An apparatus for detecting motor coordination in mice

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of animal behavior research, specifically relates to a kind of for detecting mouse movement coordination ability's behavior detection device.The utility model device includes horizontal ladder runway, rectangle baffle, cuboid support, cuboid dark box, rectangle tray, support rod, camera and lamp.Horizontal ladder runway is composed of metal bar and wire, it is convenient for mouse to climb;Rectangle baffle is arranged in the both sides of runway, it is helpful to limit mouse to climb to side and guide it to climb along runway, cuboid support is installed in the both ends below of runway, to enhance the stability of runway, cuboid dark box and lamp are placed on the support of the both ends of runway respectively, using the instinct of mouse to dark, guide it to carry out one-way movement, camera is placed in the side of runway, record mouse movement image for subsequent analysis.The device structure is simple, and it is sensitive and effective to determine mouse movement coordination ability, can detect multiple behavior indexes, to significantly improve experimental efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model belongs to the animal behavior research technical field relates to a mouse movement coordination ability evaluation device, specifically relates to a kind of for detecting mouse movement coordination ability's behavior detection device. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system in young people, and its pathological hallmark is the occurrence of demyelination in the brain and spinal cord. In clinical practice, the two most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis patients are movement disorders and pain, and about 70% of MS patients have motor dysfunction, including ataxia and gait imbalance, dysmetria (poor coordination) and decomposition of complex movements. [Filippi M, et al. Multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018, 4(1): 43]. Currently, feeding copper hydrazine (Cuprizone, CPZ) to rodents has been widely used to simulate and understand the potential processes of CNS oligodendrocyte proliferation, demyelination, remyelination and glial cell activation.

[0003] The existing evaluation method for CPZ motor dysfunction is mainly the rotarod test and the balance beam test [Sen MK, et al. Behavioural phenotypes in the cuprizone model of central nervous system demyelination. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019, 107: 23-46]. These behavioral experiments are simple to operate and easy to obtain results, but the method lacks sensitivity in detecting subtle changes in mouse movement ability. For example, the rotarod test generally assesses motor ability by detecting the time it takes for the mouse to fall, and the balance beam test generally assesses motor ability by detecting the time it takes for the mouse to pass. Neither of the two methods can evaluate the coordination of the mouse's limbs. Therefore, there is currently a lack of a high-sensitivity behavioral method in clinical research practice that can detect the occurrence of motor disorders with complex motor tasks, and a detection method that can detect multiple behavioral parameters simultaneously.

[0004] In the prior art, the utility model patent with application number CN201720066432.1 "mouse behavior test tool", discloses a behavior test tool for mouse limb strength, and the device aims to evaluate the state of foot and ankle. Although the device is simple, it has a wide motion pipeline, and the mouse cannot perform unidirectional motion, so it cannot reflect the motion ability according to the motion time index. The utility model patent with application number CN202111011369.9 "method for detecting mouse motion ability", discloses a method for detecting early motion disorder of mice, and the behavior device used in the method only has a hurdle, but no two side baffles, which cannot ensure that the mouse moves unidirectionally on the runway, and cannot distinguish the difference between the front and hind limb motion disorders of the mouse. And so on.

[0005] Based on the status quo of the prior art and the above-mentioned problems, the utility model person of the present application intends to provide a behavior test tool for testing mouse four-limb coordination, specifically a behavior detection device for detecting mouse motion coordination ability. The present application can accurately evaluate the motion ability of mice. Utility model content

[0006] The utility model aims to provide a behavior test tool for testing mouse four-limb coordination based on the status quo of the prior art and the existing problems, specifically a behavior detection device for detecting mouse motion coordination ability. The present application can accurately evaluate the motion ability of mice.

[0007] The present application provides a mouse behavior test tool for accurately evaluating the four-limb coordination of mice, and relates to a mouse motion coordination ability evaluation device, especially a device for detecting mouse motion coordination ability. The device of the utility model is composed of a horizontal ladder runway (1), a baffle (2), a buckle (3), a camera (4), a dark box (5), a vertical support rod (6), a bottom support rod (7), a tray (8), a bracket (9), and a lamp (10).

[0008] Specifically,

[0009] The device for detecting mouse motor coordination ability of the application comprises a ladder runway (1), two rectangular baffles (2), two cuboid supports (9), a cuboid dark box (5), a rectangular tray (8), two support rods (7), a camera (4) and a lamp (10). The ladder runway is composed of two metal rods and wires. The rectangular baffles are arranged on both sides of the ladder runway. The cuboid supports are arranged below both ends of the ladder runway. The cuboid dark box is arranged on the support at one end of the ladder runway. The rectangular tray is arranged below the ladder runway. The camera is arranged on the side of the ladder runway and above the support rod. The two support rods are arranged on the side of the ladder runway and below the camera. The buckles (3) are arranged at four corners of the ladder runway. The lamp is arranged at the other end of the ladder runway. The device is simple in structure, sensitive and effective in measuring mouse motor coordination ability, can detect multiple behavior indexes, and thus can significantly improve experimental efficiency.

[0010] More specifically,

[0011] The utility model discloses a mouse motor coordination ability evaluation device, and the device comprises:

[0012] Ladder runway: composed of two rod structures and a ladder, designed to be suitable for mouse climbing;

[0013] Rectangular baffle: arranged on both sides of the runway, used for limiting mouse lateral climbing and guiding the mouse to climb along the runway;

[0014] Cuboid support: installed below both ends of the runway, used for providing the stability of the runway;

[0015] Cuboid dark box: placed on the support at one end of the runway, used for guiding the mouse to move unidirectionally by using the dark instinct of the mouse;

[0016] Rectangular tray: placed below the ladder runway, used for reducing the fear of the mouse and facilitating the cleaning of excrement;

[0017] Camera: placed on the side of the ladder runway and above the support rod, used for recording the movement of the mouse on the ladder runway and subsequent analysis;

[0018] Support rod: placed on the side of the ladder runway and below the camera, used for stabilizing the camera;

[0019] Lamp: placed at one end of the ladder runway, used for guiding the mouse to move unidirectionally by using the dark instinct of the mouse.

[0020] Through the aforementioned structural design, this device effectively restricts lateral escape for mice climbing the horizontal ladder track and guides them along a predetermined path. By placing a light at one end of the track and a dark box at the other, the mouse's instinct for darkness is utilized to encourage unidirectional movement, thereby enabling more sensitive and effective measurement of its motor coordination ability.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment of this application:

[0022] The horizontal runway is 70cm long.

[0023] The horizontal runway's walkway is made of metal wire;

[0024] The rectangular baffle is made of smooth, transparent acrylic sheet;

[0025] The rectangular support frame is made of plastic.

[0026] The rectangular darkroom was composed of five black plastic panels pieced together.

[0027] The fixed walkway has a rod-shaped structure made of stainless steel threaded metal rods, which are 1m long and 8mm in diameter. The distance between two metal rods is 3cm, and both ends are supported on the bracket.

[0028] The walkway is made of aluminum wires with a diameter of 5mm and a spacing of 1cm between each wire;

[0029] The rectangular baffle is 80cm long, 20cm wide, and 3mm thick.

[0030] The rectangular support is 20cm long, 18cm wide, and 50cm high.

[0031] The camera obscura is 20cm long, 18cm wide, and 15cm high.

[0032] The horizontal runway has buckles formed by bending aluminum wire at its four corners, and two baffles are inserted vertically into the buckles for fixation.

[0033] The rectangular tray is 70cm long, 5cm wide, and 2cm high.

[0034] The support rod is placed horizontally at the bottom, with both ends connected to the cuboid bracket. One support rod is placed vertically on the bottom rod. The bottom support rod is 1m long, 5cm wide, and 2cm high. The vertical support rod is 48cm long, 5cm wide, and 2cm high.

[0035] The camera was placed 60cm to the side of the horizontal ladder runway.

[0036] The light is a 30W incandescent bulb;

[0037] This application underwent experimental testing. During the test, mice were placed at the starting point of a horizontal ladder track 1, and camera 4 recorded the process from when one of the mouse's forelimbs crossed the starting point until its hind limbs were fully inside the dark box 3. The video data was analyzed using software to assess the number of gait errors and the time taken to cross track 1. This data could also be analyzed blinded by researchers who labeled and analyzed the video. The test results showed that this device has a simple structure, is sensitive and effective in measuring mouse motor coordination, and can detect multiple behavioral indicators, thus significantly improving experimental efficiency.

[0038] Compared with the prior art, the technical effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0039] By optimizing the structure, the main body includes two metal threaded rods, which facilitates more secure winding and fixing of the metal wire, providing a sufficiently stable track for the mice. The distance between the two metal rods is the width of the horizontal ladder track, ensuring that the mice can move unidirectionally on the track and cannot turn around. The transparent and smooth acrylic baffles on both sides make it difficult for the mice to climb upwards, restricting the mice to crawling only on the horizontal ladder track, and allowing observation of the mice's climbing movements through the transparent baffles. A light is placed at one end of the horizontal ladder track and a dark box at the other end, taking advantage of the mice's attraction to darkness to facilitate unidirectional movement on the track. Supports are provided at both ends of the horizontal ladder track to ensure the track's suspension and stability, allowing the mice to quickly cross the track to the safe environment at the other end. A tray is placed at the bottom of the horizontal ladder track to reduce the mice's fear and to clean up their excrement. A camera is placed on the side of the horizontal ladder track to record images of the mice's movements for subsequent analysis. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the side structure of a mouse motor coordination ability assessment device when placed horizontally, as provided by this utility model;

[0041] Figure 2 A top view of a mouse motor coordination ability assessment device provided by this utility model; description of the markings and components involved in the drawings;

[0042] The markings in the diagram are: 1. Horizontal ladder track; 2. Baffle; 3. Buckle; 4. Camera; 5. Dark box; 6. Longitudinal support rod; 7. Bottom support rod; 8. Tray; 9. Bracket; 10. Light. Specific Implementation

[0043] To more clearly illustrate this utility model, the embodiments of this utility model are briefly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1

[0044] In existing technologies, methods for assessing motor dysfunction in CPZ mice mainly include the rotarod test and the balance beam test. While these behavioral tests are simple to perform and easy to obtain results from, they lack sufficient sensitivity to subtle changes in motor ability. For example, the rotarod test assesses motor ability by detecting the time it takes for the mouse to fall; the balance beam test assesses it by measuring the time it takes for the mouse to cross the balance beam. Neither of these methods can accurately evaluate the limb coordination of the mouse. Therefore, this invention provides a highly sensitive behavioral device that can detect motor coordination disorders and simultaneously assess multiple behavioral parameters.

[0045] This invention provides a mouse behavioral testing tool specifically designed to accurately assess the limb coordination of mice during movement.

[0046] Detailed technical implementation plan:

[0047] 1. Device Composition:

[0048] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this device includes: 1. a horizontal ladder track; 2. a baffle; 3. a buckle; 4. a camera; 5. a darkroom; 6. a longitudinal support rod; 7. a transverse support rod; 8. a tray; 9. a bracket; and 10. a light.

[0049] Horizontal ladder track 1: It consists of two 1-meter-long stainless steel threaded bars and 71 aluminum wires with a spacing of 1cm and a diameter of 5mm. The track is 70cm long and is suspended on support 2.

[0050] Baffle 2: A transparent acrylic plate, 80cm long, 20cm wide, and 3mm thick, located on both sides of track 1, to restrict the lateral movement of mice while facilitating observation.

[0051] Buckle 3: Formed by bending aluminum wire, used to fix the baffle to the four corners of runway 1.

[0052] Camera 4: Placed 60cm to the side of the horizontal ladder track 1, it is used to record mouse movement images and subsequent analysis.

[0053] Dark Box 5: Dimensions are 20cm×18cm×15cm. It is set at one end of track 1 to guide unidirectional movement by utilizing the mouse's attraction to darkness.

[0054] Longitudinal support rod 6: 48cm long, 5cm wide, 2cm high, used to fix camera 4.

[0055] Bottom support rod 7: 1m long, 5cm wide, 2cm high, fixed at both ends to bracket 9, used to fix the longitudinal support rod 6 and camera 4.

[0056] Tray 8: 70cm long, 5cm wide, and 2cm high. Placed below the horizontal ladder track 1, it helps reduce the mice's fear and makes it easier to clean up their excrement.

[0057] Support 9: 20cm long, 18cm wide, and 50cm high, ensuring the stability of track 1 and enabling mice to quickly pass through to the other end.

[0058] Lamp 10: Incandescent lamp with a power of 30W, which utilizes the mouse's attraction to darkness and is set at one end of track 1 to guide unidirectional movement.

[0059] Test process:

[0060] During the test, mice were placed at the starting point of a horizontal ladder track 1, and camera 4 recorded the process from when one of the mouse's forelimbs crossed the starting point until its hind limbs were fully inside the dark box 3. The video data was analyzed by software to assess the number of gait errors and the time taken to cross track 1. This data could also be analyzed blinded by researchers who would label and analyze the video.

[0061] The mouse behavioral testing tool provided by this invention effectively detected motor impairments in CPZ mice, demonstrating their superior fine motor coordination abilities. Furthermore, the device's design supports the simultaneous acquisition of multiple behavioral parameters, greatly improving experimental efficiency.

Claims

1. A device for detecting the motor coordination ability of mice, characterized in that: The system includes a horizontal ladder track, two rectangular baffles, two cuboid supports, a cuboid dark box, a rectangular tray, two support rods, a camera, and a light. The horizontal ladder track is composed of two metal rods and metal wires. The rectangular baffles are located on both sides of the horizontal ladder track. The cuboid supports are positioned below both ends of the horizontal ladder track. The cuboid dark box is located on a support at one end of the horizontal ladder track. The rectangular tray is placed below the horizontal ladder track. The camera is located on the side of the horizontal ladder track, above the support rods. The two support rods are located on the side of the horizontal ladder track, below the camera. Buckles are installed at the four corners of the horizontal ladder track. The light is located at the other end of the horizontal ladder track.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the horizontal ladder track is 70cm; the buckles at the four corners of the horizontal ladder track are formed by bending metal wire, which are used to vertically insert and fix the two baffles.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal runway has 71 metal wires, with both ends of the wires wrapped and fixed to a metal rod; the diameter of the metal wires is 5mm, and the spacing between each metal wire is 1cm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectangular baffle is a transparent acrylic sheet; the rectangular baffle is 80cm long, 20cm wide, and 3mm thick.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cuboid support is made of plastic; the cuboid support is 20cm long, 18cm wide, and 50cm high.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectangular darkroom is composed of five black plastic panels; the rectangular darkroom is 20cm long, 18cm wide, and 15cm high.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectangular tray is made of stainless steel; the rectangular tray is 70cm long, 5cm wide, and 2cm high.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support rod is made of stainless steel; one of the support rods is placed horizontally at the bottom and connected to the rectangular support at both ends, and the other support rod is placed vertically on the bottom rod. The bottom support rod is 1m long, 5cm wide and 2cm high, and the vertical support rod is 48cm long, 5cm wide and 2cm high.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal rod is a stainless steel threaded rod, 1m in length and 8mm in diameter, with a 3cm gap between the two metal rods, and both ends are mounted on a support.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera is 60cm away from the side of the horizontal ladder track; the light is a 30W incandescent bulb.

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