Rodent Behavioral Testing
Determine your compound’s efficacy with a battery of conventional, customized, and fully automated rodent behavioural testing paradigms
InnoSer conducts its rodent behavioral testing studies within a cutting-edge animal facility designed with meticulously separated rooms. These rooms are outfitted with specialized behavioral setups tailored for both traditional and automated screenings. This strategic setup, combined with our rigorously standardized operating procedures, guarantees the utmost level of reproducibility in our research endeavors. This approach enables us to maintain consistency and reliability in our findings, fostering confidence in the outcomes of our studies.
Rodent Behavioral Testing Options
Gain relevant insights into gene function using validated in vivo models. We offer a selection of genetic and induced mouse models to screen for novel drug candidates.
Cognitive Tests
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CognitionWall™ Discrimination Learning
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CognitionWall™ Reversal Learning (Cognitive Flexibility)
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Barnes Maze
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Contextual Fear Conditioning
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8-arm Radial Maze
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Novel Object Recognition
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5 Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5CSRTT)
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Self–Paced 5 Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5CSRTT)
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Avoidance Learning
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Morris Water Maze
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Nesting Test
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T-maze Spontaneous Alternation
Automated Tests
Anxiety/Activity Tests
Sensorimotor Tests
Social Behavior Tests
Additional Readouts & Analyses:
- Full suite of histopathology services; Immunohistochemistry of brain and nerve tissues (IHC)
- Electrophysiology (sciatic nerve conduction velocity [NCV] and compound muscle action potential [CMAP])
- EEG analyses
- Bioanalyses in various biological matrices
- Flow Cytometry
- ELISA, Ultra-Sensitive ELISA for CSF/plasma biomarkers
- Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)
- Immunoblotting
Gain relevant insights into gene function using validated in vivo models. We offer a selection of genetic and induced mouse models to screen for novel drug candidates.
Behavioral testing
More background into how we perform behavioural testing at InnoSer
The study of human neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders in mouse models plays an indispensable role in understanding fundamental disease mechanisms. Mouse models of human neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, but also neurodevelopmental disorders like STXBP1 epileptic encephalopathy, are used in preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic compounds.
To evaluate a therapeutic compound’s efficacy against such indications, standardized, in-depth and well-controlled behavioural rodent studies are needed. While such behavioural tests are indispensable, they also represent one of the most challenging experimental set-ups. Inconsistent results reported among different laboratories suggest that many variables need to be considered, to prevent irreproducible results and decrease unnecessary labour where possible.
InnoSer therefore works with highly standardized, reproducible and robust conventional behavioural assays. For each standardized behavioural assay, scientists at InnoSer have performed in-depth phenotypic analysis for each rodent model of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. This data serves as benchmark for many of the behavioural phenotypes that can be observed and is accessible to users of our cloud-based database AHCODATM.
To reduce the potential interference of animal handling before and during the behavioural assay, scientists at InnoSer work with multiple conventional and proprietary self-developed automated behavioural assays. Automated home-cages collect a wealth of longitudinal behavioural phenotyping data in a highly standardized manner, without the need for human intervention. Automated home-cages have additional advantages, relating to both efficiency of the experiment, but also the influence on rodent’s behaviour.
Determining the efficacy profile through behavioural readouts
Determining the efficacy of a candidate drug typically requires a combination of functional behavioural readouts (i.e., motor function, cognitive function and assessment of anxiety or social behaviour) combined with biological readouts (i.e., organ collection, blood and/or CSF collection followed up with histopathology and bioanalyses).
Behavioural testing provides crucial insights into the underlying disease mechanisms, as well as readouts that can be used for preclinical efficacy studies. This allows drug developers to determine the efficacy, safety as well as potential adverse effects of such compounds before progressing to clinical trials.
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AAALAC Accreditation
InnoSer has earned the AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC International is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. Our accreditation is valid for three years, incl. 2023. Read more about the AAALAC accreditation programme here.
Animal Welfare
The 3Rs impact everything from policy and regulatory change to the development and uptake of new technologies and approaches. This is why Innoser has ongoing commitment and monitoring of these processes. The steps we practice maximize our ability to replace, reduce and refine animal involvement and facilitate our commitment to these principles when it comes to research and drug development.
Related Resources
Facility Management
Mouse Models Overview
Neurology Platform Overview
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