![]() SR14150 is an NOP receptor agonist that is analgesic and produces reduced levels of activity relative to controls when placed into an experimental setting ( 23). These latter experiments were conducted with SR14150 ( 29). The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide acting on its receptor (NOP) causes sedation, anxiolytic effect, and modulates nociception ( 22, 23). Conversely, drugs that produce sedation effects decreased the spontaneous activity measured by the SmartCage™. In contrast, vehicle injection mice gradually decreased their activity to a basal level within half an hour (Fig. It is clearly evident via SmartCage™ assessment that cocaine increases distance traveled and rearing activity following drug administration, lasting for approximately 3 h. The mice were continuously monitored for 24 h following the injection. Immediately following the injection, individual animals in their home cage, complete with food and water in the top metal rack, were placed into the SmartCage™ system. Mice on day 1 received an injection of vehicle and on day 2 received an injection of the stimulant cocaine (30 mg/kg, i.p.). To further validate the IR detection, we used well-established drugs that are known to increase or decrease animal activity. This initial validation indicated that that the activity levels recorded by the SmartCage™ system can adequately identify changes in activity patterns. The analyzed data obtained from the two systems indicated that the pattern in activity levels were identical, though the absolute value is slightly different when comparing the SmartCage™ to the video system (Fig. The video images were processed using the video tracking of rodent activity software (SMART Video Tracking System, San Diego Instruments). The accumulated traveling distance at a given time block was automatically calculated by the CageScore™ program (Program associated with the SmartCage™ system AfaSci, Inc.). The individual mouse was placed into a freshly prepared home cage and recorded simultaneously using the SmartCage™ system and a video camera placed above the SmartCage™ system. The IR activity and locomotion measures in the SmartCage™ were compared with the video tracking system. Our first step in verification of the SmartCage™ system was examination of the accuracy of automatic data analysis by verification with visual inspection and conventional techniques. After their activity is stable, treatment with the test drug can be started. Mice are most active within the first 1 h when transferred to a fresh or new cage, and then their activity levels gradually decrease. Absolute and percent time in a chosen block spent in this arousal state are also reported. All IR data (beam break activity counts, locomotion, rearing, and rotations) are continuously recorded at a 4-Hz sampling rate. ![]() The z-axis photocell beam break counts reflect the number of beam interruptions in the upper row of IR sensors and indicate rearing or climbing activity, which is thought to be part of exploratory behavior parameters. The calculated traveling distance (at any given time period, called “block,” (i.e., “time bin”) or “total measuring period”), and speed are two main parameters for locomotor activity (Fig. Locomotion is defined as the moving distance longer than the whole length of the test animal. ![]() Likewise, distance traveled in centimeters is obtained from the lower horizontal IR, and calculated taking into account the animal’s moving path. Activity counts are obtained from the lower horizontal IR sensors (along the x and y axis). Home cage activity variables include activity counts, i.e., the photocell beam breaks, locomotion (distance traveled and speed), and rearing counts. Activity measurements: Active wakefulness is defined as actively moving, rearing, and exploratory behaviors.
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