Aug 15, 2023
Behavior Tracking with Running Wheels
- Victoria Vance1,
- Katerina Rademacher1,
- Ken Nakamura1
- 1Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease
Protocol Citation: Victoria Vance, Katerina Rademacher, Ken Nakamura 2023. Behavior Tracking with Running Wheels. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.3byl4qqe8vo5/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: In development
We are still developing and optimizing this protocol
Created: August 13, 2023
Last Modified: May 31, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 86417
Keywords: ASAPCRN, Mouse, Behavior
Funders Acknowledgements:
ASAP-CRN
Grant ID: 020529
Abstract
This protocol describes tracking and analyzing behavior in mice using wireless running wheels. Because these running wheels are able to be placed inside an animal's home cage and continuously collect data, this method allows for the detection of activity throughout both the light and dark cycle.
Materials
- Med Associates wireless activity wheels (ENV-047) Wireless Running WheelMed AssociatesCatalog #ENV-047
- Med Associates Hub (DIG-807) Wireless Device USB HubMed AssociatesCatalog #DIG-807
- Med Associates software (SOF-860) Wheel Manager Data Acquisition SoftwareMed AssociatesCatalog #SOF-860
- Water bottles: o Bioanalytical Systems Water Bottle (CX-5010) Mouse Water BottleBioanalytical SystemsCatalog #CS-5010 o Guardian Hamster Water Bottle (Amazon, cat: B0713XMP98) Guardians Hamster Water BottleAmazonCatalog #B0713XMP98
Setting Up Wheels
Setting Up Wheels
Single-house mice in new cages containing activity wheels at least 3 days prior to beginning drug/vehicle to collect baseline data.
Place clear wheel base holder on cage floor. If the experiment involves providing medicated water, place water bottle in the cage with sufficient autoclaved water. Note that excessive bedding crowds the cage and can cause water leaks.
Turn on the wheel base and ensure that it connects to the Hub. Connect the base to the orange wheel and test that it properly detects wheel spins by manually spinning the wheel and monitoring the spin count. If the wheel connects and counts properly, place the wheel in the cage.
Label each cage with the wheel number, put mouse in cage, and place on rack. If providing medicated water, ensure the mouse does not have access to other water sources, such as a LixIt spout.
If cages cannot accommodate both wheels/water bottles and a food rack, provide food on the cage floor.
Start data acquisition.
Monitor Hub connection daily, replacing activity wheel batteries as needed. Change cages every two weeks.
At the end of each experiment, end data acquisition and clean all components with 10% bleach and water.
Wheel Analysis
Wheel Analysis
Export wheel data file from Master Hub as an Excel sheet (Wheel Manager -> Export Data).
To analyze data in Excel, take the average data from the light and dark cycles in the vivarium (e.g. 7pm-7am for each night, and 7am-7pm for each day).