PhenoTyper: Appetitive conditioning (pellet task)
LSID: http://syli.cz/urn:lsid:public.sylics.com:automatedtest:G9E4-8D9G-D76AMaterials and Methods
Mice were singly housed on sawdust in standard Makrolon type II cages enriched with cardboard nesting material for at least one week prior to experiments, with water and food ad libitum (7:00/19:00 lights on/off; providing an abrupt phase transition).
Activity in the home cage was automatically recorded by video tracking in specially designed cages (PhenoTyper model 3000, Noldus Information Technology, www.noldus.com/phenotyper). Each cage contains a top unit with built-in hardware for video-tracking, that is, an infrared-sensitive video camera. The latter provide constant and even illumination of the cage. An infrared filter placed in front of the camera prevents interference with room illumination. This method allows continuous behavioural recordings in both dark and light periods. EthoVision was used as video tracking and trial control software. PhenoTyper cages were connected in a specially designed computer network. The cages (L =30 × W =30 × H =35 cm) were made of transparent Perspex walls with an opaque Perspex floor covered with bedding based on cellulose. A feeding station and a water bottle were attached on to two adjacent walls outside of the cage. A shelter (height: 10 cm, diameter: 9 cm; non-transparent material) was fixed in one of the corners. The X-Y coordinates of the centre of gravity of mice were acquired and smoothed using EthoVision software and processed to generate behavioural parameters using AHCODA analysis software (Synaptologics BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, http://www.sylics.com/bioinformatics/ahcodatm-data-analysis/).
Associated Mammalian Phenotype Ontologies (MGI)
- MP:0001392 abnormal locomotor behaviour
- MP:0002063 abnormal learning/memory/conditioning
Appetitive conditioning (pellet task)
During the 4th night, 10 conditioning sessions of 15 minutes are provided in which climbing on top of the shelter is rewarded by delivery of a palatable food pellet in the opposing corner of the cage. Mice can learn two aspects of this task, which are described using two parameters of time:
Reward response of time: If mice learned to associate the drop of a pellet (noise of the pellet dispenser) with the availability of reward, the distance moved from OnShelter to the PelletZone will decrease. This reward response (i.e. the average distance moved between OnShelter to PelletZone) during the 10 x 15 min conditioning sessions can be compared to the day before the task was administered (Q day 3), and the 15 min time bins following 15 min sessions (Q1 after, Q2 after, Q3 after and Q4 after).
If mice learned this aspect of the task, they will show a decrease in the average distance moved between OnShelter to PelletZone, specifically during the 15 min when the pellet task is active (Q task) compared to the other Quarters.
Learning effect over time: If mice learned to associate climbing OnShelter with the delivery of the next reward, the distance moved from the PelletZone to OnShelter will decrease. This learning effect (i.e. the average distance moved between PelletZone to OnShelter) during the 10 x 15 min conditioning sessions can be compared to the day before the task was administered (Q day 3), and the 15 min time bins following 15 min sessions (Q1 after, Q2 after, Q3 after and Q4 after).
If mice learned this aspect of the task, they will show a decrease in the average distance moved between PelletZone to OnShelter, specifically during the 15 min when the pellet task is active (Q task) compared to the other Quarters.
Parameter information
| Parameter name | Units | Explanation |
| Total count PZ to OS moves | Frequency |