ANY-maze Help > The ANY-maze reference > The Protocol page > The elements of a protocol > Inputs and outputs > Shockers > An introduction to shockers

An introduction to shockers

Introduction

Shockers are usually stand-alone devices, such as the San Diego Instruments shocker, but they are sometimes built into another device, such as the shocker built into the Ugo Basile Fear Conditioning Box. As far as ANY-maze is concerned, it doesn't actually matter which type of shocker you have, as they are controlled in the same way.

An important characteristic of shockers is the fact they can be controlled and adjusted by procedures during a test - for example, you could alter the shock current depending on where the animal is in the apparatus.

Connecting a shocker

How you connect a shocker will depend on the device itself, but they typically simply connect via USB.

As with all inputs and outputs supported by ANY-maze, you must add to the protocol the I/O device the shocker is part of, before you add the shocker output itself. For example, if you wish to use the shocker in the Ugo Basile Fear Conditioning Box, then you will first need to add the FC box as an I/O device and then you will be able to add the shocker output that it contains (the box contains other outputs too, such as a sound output and a 'cue' light).

Using a shocker

When you add a shocker to your protocol, you will be able to specify the duration and intensity (i.e. current) of the shock - but this won't actually cause a shock to be delivered. To do that, you will need to use a procedure, which will determine when in the test a shock should be administered. In fact, a procedure can not only cause a shock to occur, but it can also alter its intensity and/or duration. Thus, for example, you could administer different intensity shocks as the test progresses.

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ANY-maze help topic T0219