Lafayette Instrument

The study highlighted that touchscreen testing can sensitively measure #cognition in animals, offering higher throughput, lower stress, and more relevance to human cognitive assessments. It was a true game-changer for preclinical research! #TranslationalResearch #Neuroscience

Despite severe motor deficit, the mice learned the initial discrimination task, but they struggled with reversal learning, a key cognitive measure. This showed specific cognitive deficits similar to traditional water-based tests but with fewer physical demands. #MotorImpairment

At the time, the #neuroscience field faced a significant challenge: assessing cognition in neurodegenerative disease models with motor impairments. Using R6/2 mice, a model of #HuntingtonsDisease, this research pioneered a solution using touchscreen technology. #Cognition

Bussey Tasks

#ThrowbackThursday This week, we’re revisiting a groundbreaking moment in translational #neuroscience, thanks to a pivotal paper by Morton et al. (2006) that set the stage for touchscreen cognitive testing in animals. #TBT #ResearchLegacy

Read the paper
doi.org/10.1038/nmet...

Small Switchmat Vinyl, heat-sealed mats have a 50-foot cable (bare wire termination). Mats require 5 pounds nominal pressure for activation. When paired with the Economy Clock Counter, Model 54060A, this switch mat i...

With a reliability score of 0.91–0.97, the SCP test is revolutionizing how we assess therapies targeting muscle power in older adults. #HealthInnovation #LafayetteInstrument #Aging

Learn more about how our Switchmats can help researchers:
lafayetteevaluation.com/products/sma...

The Stair Climb Power Test as an Efficacy Outcome in Randomized Trials of Function Promoting Therapies in Older Men Standardization of performance-based physical function measures that are reliable and responsive to intervention is necessary for efficacy trials of function promoting anabolic therapies (FPTs). Herei...

SCP measures leg muscle power, which is closely linked to strength & independence. A 2019 study used our Switchmats to track ascent time during SCP, ensuring reliable results with just 5 lbs of pressure to trigger the timer. #ResearchTools #Sarcopenia

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

How can we best evaluate therapies that boost muscle strength and independence in aging populations? Traditional tests like gait speed have limitations, but the Stair Climb Power (SCP) test is showing more meaningful insights! #PhysicalFunction #Sarcopenia #Health

🚨 Day 1 at #BCVS25 is off to a strong start!
We're excited to welcome Andrew Klein, our new Life Science Manager, making his debut at the Aurora Scientific booth. Come by Booth 22 and see what's new in muscle physiology innovation! 💪🫀 #CardioScience #AuroraScientific

New publication review: "A Change of Heart: Novel Cardiac Findings"

Get ready for #BCVS25 with our latest review, "A Change of Heart: Novel Cardiac Findings." Covering a new PAD model test, a genetic cardiomyopathy drug, and insights on passive stiffness. Don’t miss a beat! #CardiovascularScience 🫀

aurorascientific.com/a-change-of-...

Carrying Pouch for Lafayette Polygraph Systems

Protect your Polygraph System with the LX-POUCH Protective Pouch. This durable pouch is secure, designed for easy transport and perfect for fieldwork or storage. Supports LX6, LX5000, and Paragon Series systems. #Polygraph #LafayetteInstrument

Get yours: lafayettepolygraph.com/products/pol...

We're at Big 10 Neuroscience in University Park!

We're excited to attend the 2025 #Big10Neuroscience Symposium at Penn State (July 21-22)! 🧠 This event highlights cutting-edge research from Big Ten institutes in a collaborative space for researchers at all stages. Stop by our booth next week to connect! ✨

#Neuroscience

A recent study by the @cardiaccampbell.bsky.social‬ group investigated the mechanical, biochemical, and histological changes in ATTR amyloidosis patients, revealing that fibrosis, not just amyloid deposits, is a key driver of impaired heart function.

physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/...

Why it Matters
Individuals with visual impairments often face barriers to exercise. This study shows aquatic therapy can be a safe, effective, and inclusive way to build strength, mobility, and independence. #PhysicalTherapy #WomensHealth #AquaticTherapy

Lafayette Hand-Held Dynamometer The newest Lafayette Hand-Held Dynamometer combines all of the features of the previous model with the addition of an algometer attachment, advanced menus to store testing setups, increased storage, a...

In an 8-week study, blind women did water-based workouts 3x/week. Tools like EMG and the hand-held dynamometer (HHD) show
- Higher muscle activation
- Faster reflexes
- Stronger tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, & biceps femoris

#LafayetteInstrument HHD: lafayetteevaluation.com/products/011...

Study details

Can water-based exercise improve strength & mobility in people with visual impairments? A 2025 study says yes, and the results are empowering. #AdaptiveExercise #Inclusion

Read the paper by Salari, et al. (2025): journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

Aurora Scientific is returning for our 3rd year at #BCVS2025! If you’re attending in Baltimore, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello to Katherine and our new Life Science Sales Manager Andrew Klein. 👋

#Cardiovascular #Science #Networking #ResearchInnovation

It's great to have Kari at TALEPI. Thank you to everyone who took part in our LXEdge training yesterday. Be sure to stop by our booth - we have a lot of news to share!

This study shows integrating touchscreens with optogenetic manipulation, fiber photometry, and micro-endoscopy will open new frontiers in neural circuit exploration. 🧠#Neuroscience #BehavioralScience #Optogenetics #Neuroimaging #Microendoscopy #TouchscreenAssessment

Campden Bussey-Saksida Touchscreen Chambers

Touchscreen-based assessments are transforming our understanding of brain regulation in complex behaviors. Piantadosi et al. (2025) published a guide about experimental design and essential hardware modifications for specialized research.

Check it out:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

With designed tasks that map directly onto human cognitive tests, this approach enhances cross-species consistency, boosting the reliability of translational research. #CognitiveTesting #Neuroscience

Explore the potential for multi-species research: lafayettelifesciences.com

The leading-edge Bussey-Saksida Chamber features:
🔹 Non-reflective trapezoid walls to reduce distractions
🔹 On-chamber interface connects up to 20 chambers to a single workstation
🔹 Precise millisecond timing
🔹 Opto-isolated TTL seamlessly integrates with third-party systems

Bussey-Saksida Touchscreen chamber diagram

Originally developed at Cambridge, Human CANTAB tests are language-free cognitive tasks that were later adapted for primate studies. Professors Tim Bussey & Lisa Saksida adapted them further for rodents, culminating in the innovative Bussey-Saksida touchscreen chamber system.

Herwig et al. explore how diabetes mellitus (DM) worsens myocardial inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) - providing a potential bridge to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). #AuroraScientific #1600A

doi.org/10.1186/s129...

Kari is going to TALEPI!

Kari is heading to the #TALEPI2025 Conference in Waco, TX. As strong supporters of professional development and investigative excellence, we look forward to connecting and learning alongside experts in the field. See you next week in Waco! #Polygraph #Investigations

History of Aurora Scientific

#ThrowbackThursday to 1982 when hair was big, music was loud, and Dr. David James founded S+J Engineering at the University of Toronto. What started as a small consulting firm would evolve into today's Aurora Scientific. #TBT #AuroraScientific

Did you know about the Clegg Impact Soil Tester

Did you know the science behind our Clegg Impact Soil Tester? See the ingenuity and simplicity that makes it the go-to tool for professionals on the field and on the road! #SurfaceTesting #CleggImpactTester #SoilCompaction #FieldTools #SportsTurfScience

lafayetteclegg.com

We are proud that motor performance was tracked using Lafayette Instrument products:
- Motor Skill Sequence (MOSS) Activity Wheels
- Scurry Activity Monitoring System

Explore Scurry Activity Monitoring
lafayettelifesciences.com/listing/scur...

#MSResearch #Neurodegeneration #Activity

In vitro, nalfurafine boosted oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation and increased myelination on nanofibers—a key step toward functional recovery. #MSResearch

Treatment Effects
- Increased myelin integrity
- Better motor coordination
- Improved complex wheel running

Nalfurafine promotes myelination in vitro and facilitates recovery from cuprizone + rapamycin‐induced demyelination in mice Nalfurafine increased oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) differentiation and nanofibers myelination in OPC cultures. In mice, nalfurafine facilitated recovery from time-dependent cuprizone + rapa...

A new study explored nalfurafine, a well-tolerated kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist, in MS models. The goal? Promote remyelination by targeting KOR. #Remyelination #TranslationalResearch

📄 Read the study
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Lafayette Instrument Misstep Wheel with Filter Lid

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects 2.8M+ people globally causing motor/sensory/cognitive impairments. At this time, there's still no approved treatment that restores lost myelin. #MultipleSclerosis #Neuroscience

But that may be changing...