Activity wheels can be used in neuroscience to assess the activity of the circadian system

Circadian rhythms are important biological processes that allow the adaptation of physiological systems to cyclic environmental changes

Gene expression, hormone levels, and many behaviors are all known to be regulated in a circadian pattern

Although these rhythms are usually robust, there are a number of genetic, pathological, and pharmacological factors that can affect them

The physiological consequences of these instabilities can potentially disturb many bodily functions and processes

A number of neurological, neurosensory, and neurobehavioral disorders have associated circadian rhythm disturbances (e.g. Roybal et al, 2007)

The apparatus used for this test is a cage with running wheels, equipped with a system to monitor their rotation

They are connected to software to record wheel running activity, allowing them to assess the animal’s activity

Animals must be single housed in a test cage to allow the assessment of their activity on the wheel

KF Technology offers activity wheels with home cages

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