Disk-over-water method

{{Short description|Sleep deprivation animal test technique}}

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

The subject—for example, a rat{{citation |author1=Rechtschaffen, A. |author2=Bergmann, B.M. |year=1995 |title=Sleep deprivation in the rat by the disk-over-water method |journal=Behavioural Brain Research |volume=69 |issue=1–2 |pages=55–63 |doi=10.1016/0166-4328(95)00020-T |pmid=7546318|s2cid=4042505 }} or pigeon{{citation |author1=Newman, S.M. |author2=Paletz, E.M. |author3=Rattenborg, N.C. |author4=Obermeyer, W.H. |author5=Benca, R.M. |year=2008 |title=Sleep deprivation in the pigeon using the Disk-Over-Water method |journal=Physiology & Behavior |volume=93 |issue=1–2 |pages=50–58 |doi=10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.07.012 |pmid=17765274|s2cid=13105681 }}—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.{{Citation |title=Sleep Deprivation: Basic Science, Physiology, and Behavior |last=Kushida |first=Clete Anthony |year=2004 |publisher=Informa Health Care |isbn=0-8247-5949-4 |page=90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EaGWMXsR5XYC&pg=PA90}}