A NEW METHOD OF MONITORING MOTOR-ACTIVITY IN BABOONS

Movement activity of a normal baboon and of a baboon with induced Park insonism by unilateral administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tet rahydropyrine (MPTP) was recorded by the Waiter Reed Activity Monitor (or actigraph). Mean activity in the lesioned baboon was 41% less than that of the nonlesioned baboon measured over a 14-day period. In addi tion, the daily maximum activity value was significantly less in the M PTP-treated baboon. Moreover, resting and sleeping periods were 30% gr eater in the lesioned animal. The akinesia and resting and sleeping pe riods were displayed by the lesioned baboon throughout the day, wherea s the control baboon showed them only at night. The data representing summarized movement activity are in accordance with observations of br adykinesia, hypokinesia, and akinesia of the MPTP-treated baboon. The actigraph was well tolerated by the animal because its small size and weight made it largely unobtrusive. We suggest that the actigraph is a n appropriate device for measuring motor activity in nonhuman primates .