Pinnacle’s Automated Sleep Deprivation System (#8229) is a unique solution for sleep deprivation studies of mice and rats. This “gentle handling” system is capable of sleep depriving mice and rats without direct human intervention. The system is sold as either a Stand Alone System or a Feedback System in which EEG/EMG feedback is used to determine the sleep/wake state. A number of sleep deprivation paradigms are supported.
The 8229 SYSTEM mimics gentle handling by rotation of a metal bar positioned above the bedding in a circular cage. The bar rotation disturbs the animal thereby preventing inactivity in a manner similar to gentle handling. Studies have shown this system to be an effective method for long-term sleep fragmentation and total sleep deprivation studies. Both systems allow users to perform yoked controlled experiments in which multiple sleep deprivation systems can be slaved together to operate under a uniform set of experimental parameters. When connected together in software, two or more systems can be user programmed to turn on or off simultaneously. This feature can be used for a yoked controlled animal, which is subject to the same bar rotation as the experimental animal, but is otherwise allowed to sleep normally.
Pinnacle’s Stand Alone Sleep Deprivation system allows users to program the system to turn on or off via scheduling software or a touch-screen LCD screen. Researchers can use Pinnacle’s EEG/EMG & biosensor recording systems or use the system in conjunction with already existing recording systems. The software scheduler can be set on a second-by-second basis allowing for sleep fragmentation studies. For shift work simulation studies, each system can be programmed to turn on or off on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly user-defined schedule. Additionally, schedules can be set and the system can be moved to the recording environment to act as a true stand-alone unit. Users can upgrade to feedback mode at any time.
The biopotential feedback mode automatically controls the gentle handling stimulus via user configured EEG and EMG thresholds (Using Pinnacle’s EEG/EMG recording systems), and can be readily integrated into yoked control protocols. The Feedback System, provides all the functionality of the Stand Alone system. In addition, the system can be programmed to analyze the EEG/EMG data in real time and to wake the animal when sleep is detected. Rotation of the bar ceases once the animal has been awake for a period of time, limiting excessive exercise and stress effects normally associated with constant stimulus applications.
SYSTEM ADVANTAGES:
• Adjustable 5-15 RPM rotating bar, Simulates a light touch
• Changes direction to avoid a constant stimulus
• Base system adaptable for mice & rats
• Accommodates water, food and bedding
• Perform short term, long term, or chronic partial sleep deprivation studies (i.e. shift work)
• Designed to gently restrict sleep without unnecessary exercise or stress
• Automatic feedback and stand alone modes
• Yoked control functionality
• Minimizes resources needed to manually sleep deprive animals