Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology · 2003 · 14 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesNeurobiologyNeuroscienceBehavioral NeuroscienceNeuropharmacologyNeurophysiologyBiopotential MeasurementDopaminergic PharmacologyDopaminergic SignalingNeural Signal AcquisitionNeural Signal ProcessingNeuromodulationDopamine Receptor AgonistsDopaminergic NeurophysiologyFunctional Jaw MovementsJaw Motion TrackingJaw Opening MovementsMagnetoencephalographyMovement SenseVoltage
This study tested a system for monitoring jaw movements in freely moving rats. A Hall-effect transducer was fixed to the skull in order to sense voltage changes induced by variations in the position of a magnet fixed to the mandible. By measuring dopamine receptor-mediated jaw movements, this system produces data comparable to that obtained using a light-sensitive transducer system in anesthetized rats, while also measuring the vertical component of jaw movements in freely moving rats. In combination with conventional visual observation, this system may provide a useful tool for assessing movements of the orofacial region during spontaneous and drug-evoked behavior.