Lecture 14

Question 1

What are the steps for video analysis in behavioural studies?

Answer 1

Video Import: Import video files into the software
Coding Scheme Setup: Define the states or events you will be looking for in
the video
Annotations
Manual Annotations: Use the mouse or keyboard to log behaviors. For
example, specific keys can be assigned to different behaviors (e.g.,
pressing Key F logs “Foraging” along with the timestamp)
Automated Annotations: The software automatically detects and logs
behaviors
Data Analysis & Visualization: Analyze data for duration, frequency,
synchronization, and generate figures and tables

Question 2

What is a behaviour test?

Answer 2

Behavioural tests can be used to answer specific questions in an optimal way
Often a proxy, often faster and more accurate than time- consuming direct behavioural observation
Can be applied to different species (often developed from rodent studies) and measure different aspects of the animal

Question 3

What is a common behavioural test for activity/exploration?

Answer 3

Locomotor activity/rearing, open field test, hole-board
test, response to novelty, voluntary exercise

Question 4

What is a common behavioural test for anxiety?

Answer 4

Open field test, locomotor activity/rearing, elevated plus maze tests, dark/light test

Question 5

What is a common behavioural test for depression?

Answer 5

Forced swim test*, tail suspension tes

Question 6

What is a common behavioural test for learning/memory?

Answer 6

Passive or active avoidance, Aron test, Morris water maze, radial maze test, T-maze test, object recognition test, operant procedures, 5/9-hole test

Question 7

What is a common behavioural test for reward?

Answer 7

Place preference tests, operant procedures

Question 8

What is a common behavioural test for sensory/motor skills?

Answer 8

Coordination and equilibrium, grip strength, exercise training, nociception, startle response

Question 9

What is a common behavioural test for social behaviour?

Answer 9

Social interaction, social reinstatement

Question 10

What is an open field test?

Answer 10

behavioral assessment method that measures an animal’s activity levels, anxiety, and willingness to explore
Outcome variables in the bright open space:
Total distances moved/time spent moving
Frequency of rearing
Time spent in the center vs. periphery
Defecation rates
Periods of immobility
Frequency and duration of grooming, sniffing
Duration for an open-field test: 5-10 min

Question 11

What is tonic immobility?

Answer 11

Tonic immobility (TI) is a natural, involuntary response to intense fear that causes a person or animal to become rigid and unmoving