Disk-over-water method

Disk-over-water method

The disk-over-water method is a technique for causing sleep deprivation in laboratory animals.

The subject—for example, a rat[1] or pigeon[2]—is placed on a disk. When the subject shows signs of falling asleep, the disk begins to slowly rotate, at a few revolutions per minute. The subject must walk to keep pace with the disk, or it will be carried into a pool of water.[3]

References

  1. ^ Rechtschaffen, A.; Bergmann, B.M. (1995), "Sleep deprivation in the rat by the disk-over-water method", Behavioural Brain Research 69 (1–2): 55–63, doi:10.1016/0166-4328(95)00020-T, PMID 7546318, http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/016643289500020T 
  2. ^ Newman, S.M.; Paletz, E.M.; Rattenborg, N.C.; Obermeyer, W.H.; Benca, R.M. (2008), "Sleep deprivation in the pigeon using the Disk-Over-Water method", Physiology & Behavior 93 (1–2): 50–58, doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.07.012, PMID 17765274, http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031938407002934 
  3. ^ Kushida, Clete Anthony (2004), Sleep Deprivation: Basic Science, Physiology, and Behavior, Informa Health Care, p. 90, ISBN 0824759494, http://books.google.com/?id=EaGWMXsR5XYC&pg=PA90&lpg=PA90