Descending Platform

Place the custom-made, metal mesh grid to have an angle of 45 degrees with the floor.

Place a camera above the grid to record the entire procedure. Here we use the Logitech C920 webcam and windows camera software.

Orient the grid to have the starting spot horizontal.

At the end of the platform, place the animal cage to provide a safe target.

Take the mouse out of its cage using a paper tube to avoid stress and gently place the mouse on the starting spot.

Allow the mouse to explore the starting spot for 2-3 minutes.

Gently push the mice towards the tilted part of the grid path.

As soon as the mouse's hindlimbs are crossing the separation between the starting spot and

the tilted spot, leave the mouse alone.

As soon as the mouse reaches the cage, stop the camera and place the cage back into the ventilated rack.

 Clean the platform with 50% ethanol solution to remove stress-related smells.

Using the video, record the time for each mouse to go from:

1- hindlimb cross the starting spot line to 2- hindlimb touch the cage on the bottom.

Using 5 randomly selected frames of the period the mice descend the platform, measure the distance between the hindlimb of the mice, average the result to get usable values.