A System for automated video-based assessment of activity and behavior for mice housed in a home-hage environment

Authors

• G Salem
• J Krynitsky
• B Kirkland
• E Lin
• A Chan
• S Anfinrud
• T Pohida
• J Dennis
• G Wu
• A Sowers
• J Mitchell
• V Amaral
• M Bustin
• S Gelman
• D Serven
• M Bowen
• AV Kravitz
• K Brason

Abstract

The System for Continuous Observation of Rodents in Home-cage Environment (SCORHE) was developed to quantify activity levels and behavior patterns for mice housed within a commercial ventilated cage rack. The SCORHE in-rack design provides daytime and night-time monitoring with the stability and consistency of the home-cage environment. The dual-video camera custom hardware design makes efficient use of space, does not require home-cage modification, and is animal facility user-friendly. Given the system’s low cost and suitability for use in existing vivariums without modification to animal husbandry procedures or housing setup, SCORHE opens up the potential for wider use of automated video monitoring in animal facilities. SCORHE potential uses include day-to-day health monitoring, as well as advanced behavioral screening and ethology experiments, ranging from assessing short- and long-term circadian rhythm studies to evaluation of mouse models. When used for phenotyping and animal model studies, SCORHE aims to eliminate concerns often associated with many mouse monitoring methods, such as circadian rhythm disruption, acclimation periods, lack of nighttime measurements, and short monitoring periods. Video analysis methods have been developed to accurately track the head and tail position of the mouse. The algorithms also automatically detect the following nine distinct behaviors: eating, drinking, grooming, foraging, climbing, walking, resting, supported rearing, and unsupported rearing. Preliminary results showing the activity and behavior profiles over a full circadian cycle for C57BL wild-type mouse will be presented.

Scientific Focus Area: Neuroscience

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021