PrimateScan is a software analysis tool similar to HomeCageScan, designed for the automated detection of Primate behaviors in a transparent cage. Our premise for developing PrimateScan is that behavioral measures are more viable when data is collected when test subjects are unconstrained by experimenter manipulation. Thus, automated high throughput analysis of behaviors in the primate home cage would be a powerful tool for assessing multiple behavioral measures in primate models of various types of disorders or disease.
Automation of analysis would allow quantification of all behaviors associated with the circadian rhythm over extended periods of time. The analysis of organized patterns of behavior over time are useful in detecting genetic changes, drug efficacy,phenotypic profiles or changes in animal models.
The automated system is also able to detect abnormal behaviors that do not normally occur and present the investigator with video clips of such behavior. Abnormalities may also result from a deviation from the regular circadian rhythm of normal behaviors. That is, detection of novel abnormal behaviors is achieved by detecting segments of behavior that do not fit the standard profile for a particular primate type whereas detection of abnormal amounts of a normal behavior is detected by comparing the statistical properties of the standard profile.
PrimateScan is a perfect fit for longitudinal studies where several animals are studied and tested over long periods. For example, PrimateScan can be used in disease progression studies by analyzing several animals one day every week for several weeks. The behavior profile for each week can then be compared with other weeks’ data to see what behaviors are altered over the course of the study.
The techniques for automation of the categorization and quantification of all home‐cage behaviors throughout the daily cycle will be a powerful tool for detecting phenotypic effects of gene manipulations or drug administration in primates. These techniques have been applied to achieve high throughput drug screening as well. System architecture for high throughput screening has been designed that involves analysis of 4 cages on a system. Moreover, with multiple cameras hooked up to PrimateScan systems, the number of cages analyzed simultaneously can be increased further. Up to 4 animals can be analyzed simultaneously with the High‐Throughput Option. Realtime Option provides the ability to perform analysis in realtime while the video is compressed and saved to the hard‐drive of the computer.
Many advanced features are incorporated, including supporting full color analysis, automatic adapting of changing environment, automated handling of day/night switches, variable speed playback of specific video segment for specific detected behavior, etc.
Complete Turn‐key systems including all necessary Hardware and Software are available. Custom design of your environment to facilitate analysis, including lighting condition setup, IR/red light setup, cage enclosures, video integration, and video‐feed to computer is also available.
This product is protected by US Patent(s) #6,678,413; 7,068,842; 7,209,588