Abstract
Behavioral analysis in preclinical neuropsychopharmacology relies on the accurate measurement of animal behavior. Several excellent solutions for computer-assisted behavioral analysis are available for specialized behavioral laboratories wishing to invest significant resources. Herein, we present an open source straightforward software solution aiming at the rapid and easy introduction to an experimental workflow, and at the improvement of training staff members in a better and more reproducible manual scoring of behavioral experiments with the use of visual aids-maps. Currently the program readily supports the Forced Swim Test, Novel Object Recognition test and the Elevated Plus maze test, but with minor modifications can be used for scoring virtually any behavioral test. Additional modules, with predefined templates and scoring parameters, are continuously added. Importantly, the prominent use of visual maps has been shown to improve, in a student-engaging manner, the training and auditing of scoring in behavioral rodent experiments.
Highlights
Behavioral analysis in preclinical neuropsychopharmacology relies on the accurate measurement of animal behavior (Kokras and Dalla, 2014; Kokras et al, 2015)
Several attempts have been done over the last 20 years to develop open-source or freely available computer programs for scoring animal behavior (Moraes and Ferrarezi, 1997; Ottoni, 2000; Taiwanica, 2000; Patel et al, 2006; Poirrier et al, 2006; Aguiar et al, 2007; Blumstein and Daniel, 2007; Otero et al, 2010; Crispim Junior et al, 2012; de Chaumont et al, 2012; Telonis and Margarity, 2015; Friard et al, 2016). Some of those attempts resulted in outdated and probably not under active development computer programs, some were focused on specific models that could not be modified for other settings, and Kinoscope some resulted in elaborat solutions that required a significant investment in human resources to develop, adapt and operate
We have developed a versatile and expandable software package with the aim to provide a ready and easy to use platform for behavioral analysis scoring and a platform through which training in behavioral pharmacology scoring can be facilitated and controlled
Summary
Behavioral analysis in preclinical neuropsychopharmacology relies on the accurate measurement of animal behavior (Kokras and Dalla, 2014; Kokras et al, 2015). Several attempts have been done over the last 20 years to develop open-source or freely available computer programs for scoring animal behavior (Moraes and Ferrarezi, 1997; Ottoni, 2000; Taiwanica, 2000; Patel et al, 2006; Poirrier et al, 2006; Aguiar et al, 2007; Blumstein and Daniel, 2007; Otero et al, 2010; Crispim Junior et al, 2012; de Chaumont et al, 2012; Telonis and Margarity, 2015; Friard et al, 2016).
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