Touch-screen multifunctional non-human primate animal cognitive-function testing method

Abstract

The invention discloses a touch-screen multifunctional non-human primate animal cognitive-function testing method and belongs to the technical field of animal experiment devices. A touch screen capable of moving back and forth and a water supply nozzle capable of moving vertically are arranged in a testing cage. A monkey raised in a living cage is transferred to the testing cage through a transfer cage, the condition of the monkey in the transfer process is observed through an observation window of the transfer cage, a transfer cage door is in butt joint with a testing cage door after in-place transfer is completed, the transfer cage door and the testing cage door are pulled open, the testing cage door is closed through insertion after the monkey enters the testing cage, the monkey is enabled to complete a task at a natural sitting posture and obtain a drinking water award, an injector containing drinking water or fruit juice is accurately pushed through computer control, and the drinking water or fruit juice award is quantitatively given to the monkey. After the monkey correctly completes a screen touching task, the monkey drinks clear water or fruit juice from the water supply nozzle, and the quantitative relation formula of the height Y from the water supply nozzle to the bottom face of the testing cage and the distance X from the water supply nozzle to the touch face of the touch screen is determined as Y=0.4661X + (26-30), and measurement unit is millimeter.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of animal experiment equipment, and in particular relates to a method for testing the cognitive ability of non-human primates. Background technique [0002] In the field of neurobiology, it is often necessary to conduct behavioral tests on experimental animals. By allowing experimental animals to complete a certain behavioral paradigm to evaluate their cognitive abilities and brain functions, and then reveal the rules of brain activity. Non-human primates, such as rhesus monkeys, as a high-level experimental animal, have advanced and complex nervous systems and can complete a variety of complex behavioral tasks; Cognitive function assessment is a very important research method in neurobiology. [0003] Based on neuropsychology, predecessors have developed a set of behavioral paradigms for evaluating the advanced brain functions of macaques. Combined with food rewards, macaques are allowed to complete a seri...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantages of this system and testing method are:

[0005] 1. Its hardware is only a box-shaped device with a touch screen, and it must be equipped with a corresponding cage when used; in addition, it is heavy (about 25kg), and it needs to be equipped with a corresponding lifting device to adjust its distance and height from the monkey cage. platform

[0006] 2. Rewards are given to macaques by feeding. The given food needs to be specially processed into biscuit particles with a certain shape and hardness, otherwise the automatic feeding system will break down, and the production of feeding food is difficult and expensive ( The price is about 2800 RMB / kg)

[0007] 3. Lack of some practical functions, for example, the position of the water supply system cannot be adjusted, there is no design to prevent macaques from accidentally touching the touch screen, and there is no camera to monitor the tested animals, etc.

[0008] 4. The price is expensive, 150,000 to 200,000 RMB

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