The StartFear Combined system is a polyvalent system for conducting both fear conditioning and startle reflex experiments in one same enclosure, regardless if the animal is a rat or a mouse (from 15gr to 500 gr).

The StartFear system allows recording and analysis of the signal generated by the animal movement through a high sensitivity weight transducer system.

The analogical signal is transmitted to the FREEZING and STARTLE software modules through the load cell unit for recording purposes and posterior analysis in terms of activity/immobility (FREEZING) or startle response characterization (STARTLE).

An aditional interface associated with corresponding hardware allows controlling the stimuli (light, sounds, shock, air puff) from the STARTLE and FREEZING software modules. The StartFear cage is made with black methacrylate walls and a transparent front door. In fear conditioning experiment, the walls, cover and floor can be of different materials or colors. Moreover, a transparent cylinder can be placed into the experimental chamber in order to modify the contextual spatial perception of the subject during the test phase.

Citations
Toledo-Rodriguez M and Sandi C (2007) Stress before Puberty Exerts a Sex- and Age-Related Impact on Auditory and Contextual Fear Conditioning in the Rat. Neural. Plast. In Press (rat, Switzerland)
Markram K et al. (2007) Abnormal Fear Conditioning and Amygdala Processing in an Animal Model of Autism. Neuropsychopharmacol. In Press (rat, Switzerland)