Assessing mouse behaviour throughout the light/dark cycle using automated in-cage analysis tools

Abstract

HighlightsAutomated assessment of mouse home-cage behaviour is robust and reliable.Analysis over multiple light/dark cycles improves ability to classify behaviours.Combined RFID and video analysis enables home-cage analysis in group housed animals.

The importance of determining circadian parameters in pharmacological studies

“…Mouse activity is typically monitored by voluntary wheel running, a technique that dates back to the 19th century (Stewart, ). The measurements of activity on running wheels provide direct access to mice activity and allow to infer certain circadian parameters, such as the free running period (usually monitored in DD conditions) and the phase of entrainment (comparing the phase of activity relative to the LD cycles; Bains et al, ; Eckel‐Mahan & Sassone‐Corsi, ). These parameters can be correlated with circadian rhythm mis‐alignments (Bains et al, ) and have been used to explain drug effects on the circadian system (Kitanaka et al, ).…”

“…These parameters can be correlated with circadian rhythm mis‐alignments (Bains et al, ) and have been used to explain drug effects on the circadian system (Kitanaka et al, ). Despite the beauty of this system reflecting its simplicity, mouse behaviour is dynamic and can be influenced by a wide range of variables, from genetics to motivation or environmental factors (Bains et al, ). In addition or as an alternative to wheel running monitoring, home‐caging video systems have also been used to characterize circadian parameters (e.g., ANYmaze or COMPASS; Bains et al, ).…”

“…Despite the beauty of this system reflecting its simplicity, mouse behaviour is dynamic and can be influenced by a wide range of variables, from genetics to motivation or environmental factors (Bains et al, ). In addition or as an alternative to wheel running monitoring, home‐caging video systems have also been used to characterize circadian parameters (e.g., ANYmaze or COMPASS; Bains et al, ). These systems allow the observation of additional parameters that may also be correlated with circadian rhythms, such as anxiety‐like behaviour, feeding patterns, and sleep.…”

“…As the majority of rodents are nocturnal, their activity is increased during Mouse activity is typically monitored by voluntary wheel running, a technique that dates back to the 19th century (Stewart, 1898). The measurements of activity on running wheels provide direct access to mice activity and allow to infer certain circadian parameters, such as the free running period (usually monitored in DD conditions) and the phase of entrainment (comparing the phase of activity relative to the LD cycles; Bains et al, 2018;Eckel-Mahan & Sassone-Corsi, 2015).…”

“…These parameters can be correlated with circadian rhythm misalignments (Bains et al, 2016) and have been used to explain drug effects on the circadian system (Kitanaka et al, 2012). Despite the beauty of this system reflecting its simplicity, mouse behaviour is dynamic and can be influenced by a wide range of variables, from genetics to motivation or environmental factors (Bains et al, 2018).…”