FreezeFrame
FreezeFrame 5: Video System for Fear Conditioning – Tail Suspension – Porsolt Swim Test
- FreezeFrame now supports fear conditioning in optogenetic experiments
- FreezeFrame now ships together with LimeLight at no extra cost. LimeLight is our general-purpose tracking program for Open Field, Plus Maze, Radial Arm Maze and Novel Object Recognition and WaterMaze. Together FreezeFrame and LightLight provide automated video tracking for a complete range of rodent behavioral experiments.
- Complete systems available, including software, cameras, control interface, cages, isolation cubicles, shockers, audio amplifiers and cue and house lights.
FreezeFrame, the first video-based system for fear conditioning, has become the standard in its field. It combines the sensitivity of the human observer with the objectivity and high throughput of automation. While infrared beams can detect gross movements of an animal from one part of the cage to another, FreezeFrame can detect the minute movements of grooming, sniffing, turning and rearing. And FreezeFrame monitors the animal at up to 15 times per second, not once every 5 seconds, for far more objective and reproducible results. FreezeFrame can also collect and process data for learned helplessness experiments, including Tail Suspension and the Porsolt Forced Swim Test.
Not a tracking system
. A proprietary motion detection algorithm filters out shadows, light flicker and camera noise, and detects movements as small as 1 mm.
Superior low-light performance.
Fully validated. Greater than 90% concordance between FreezeFrame and trained human observers.
Multiple stimulus protocols can be stored and called up instantly for training and testing phases of the experiments.
New: FreezeFrame now supports pulsing stimuli at frequencies of up to 500 pulses per second and pulse durations as short as 1 ms.
New: FreezeFrame can now generate frequency-sweep sound stimuli. Start and stop frequency, and duration are all user selectable.
Up to 8 individually controlled outputs. For each output, a +5V signal is available for controlling TTL-compatible devices and a +24V (400 mA) output can be used for controlling lights and other high-current devices.
Store video images for later review. Export QuickTime and AVI movies for presentation.
Batch export data and analyses directly to an open Excel spreadsheet. Analyze % freezing, number of bouts, bout duration and intervals for specified periods.
Sounds (white noise or pure tone) are delivered through the computer’s sound card. Multiple sounds of different amplitude, frequency and quality (tone/noise or continuous/pulsing) can be delivered at different times during single trial. The shocker-scrambler is controlled directly from the computer, along with additional stimuli such as lights or external sound generators.
