A small-animal activity-analysing system for behavioural studies |
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| Authors: | Arnon Cohen Victor H Denenberg |
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| Institution: | (1) Electrical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn., USA;(2) Present address: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba, Israel;(3) Biobehavioral Sciences Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn., USA |
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| Abstract: | Automated recording and data analysis of the activity of small laboratory animals are often required for psychological and other forms of behavioural investigation. This paper describes such a system using an open field of 1·14×1·14 m. Three arrays of infrared-light-emitting diodes and phototransistors are used to locate the animal. Two of the arrays are used to generate an xy grid, while the third one is used to determine whether the animal is rearing. The position of the animal gives rise to both digital and analogue signals; so the equipment can be interfaced directly with a minicomputer, or coupled to an analogue recorder. Several activity parameters, such as the path length (absolute value of the line integral), the time spent at a predetermined area of the open field or the latency to move, are computed and displayed in digital form. |
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| Keywords: | Activity monitoring behaviour open field light-emitting diode |
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