Hi Luka Gantar ,

In the NOR test in our lab we use a bottle stopper for this. We do not quantify the interactions of the whiskers in particular, only the overall interaction with the object.

Hope this helps!

Best!

Hi Luka,

I suggest you contact Mitra Hartmann at Northwestern School of Engineering. She specializes in rat whisker interactions with objects and their representations in the brain.

Hope this helps.

Peter

Hi Luka Gantar

have you heard about the whisker-dependent texture novel object recognition test (tNORT)?

This is a test that evaluates the ability of a mouse to discriminate two objects basing solely on texture and whisker interactions.

I used it with my mice with satisfactory results. As textured objects, I used sandpaper wrapped cylinder.

Here is the reference:

Article Novel, whisker-dependent texture discrimination task for mice

You can think to modify this protocol with one object only, according to your needs.

Additionally, if you are planning to evaluate behavioural responses to whisker stimulation you can think about the whisker nuisance test!

Here is a reference:

Article Whisker Nuisance Test: A Valuable Tool to Assess Tactile Hyp...

Hope this helps,

Luigi.