Increasing demand for data security means that new strategies for planning, collecting and storing experimental data from computer-controlled, in vivo test models are needed. In traditional file-based test systems, the experimenter is required to export and keep track of several files from each experiment, and to manage and analyze data in separate programs. Such systems require very strict safety procedures to maintain a reasonable level of data security, especially when the data are stored on a shared network drive with multiple users. Furthermore, most behavioral test models are controlled by very different types of software, such that experimenters often require insight into several different user-interfaces and data sampling procedures.

To improve data security and user friendliness in computer-controlled behavioral test models, the test model ES-Applications, based on a relational database (ES-LabBASE), has been developed. Together, ES-Applications and ES-LabBASE constitute a complete and unique system for running in vivo test models and saving data in a secure shared database, with a distinct security level for each user. This system is a solution to the problem of data housekeeping in a paperless, modern behavioral laboratory, where a number of technicians and researchers routinely use the same test models. Taking advantage of database technology, it is possible to link the data collected to information on system set-up, animals, test protocols, drug treatment, experiment configuration and user comments made during the experiment. All actions and changes are logged for documentation. This makes data safety very high, and ensures that data flow is much easier to track and describe when compared to file-based packages.

During each experiment, data are collected and saved on the local PC hard drive. Subsequently, the PC is connected to a network and the local database is synchronized with a client-server database on that network. User-specified data processing (e.g. group means) and statistical analyses can then be performed by standard SQL-calls to the network database.

The ES-LabBASE has been applied to more than 20 test models used routinely for in vivo pharmacology testing, e.g. active avoidance, ultrasonic vocalization, acoustic startle, locomotor activity, black and white box test and food consumption. All these applications have a common user interface and similar rules for data flow, maximizing user friendliness and data security.

In summary, the software programs based on the relational database, ES-LabBASE, have a number of advantages over file-based software programs:

• There is a similar user interface for all test models.
• The data flow is very easy to track from protocol to final results.
• All changes are logged.
• No raw data files are kept on shared network drives.
• There are separate security levels for each user.

Paper presented at Measuring Behavior 2002 , 4^th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, 27-30 August 2002, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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