An apparatus and method for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device and a method for testing the exploration behavior of macaques. The device includes a base, a first telescopic rod, a support block, a second telescopic rod, a rotary motor, and a laser projection pen; a control system and a video recording system are installed on the base; the first telescopic rod is horizontally installed on the top surface of the base; the support block is installed at the telescopic end of the first telescopic rod, and the support block is slidably connected to the top surface of the base; the second telescopic rod is vertically installed on the support block, and an angle adjustment support is installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod; the rotary motor is installed on the angle adjustment support, and a turntable is installed on the output shaft of the rotary motor; the laser projection pen is detachably connected to the turntable; wherein, a vibration motor is installed on the turntable, and the first telescopic rod, the second telescopic rod, the rotary motor, the laser projection pen, and the vibration motor are all electrically connected to the control system. The present invention can accurately measure the exploration behavior of animals such as macaques, is flexible in operation, has a high degree of automation, and provides convenience for data collection of the exploration behavior of macaques.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of exploratory behavior testing, and in particular to a device and method for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques. Background Art

[0002] Exploration is a behavior that almost all animals (including humans) have, which is manifested as curiosity about new and strange stimuli in the outside world. Exploratory behavior allows animals to classify and process external stimuli, avoid dangerous stimuli, and ensure survival. However, for patients with neurological diseases such as autism and depression, their exploratory behavior is generally reduced, which is one of their pathological characteristics and even becomes one of the auxiliary diagnostic criteria. The construction of a suitable animal model is crucial to studying the mechanisms and cure strategies of human nervous system diseases. As close relatives of humans, non-human primates have complex social structures, genetic composition, anatomical structure, physiological functions, behavioral manifestations, emotional expressions and advanced cognitive functions that are highly similar to those of humans. Therefore, it is recognized that they have irreplaceable advantages over other experimental animals in the study of human neuropsychiatric diseases.

[0003] Non-human primates, macaques, have obvious exploratory behaviors under normal conditions. When faced with neutral novel stimuli, they often immediately approach, touch with their limbs, or even lick with their mouths, showing strong curiosity and exploratory behaviors. Based on this characteristic, when constructing macaque models of human neurological diseases, we can determine whether the model successfully reflects the disease characteristics of human patients by checking whether their exploratory behaviors are abnormal. Therefore, the measurement of animal exploratory behavior is one of the important indicators for evaluating neurological disease models and whether intervention treatments are effective.

[0004] At present, the evaluation of macaque exploratory behavior is still limited to a simple evaluation of its natural exploratory behavior in the breeding cage or when it is transferred to another monkey cage, including: evaluating the duration and frequency of the macaque's behavior of fiddling with the bars and locks in the cage with his hands, licking the cage with his mouth, etc. The disadvantages are that the stimulation is uncontrollable, the behavioral definition indicators are unclear, and it is not easy to quantitatively and accurately measure the animal's exploratory behavior. In addition, macaques quickly adapt to monkey cages with similar structures, resulting in a rapid decrease in exploratory behavior. If the macaque is transferred to another new monkey cage, its exploratory behavior will be interfered with due to strong stress, so this traditional testing method brings great difficulties and uncertainties to the data collection of macaque exploratory behavior.

[0005] To this end, the present invention provides a device and method for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for quantitatively testing the exploratory behavior of macaques with controllable stimulation, aiming to solve or improve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions: The present invention provides a device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques, comprising:

[0008] A base on which a control system and a video recording system are installed;

[0009] A first telescopic rod, which is horizontally installed on the top surface of the base;

[0010] A support block, which is installed at the telescopic end of the first telescopic rod and is slidably connected to the top surface of the base;

[0011] A second telescopic rod, which is vertically installed on the support block, and an angle adjustment support is installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod;

[0012] A rotary motor, which is installed on the angle adjustment support, and a turntable is installed on the output shaft of the rotary motor;

[0013] A laser projection pen, which is detachably connected to the turntable;

[0014] Wherein, a vibration motor is installed on the turntable, and the first telescopic rod, the second telescopic rod, the rotary motor, the laser projection pen, and the vibration motor are all electrically connected to the control system.

[0015] According to the device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, a fixing groove is formed on the top surface of the turntable, and the laser projection pen is clamped in the fixing groove.

[0016] According to the device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, the control system comprises a main control chip and a wireless transmission module; both the main control chip and the wireless transmission module are installed on the base, and the wireless transmission module, the first telescopic rod, the second telescopic rod, the rotary motor, the laser projection pen, and the vibration motor are all electrically connected to the main control chip.

[0017] According to the device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, the angle adjustment support comprises:

[0018] A lower support, which is fixedly installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod; a plurality of positioning holes are formed on the side wall of the lower support;

[0019] An upper support, one end of which is hinged to the lower support;

[0020] A first sliding groove, which is formed on the upper support;

[0021] Second chute, the second chute is opened on the lower support; the second chute is communicated with a plurality of the positioning holes;

[0022] Slider, the bottom of the slider is slidably connected with the second chute, the top of the slider is fixedly connected with a slide bar, and the slide bar is slidably connected with the first chute; a clamping hole is penetrated and opened at the bottom of the side wall of the slider;

[0023] Positioning pin, the positioning pin is installed on the lower support, and the positioning pin penetrates through one of the positioning holes and is inserted into the clamping hole.

[0024] According to a device for testing the exploration behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, a third chute is opened on the top surface of the base, and the support block is slidably connected with the third chute.

[0025] According to a device for testing the exploration behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, the jitter frequency of the vibration motor is 0 to 20 times per second.

[0026] According to a device for testing the exploration behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, the telescopic distance of the first telescopic rod is 0 cm to 100 cm.

[0027] The present invention also provides a method for testing the exploration behavior of macaques, including the following steps:

[0028] Step 1: Place the device 50 cm to 200 cm outside the test cage, and keep the position of the stimulation icon emitted by the laser projection pen (8) facing the center of the test cage;

[0029] Step 2: Emit the stimulation icon; the movement track of the stimulation icon includes uniform clockwise or counterclockwise rotation covering the four sides of the test cage, and up-and-down jittering or left-and-right jittering when the stimulation icon approaches the macaque;

[0030] Step 3: Record the duration and frequency of the exploration behavior and reaction of the macaque.

[0031] According to a method for testing the exploration behavior of macaques provided by the present invention, in the step 2, the duration of emitting the stimulation icon does not exceed 10 minutes per macaque.

[0032] The present invention discloses the following technical effects:

[0033] Based on the natural curiosity of animals towards moving colored laser icons, the present invention projects colored laser icons of different shapes (with positive, neutral, and negative stimulation characteristics) into the test cage where macaques are located through a laser projection pen. The first telescopic rod drives the laser projection pen to translate horizontally left and right, the second telescopic rod drives the laser projection pen to translate vertically up and down, and the rotary motor drives the laser projection pen to rotate 360 degrees in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thereby enabling multi-axis movement of the laser projection pen in space. By installing a vibration motor on the turntable, the laser projection pen can vibrate, enabling the stimulation icons emitted by the laser projection pen to have various projection methods such as rotation, horizontal, and vertical displacement. By recording the behavioral responses of macaques and calculating the duration and frequency of macaques following and touching the icons and related behavioral responses, this is used as an evaluation method for the exploration behavior of macaques, and it is possible to accurately measure the exploration behavior of animals such as macaques.

[0034] The present invention can adjust the installation angles of the turntable and the laser projection pen through an angle adjustment support, facilitating operation. The first telescopic rod, the second telescopic rod, the rotary motor, the laser projection pen, and the vibration motor are all electrically connected to the control system, and the time of the colored laser icon emitted by the laser projection pen and the moving and rotating speeds of the laser projection pen can be accurately controlled through the control system. The operation is flexible, the degree of automation is high, and it has a wide range of application prospects.

[0035] The present invention can effectively measure the exploration behavior of macaques towards novel stimuli in their familiar environment. This test method is simple and time-consuming, avoiding the adaptation of macaques, and providing convenience for data collection of the exploration behavior of macaques. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the device for testing the exploration behavior of macaques according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial enlarged view of A in

[0039] Among them, 1. Base; 2. Control system; 3. First telescopic rod; 4. Support block; 5. Second telescopic rod; 6. Rotary motor; 7. Turntable; 8. Laser projection pen; 9. Vibration motor; 10. Fixed groove; 11. Lower support; 12. Positioning hole; 13. Upper support; 14. First chute; 15. Second chute; 16. Slide block; 17. Positioning pin; 18. Third chute; 19. Video recording system. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0041] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific implementation manners.

[0042] Refer to Figure 1-2 , the present invention provides a device for testing the exploration behavior of macaques, including:

[0043] A base 1, on which a control system 2 and a video recording system 19 are installed; the video recording system 19 is electrically connected to the control system 2; in this embodiment, the video recording system 19 uses a wireless camera;

[0044] A first telescopic rod 3, which is horizontally installed on the top surface of the base 1;

[0045] A support block 4, which is installed at the telescopic end of the first telescopic rod 3 and is slidably connected to the top surface of the base 1;

[0046] A second telescopic rod 5, which is vertically installed on the support block 4, and an angle adjustment support is installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod 5;

[0047] A rotary motor 6, which is installed on the angle adjustment support, and a turntable 7 is installed on the output shaft of the rotary motor 6;

[0048] A laser projection pen 8, which is detachably connected to the turntable 7; the projection speed of the laser projection pen 8 is controllable, and in this embodiment, it is preferably 0 - 20 revolutions per minute;

[0049] Among them, a vibration motor 9 is installed on the turntable 7, and the first telescopic rod 3, the second telescopic rod 5, the rotary motor 6, the laser projection pen 8, and the vibration motor 9 are all electrically connected to the control system 2;

[0050] With such settings, based on the natural curiosity of animals towards moving colored laser icons, the present invention projects colored laser icons into the test cage where the macaques are located through the laser projection pen 8. The first telescopic rod 3 drives the laser projection pen 8 to translate horizontally left and right, the second telescopic rod 5 drives the laser projection pen 8 to translate vertically up and down, and the rotating motor 6 drives the laser projection pen 8 to rotate 360 degrees forward or backward, thereby enabling the multi-axis movement of the laser projection pen 8 in space. By installing a vibration motor 9 on the turntable 7, the laser projection pen 8 can vibrate, so that the stimulus icons emitted by the laser projection pen 8 have various projection methods such as rotation, horizontal displacement, and vertical displacement. By recording the behavioral responses of the macaques and calculating the duration and frequency of the macaques following and touching the icons, etc., as an evaluation method for the exploration behavior of macaques, it is possible to accurately measure the exploration behavior of animals such as macaques.

[0051] The present invention can adjust the installation angles of the turntable 7 and the laser projection pen 8 through the angle adjustment support, which is convenient for operation. The first telescopic rod 3, the second telescopic rod 5, the rotating motor 6, the laser projection pen 8, and the vibration motor 9 are all electrically connected to the control system 2. The time of the colored laser icons emitted by the laser projection pen 8 and the moving and rotating speeds of the laser projection pen 8 can be accurately controlled through the control system 2. The operation is flexible and the automation degree is high, having a wide application prospect.

[0052] The present invention can effectively measure the exploration behavior of macaques towards controllable novel stimuli in their familiar environment. This test method is simple and takes a short time, avoiding the adaptation of macaques, providing convenience for data collection of macaque exploration behavior. Moreover, in macaques with social disorders such as autism, characteristics similar to those of human patients with reduced exploration behavior have been found. Therefore, it is proved that this exploration behavior method can be used as one of the evaluation indicators for effectively differentiating normal macaques from macaques with social disorders and can be used for the evaluation of macaque models of human nervous system diseases and the research of cure strategies.

[0053] In a further optimized scheme, a fixing groove 10 is formed on the top surface of the turntable 7, and the laser projection pen 8 is clamped in the fixing groove 10, which is convenient for replacing laser projection pens 8 of different models.

[0054] In a further optimized scheme, a rotating mechanism is installed between the laser projection pen 8 and the fixing groove 10 for driving the laser projection pen 8 to adjust the rotation angle in the fixing groove 10. The rotating mechanism can be driven by a motor and is electrically connected to the control system 2, enabling automatic adjustment, and then realizing the coverage of the inner wall of the test cage by the laser projection icons.

[0055] For a further optimized solution, the control system 2 includes a main control chip and a wireless transmission module; both the main control chip and the wireless transmission module are installed on the base 1, and the video recording system 19, the wireless transmission module, the first telescopic rod 3, the second telescopic rod 5, the rotation motor 6, the laser projection pen 8, and the vibration motor 9 are all electrically connected to the main control chip; the background device can be connected through the wireless transmission module to enable the experimenter to remotely control the projection position and mode of the laser projection icon.

[0056] For a further optimized solution, the angle adjustment support includes:

[0057] A lower support 11, which is fixedly installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod 5; a number of positioning holes 12 are provided on the side wall of the lower support 11;

[0058] An upper support 13, one end of which is hinged to the lower support 11;

[0059] A first sliding groove 14, which is provided on the upper support 13;

[0060] A second sliding groove 15, which is provided on the lower support 11; the second sliding groove 15 communicates with a number of positioning holes 12;

[0061] A slider 16, the bottom of which is slidably connected to the second sliding groove 15, and a sliding rod is fixedly connected to the top of the slider 16, and the sliding rod is slidably connected to the first sliding groove 14; a clamping hole is provided through the bottom of the side wall of the slider 16;

[0062] A positioning pin 17, which is installed on the lower support 11, and the positioning pin 17 passes through one of the positioning holes 12 and is inserted into the clamping hole.

[0063] For a further optimized solution, a third sliding groove 18 is provided on the top surface of the base 1, and the support block 4 is slidably connected to the third sliding groove 18.

[0064] For a further optimized solution, the jitter frequency of the vibration motor 9 is 0 to 20 times per second, and preferably 0 to 10 times per second in this embodiment.

[0065] For a further optimized solution, the telescopic distance of the first telescopic rod 3 is 0 cm to 100 cm, and preferably 0 cm to 80 cm in this embodiment;

[0066] The jitter distance at which the icon is projected onto the inner wall of the test cage is 0 cm to cm.

[0067] The present invention also provides a method for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques, including the following steps:

[0068] Step 1: The laser pointer 8 is fixed on the vertical slide rod and can move up and down to ensure that the projector is located at the center of the test cage during the test. The vertical height range is 50 cm to 200 cm. Place the device 50 cm to 200 cm outside the test cage. In this embodiment, it is preferably 100 cm to 150 cm to prevent the macaque from reaching out and grabbing. Keep the position of the stimulation icon emitted by the laser pointer 8 facing the center of the test cage. The actual projection distance of the projection icon to the inner wall of the test cage is 190 cm to 240 cm. Install the device in front of the test cage so that the video recording screen of the video system 19 completely shows the test cage and record the whole experiment. The test cage has two layers, and the overall size of the test cage is 90 cm × 90 cm × 90 cm (length × width × height).

[0069] Step 2: Emit the stimulation icon. The movement trajectory of the stimulation icon includes uniform clockwise or counterclockwise rotation covering the four sides of the test cage, and up-and-down or left-and-right jitter when the stimulation icon approaches the macaque. Make the stimulation icon approach the macaque by remote control.

[0070] Step 3: Record the duration and frequency of the exploration behavior and related reactions of the macaque as the evaluation index of the exploration behavior. The exploration behavior and related reactions of the macaque include but are not limited to behaviors such as following and touching the icon.

[0071] In a further optimized solution, in Step 2, the duration of emitting the stimulation icon does not exceed 10 minutes per macaque.

[0072] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0073] The above-described embodiments are only descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various deformations and improvements made by those of ordinary skill in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques, characterized in that, Comprising: A base (1) on which a control system (2) and a video recording system (19) are installed; A first telescopic rod (3) horizontally installed on the top surface of the base (1); A support block (4) installed at the telescopic end of the first telescopic rod (3), and the support block (4) is slidably connected to the top surface of the base (1); A second telescopic rod (5) vertically installed on the support block (4), and an angle adjustment support is installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod (5); A rotary motor (6) installed on the angle adjustment support, and a turntable (7) is installed on the output shaft of the rotary motor (6); A laser pointer (8) detachably connected to the turntable (7); Wherein, a vibration motor (9) is installed on the turntable (7), and the first telescopic rod (3), the second telescopic rod (5), the rotary motor (6), the laser pointer (8), and the vibration motor (9) are all electrically connected to the control system (2).

2. The device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques according to claim 1, wherein: A fixing groove (10) is formed on the top surface of the turntable (7), and the laser pointer (8) is clamped in the fixing groove (10).

3. The device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques according to claim 1, wherein: The control system (2) includes a main control chip and a wireless transmission module; both the main control chip and the wireless transmission module are installed on the base (1), and the wireless transmission module, the first telescopic rod (3), the second telescopic rod (5), the rotary motor (6), the laser pointer (8), and the vibration motor (9) are all electrically connected to the main control chip.

4. The device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques according to claim 1, wherein: The angle adjustment support includes: A lower support (11) fixedly installed at the telescopic end of the second telescopic rod (5); a plurality of positioning holes (12) are formed on the side wall of the lower support (11); An upper support (13) with one end hinged to the lower support (11); A first sliding groove (14) formed on the upper support (13); A second sliding groove (15) formed on the lower support (11); the second sliding groove (15) communicates with a plurality of the positioning holes (12); A slider (16) with the bottom slidably connected to the second sliding groove (15), a sliding rod fixedly connected to the top of the slider (16), and the sliding rod slidably connected to the first sliding groove (14); a clamping hole is formed through the bottom of the side wall of the slider (16); A positioning pin (17) installed on the lower support (11), and the positioning pin (17) penetrates through one of the positioning holes (12) and is inserted into the clamping hole.

5. The device for testing the exploratory behavior of rhesus monkeys according to claim 1, wherein: A third sliding groove (18) is formed on the top surface of the base (1), and the support block (4) is slidably connected to the third sliding groove (18).

6. The device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques according to claim 1, characterized in that: The jitter frequency of the vibration motor (9) is 0 to 20 times per second.

7. The device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques according to claim 1, wherein: The telescopic distance of the first telescopic rod (3) is 0 cm to 100 cm.

8. A method for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques, based on the device for testing the exploratory behavior of macaques according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Comprising the following steps: Step 1: Place the device 50 cm to 200 cm outside the test cage, and keep the position of the stimulation icon emitted by the laser projection pen (8) facing the center of the test cage; Step 2: Emit the stimulation icon; the movement trajectory of the stimulation icon includes a uniform clockwise or counterclockwise rotation covering the four sides of the test cage, and the stimulation icon jitters up and down or left and right when approaching the macaque; Step 3: Record the duration and frequency of the exploration behavior and response of the macaque.

9. The method for testing the exploratory behavior of rhesus monkeys according to claim 8, wherein: In the second step, the duration of emitting the stimulation icon does not exceed 10 minutes per macaque.

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