Low-cost automatic activity data recording system

Abstract

We describe a low-cost, high quality device capable of monitoring indirect activity by detecting touch-release events on a conducting surface, i.e., the animal's cage cover. In addition to the detecting sensor itself, the system includes an IBM PC interface for prompt data storage. The hardware/software design, while serving for other purposes, is used to record the circadian activity rhythm pattern of rats with time in an automated computerized fashion using minimal cost computer equipment (IBM PC XT). Once the sensor detects a touchrelease action of the rat in the upper portion of the cage, the interface sends a command to the PC which records the time (hours-minutesseconds) when the activity occurred. As a result, the computer builds up several files (one per detector/sensor) containing a time list of all recorded events. Data can be visualized in terms of actograms, indicating the number of detections per hour, and analyzed by mathematical tools such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or cosinor. In order to demonstrate method validation, an experiment was conducted on 8 Wistar rats under 12/12-h light/dark cycle conditions (lights on at 7:00 a.m.). Results show a biological validation of the method since it detected the presence of circadian activity rhythm patterns in the behavior of the rats.

Validation of a microwave radar system for the monitoring of locomotor activity in mice

“…Various types of automatic systems to measure the locomotor activity of rodents can be found in the literature: the most common ones are activity wheels [ 1 ], capacity condensers [ 2 ], Doppler effect systems [ 3 ], stabilimeters [ 4 ], ultrasound recorders [ 5 ], touchplate recorders [ 6 , 7 ], infrared recorders [ 8 ], video-tracking systems [ 9 ] and telemetry systems [ 10 ]. Critical evaluation of the monitoring systems shows that they must fulfil the following criteria: 1) the behaviour to be recorded must be clearly defined; 2) the animal's activity must not be affected by the structure of the monitoring apparatus; 3) the sensitivity of the apparatus must be uniform in space; 4) the recording technique must not be intrusive; 5) the monitoring must be continuous and automatic; 6) the output must be non-stop and easy to analyse, preferably with a computer; 7) the apparatus must have a simple calibration method so that its sensitivity is replicable and stable over time; and 8) the apparatus must be validated by comparison of its output with the same activity recorded in another way, preferably by manual recording of the observations.…”

Daily corticosterone rhythm modulates pineal function through NFκB-related gene transcriptional program

“…Daily rhythmic pattern of the animals was determined according to the daily water intake (activity) 34 , urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), and plasma level of corticosterone and melatonin at light/dark transition and ZT18, respectively (Fig. 1).…”

The Skinner Box Evolving to Detect Movement and Vocalization

“…Capacitance is changed when an animal passes between an antenna and a contact plate. Several studies used this antenna effect to detect animal locomotion and position using a series of metal plates (Clarke, Smith, & Justesen, 1992;Moraes, Ferrarezi, Mont' Alverne, & Garcia-Cairasco, 1997;Tarpy & Murcek, 1984). Moraes et al (1997) measured locomotor activity of rats throughout a 6-day period using this detection system, which also could detect their circadian rhythms.…”

“…Several studies used this antenna effect to detect animal locomotion and position using a series of metal plates (Clarke, Smith, & Justesen, 1992;Moraes, Ferrarezi, Mont' Alverne, & Garcia-Cairasco, 1997;Tarpy & Murcek, 1984). Moraes et al (1997) measured locomotor activity of rats throughout a 6-day period using this detection system, which also could detect their circadian rhythms. One potential limitation of the system was noted by Clarke et al (1992): short-circuiting occurred from urine and fecal contamination if the gap between the plates is not large enough.…”