Automated system for acquisition and reduction of startle response data

Abstract

A system specifically designed for the acquisition and reduction of startle data is described. It is able to (1) sample startle responses from 5 animals simultaneously during a specific time band after the eliciting stimulus; (2) convert the analogue startle amplitudes into 2-digit numbers; (3) print the digital results of each startle in each animal; (4) add up the startle amplitudes for each rat over a preset number of stimuli and print the totals; (5) print the interstimulus interval and (6) code for up to six diferent types of trials. A non-technical description and complete wiring diagrams are provided.