The Small Animal Visual Stimulation Dynamic Tracking System (also Optokinetic Response System) uses four screens for a virtual stimulation space. The OptoTrack system tracks the animal’s head movement relative to visual stimuli in real time and automatically quantifies OMR results.

Detailed Introduction

Instrument Introduction

The OptoTrack Small Animal Visual Detection System (also called Small Animal Optokinetic Response Analysis System) creates a virtual stimulation space with four screens. With the animal standing on a central platform in the chamber, the system tracks the animal’s head movement relative to visual stimuli in real time and automatically quantifies optokinetic response (OMR) results.

Rodents lack a fovea centralis in their retinal anatomical structure, so their ability to fixate on visible targets is quite limited, which easily triggers compensatory eye or head movements. The optomotor response (OMR)—a head movement behavior induced by visual stimuli—can be used to assess the functional status of the animal’s visual system. Additionally, no specialized training is required for experimenters to operate the system, and fully automated data recording and analysis saves significant time and costs.

Application Fields

Research on different visual functions in mice:
- Visual acuity
- Contrast sensitivity
- Spectral sensitivity
- Temporal sensitivity
Characterization and preclinical testing of relevant models:
- Glaucoma
- Aging

Software Functions

Newly designed independent head recognition algorithm, with stable tracking via thermal imaging.
Configurable black-white stripe patterns: square wave and sine wave.
Freely definable stripe rotation directions: clockwise and counterclockwise.
Adjustable stripe spatial frequency.
Definable stripe rotation speed, brightness, contrast, etc.
Support for designing experimental paradigms with multiple patterns, and arranging these patterns in a regular or random order.
Automatic generation of animal optomotor response (OMR) heatmaps and normalized following speed graphs.
Real-time display of the small animal’s head following status graph on the software.
Automatic recording of key data: animal’s forward following time, reverse following time, OMR value, number of valid patterns, etc.

Experimental Site (Setup)

Mirrors installed at the top and bottom.
Adjustable platform (available in 2 colors).
Front door: facilitates mouse handling and equipment cleaning.

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