (the conditioned stimulus (CS), or the environmental context in this case) [2] defect in the ability of an animal to learn and remember an association between an an aversive experience (the unconditioned stimulus (US), ususally a shock) and a neutral stimulus (the conditioned stimulus (CS), usually an auditory cue or light) [3] defects in the operant conditioning system refers to abnormalities in scheduled controlled behavior; behavioral assessment occurs in an automated chamber where responses are reinforced with food [4] defects in the ability of an animal to enter an hostile environment where it receives a unpleasant or punishing stimuli applied previously with prolonged latency [5] decreased spontaneity and movement [6] appears compulsive [7] appears compulsive [8] compulsive flailing of the head in multiple directions [9] mice, when placed on a downward on a slanting grid, walk down without turning around, whereas wild type mice will always turn around and walk upward [10] when placed in a new environment, mice will walk backwards and then may walk forwards, whereas wild type mice will immediately walk forward, or freeze momentarily and then walk forward [11] preference of a mouse for the side walls of a cage or box; usually an indicator of increased anxiety response [12] decreased spontaneity and movement [13] reduced movement from one place to another [14] mild impairment of consciousness resulting in reduced alertness and awareness; ultimately due to generalized brain dysfunction [15] eating to excess