The establishment of a software program for controlling a behavioural experiment is always a complex task. Panlab proposes PACKWIN, whose user-friendliness and versatility offer a powerful tool to develop a wide range of experiments in different types of behaviour chambers.

PACKWIN typically controls the Panlab chamber for Operant and Non-Operant Conditioning (Startle Reflex / Fear Conditioning), Self-Administration and procedures using the Nine-Hole box, but it can also monitor any type of standard input/output operant chambers.

This manual contains material for the experimenter who wishes to use PACKWIN for design of behavioural tests, their measurement, and analysis.

We recommend the user to carefully read the whole manual before beginning an experiment to avoid any hardware damage and software malfunctioning due to any possible misuse of the system.

As required in the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) directives and instruction, PACKWIN has been built in order to obtain traceable data: i.e. each session recorded can be linked to the corresponding experimental data (date, experimenter, animal data, protocol used, etc.).

At any moment, the user can request support of the Panlab Scientific Department for any personalized help for the configuration and the use of the PACKWIN software.