Simple device for quantifying drug effects on the righting reflex

A simple, inexpensive device is described that allows quantification of the effects of drugs on the righting reflex. This device consists of a modified set of kitchen scales connected to a digital timer. Two moveable Hall effect switches are positioned around the pointer, which registers the weight of the animal on the scales; when the animal is placed on the scales in the supine position, the initiation of a righting reflex causes the pointer to cross one of the switches, stopping the digital timer and providing a measure of righting reflex latency (RRL). We describe an efficient protocol for using this device that provides quantification of drug effects on the RRL, which can then be subjected to analysis using parametric statistics such as analysis of variance.