LE509 Nine-Hole Box Test System for Rodent Cognitive Assessment
| Origin | Spain |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | LE509 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The LE509 Nine-Hole Box Test System is a fully integrated, computer-controlled behavioral assessment platform engineered for quantitative evaluation of visuospatial learning, working memory, attentional set-shifting, and response inhibition in laboratory rats. Based on the validated nine-hole poke test paradigm—rooted in operant conditioning principles—the system employs infrared beam detection within a standardized acrylic chamber to record discrete nose-poke responses with millisecond temporal resolution. The apparatus operates under precise stimulus–response contingency protocols, enabling rigorous discrimination training, reversal learning, and extinction paradigms. Designed in accordance with NIH Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and aligned with OECD Test Guideline 426 (Neurotoxicity Screening), the LE509 supports reproducible, ethologically relevant cognitive phenotyping in preclinical neuroscience, pharmacology, and toxicology studies.
Key Features
- Modular nine-hole operant chamber with individually addressable infrared photobeam sensors per aperture, ensuring zero cross-talk and high spatial fidelity
- Programmable food pellet delivery system (45 mg standard sucrose pellets) with precision solenoid actuation and latency-compensated reinforcement timing
- Dual-phase illumination control: white ambient light for baseline exploration and dim red light for circadian-sensitive assays
- Integrated environmental monitoring: real-time ambient temperature and relative humidity logging (±0.5°C, ±3% RH)
- Rugged, autoclavable acrylic construction compliant with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC) and ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing traceability
- USB 2.0 interface with deterministic latency (<5 ms) and hardware-level event timestamping synchronized to system clock
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The LE509 is validated for use with adult Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rat strains (250–450 g), with adjustable floor grid spacing and removable waste tray for optimized hygiene management. Chamber dimensions (L × W × H: 50 × 30 × 35 cm) conform to NRC Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommendations for rodent operant testing. All firmware and software modules comply with GLP requirements for audit trail integrity, including immutable session logs, user authentication (role-based access control), and electronic signature support per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11. The system meets essential requirements of Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD), with CE marking documentation available upon request.
Software & Data Management
The included PACKWIN software suite provides a graphical experiment builder with drag-and-drop protocol design, supporting up to 16 concurrent behavioral parameters per trial. Raw event streams (poke onset/offset, pellet delivery, illumination state changes) are stored in HDF5 format with embedded metadata (animal ID, protocol version, calibration timestamp). Built-in analysis modules compute standard metrics—including correct response rate (%), perseverative errors, omission rate, median reaction latency (ms), and inter-trial interval distribution—while exporting CSV and MATLAB-compatible .mat files. Audit trails record all parameter modifications, user logins, and data export actions with SHA-256 hashing for forensic integrity. Optional API integration enables bidirectional communication with EthoVision XT or MATLAB Psychtoolbox for hybrid closed-loop paradigms.
Applications
- Preclinical validation of nootropic, anxiolytic, or pro-cognitive compounds in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease (e.g., APP/PS1), schizophrenia (e.g., MAM-E17), or age-related cognitive decline
- Longitudinal assessment of neurodevelopmental deficits following prenatal exposure to environmental toxins or maternal immune activation
- Functional characterization of genetically modified rat lines (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts of Grin2b, Drd2) using standardized cognitive batteries
- Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic correlation studies requiring high-temporal-resolution behavioral endpoints
- Training and certification of animal behavior technicians under AAALAC-accredited institutional programs
FAQ
Is the LE509 compatible with existing Panlab hardware such as the LE801 shuttle box or LE8800 fear conditioning system?
Yes—the LE509 shares the same USB communication protocol and PACKWIN software architecture, enabling seamless integration into multi-assay workflows without additional drivers.
Can the nine-hole configuration be reconfigured for fewer apertures to accommodate specific experimental designs?
No—the LE509 uses a fixed nine-aperture panel; however, software masking allows deactivation of selected holes during protocol definition without hardware modification.
Does the system support automated calibration routines for beam alignment verification?
Yes—PACKWIN includes a diagnostic mode that sequentially activates each IR emitter and validates receiver response amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio against factory-set thresholds.
What level of technical support is provided for protocol development and statistical analysis consultation?
Panlab-certified application specialists offer remote protocol optimization sessions and R/Python script templates for mixed-effects modeling of longitudinal behavioral data.
Are replacement parts such as pellet dispensers or IR sensor arrays available with documented traceability?
All consumables and wear components carry batch-specific certificates of conformance (CoC) and are supplied with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration reports where applicable.
