Testing the ability of rats and mice to recognize a novel object in an otherwise familiar environment is a very common practice to assess object memory. After a familiarization phase, in which the animal becomes acquainted with the objects, their locations, and the testing environment, one object is replaced by an unfamiliar one. In the acquisition phase of the experiment, the time spent exploring the familiar and the novel object is measured. Exploration of the familiar and the novel object to an equal extent can be interpreted as a memory deficit. Exploration of an object is traditionally defined as approaching the object headfirst within a short distance. To be able to measure this parameter, the head position of the animal should be known. EthoVision® XT is perfectly able to identify the nose point of a rat or mouse. Therefore, together with our open field and video and computer equipment, the software enables you to automate the novel object recognition test.

Typical components

• EthoVision XT Base
• Ethovision XT Multiple Body Points Module
• Open field
• Camera
• Computer
• Installation & training
• Service contract

Optional components

• EthoVision XT Multiple Arenas Module
• Ethovision XT GLP Module
• PhenoTyper
• Other services

For more information you can download the leaflet on this solution.