Rat Staircase for Physiological Research Instrumentation

The Rat Staircase is designed for objective assessment of skilled paw reaching and grasping performance in rats. The apparatus provides separate measurements of left and right paw performance and quantifies reaching ability through pellet displacement and retrieval. Manufactured by Atico Export for dependable use in physiological studies, experimental research, laboratory investigations and scientific education.

• Designed to quantify skilled paw-reaching ability in rats
• Provides a simple and efficient method for measuring skilled reaching
• Allows separate measurement of reaching capacity with the left and right paws
• Does not require restraint or restriction of the contralateral limb
• Sensitive to unilateral lesions of the striatum, forebrain dopamine systems and sensorimotor cortex
• Sensitive to focal ischaemia
• Suitable for studying effects of drugs and grafts on basal ganglia and motor systems

• Overall dimensions: 360 mm × 120 mm (14 × 4.75 inches)
• Designed around a rat model weighing 150–250 g
• Larger animals up to 450 g have been tested regularly

Testing Measurements :

• Number of pellets displaced
• Number of pellets retrieved
• Distance of reaching
• Coordinated reach, grasp and retrieval ability
• Separate left-paw and right-paw performance

• Two staircases positioned on either side of a central platform
• Two food pellets placed on each step
• Two platform widths supplied
• Animals can reach down either side of the platform to grasp, lift and retrieve food pellets
• Provides quantifiable measurements of reaching distance and efficiency
• Measures the number of pellets removed and retrieved
• Measures the number of pellets knocked down to lower steps
• Requires coordinated reaching, grasping and retrieval of pellets
• Prevents simple scooping of pellets that could confound reaching measurements
• Provides objective measurements without requiring observer ratings of reaching attempts, success or efficiency
• Stair height, well size and well depth designed to support effective reaching and grasping while minimizing pellet spillage
• Suitable for rats from approximately 150 g to 450 g
• Designed to prevent the animal from turning around once inside the test area