Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-15-2007
Abstract
Many experiments performed in somatosensory research rely upon measuring or estimating the force at which an animal lifts its paw in response to a punctate mechanical stimulus. While mechanical stimulators are now available, the vast majority of methods utilize a series of nylon monofilaments (modern renditions of “von Frey hairs” i.e., Wynnes Symmes filaments, Stoelting Corp), each of which produces a characteristic force (Bove et al 2003). The use of these devices is subject to limitations of the accuracy of the devices, as well as experimenter error and bias (Bove 2006; Bove et al 2003; Fruhstorfer et al 2001). These potential measurement errors make the tests less sensitive, making false negative results more likely. Here we describe studies of nociception in rats, done using a mechanical stimulator that delivers controlled, accurate forces and is not susceptible to operator bias.
Recommended Citation
Grigg, Peter; Robichaud, D R.; and Bove, Geoffrey M., "A Feedback-Controlled Dynamic Linear Actuator To Test Foot Withdrawal Thresholds In Rat" (2007). Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications. 12.
https://dune.une.edu/biomed_facpubs/12
Comments
© 2007. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Published version of this manuscript: Grigg P, Robichaud DR, and Bove GM. A Feedback-Controlled Dynamic Linear Actuator to Test Foot Withdrawal Thresholds in Rat. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 163, 44-51, 2007. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.02.007