MarmoDetector: A novel 3D automated system for the quantitative assessment of marmoset behavior

Taiki Yabumoto; Fumiaki Yoshida; Hideaki Miyauchi; Kousuke Baba; Hiroshi Tsuda; Kensuke Ikenaka; Hideki Hayakawa; Nozomu Koyabu; Hiroki Hamanaka; Stella M Papa; Masayuki Hirata; Hideki Mochizuki

doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.03.016

MarmoDetector: A novel 3D automated system for the quantitative assessment of marmoset behavior

J Neurosci Methods. 2019 Jul 1:322:23-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.03.016. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
² Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduat School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, Japan.
³ COCOSNET Ltd., Fukuoka, Japan.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Advanced Hybrid Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
⁵ The Institute of Large Laboratory Animal Sciences, Center of Medical Innovation and Translational Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
⁶ Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduat School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
⁷ Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁸ Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduat School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: mhirata@cne.mei.osaka-u.ac.jp.
⁹ Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: hmochizuki@neurol.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.

Abstract

Background: Callithrix jacchus, generally known as the common marmoset, has recently garnered interest as an experimental primate model for better understanding the basis of human social behavior, architecture and function. Modelling human neurological and psychological diseases in marmosets can enhance the knowledge obtained from rodent research for future pre-clinical studies. Hence, comprehensive and quantitative assessments of marmoset behaviors are crucial. However, systems for monitoring and analyzing marmoset behaviors have yet to be established.

New method: In this paper, we present a novel multimodal system, MarmoDetector, for the automated 3D analysis of marmoset behavior under freely moving conditions. MarmoDetector allows the quantitative assessment of marmoset behaviors using computerised tracking analysis techniques that are based on a Kinect system equipped with video recordings, infrared images and depth analysis.

Results: Using MarmoDetector, we assessed behavioral circadian rhythms continuously over several days in home cages. In addition, MarmoDetector detected acute, transient complex behaviors of alcohol injected marmosets.

Comparison to existing method: Compared to 2D recording, MarmoDetector detects activities more precisely and is very sensitive as we could detect behavioral defects specifically induced by alcohol administration.

Conclusion: MarmoDetector facilitates the rapid and accurate analysis of marmoset behavior and will enhance research on the neural basis of brain disorders.

Keywords: Alcohol; Behavioral neuroscience; Kinect; Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Behavior, Animal*
Callithrix*
Circadian Rhythm
Female
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Male
Motor Activity
Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
Video Recording

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding