title: A method for tracking rats in a complex and completely dark environment using computerized video analysis.
abstract: The automated tracking of rodents in open field environments has become a standard laboratory technique for the investigation of the effects of drugs, novel therapeutic interventions and genetic mutations on behavior. Here, we develop an extension of this technique that permits tracking in full darkness through a complex ('enriched') environment comprising naturalistic structures such as tunnels and hides. To eliminate unwanted light reflections and tape noise, we developed a unique video filter that combines the advantages of differential and non-differential filtering. This filter enabled the tracking of albino rats against a relatively dark background to an accuracy of approximately 97% compared to hand tracking of the same animal, irrespective of whether the rat was inside a hide box or tunnel or out in the open field. The system as a whole can be easily deployed using standard PCs and inexpensive infrared cameras and lights.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, MS324 University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2038, Australia. Robert.Dielenberg@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dielenberg
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Halasz
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Day
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D003624:Darkness; D004777:Environment; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods*