Validation of a new system for the automatic registration of behaviour in mice and rats

A newly developed behaviour registration system, Laboratory Animal Behaviou r Observation, Registration and Analysis System (LABORAS) for the automatic registration of different behavioural elements of mice and rats was valida ted. The LABORAS sensor platform records vibrations evoked by animal moveme nts and the LABORAS software translates these into the corresponding behavi ours. Data obtained by using LABORAS were compared with data from conventio nal observation methods (observations of videotapes by human observers). Th e results indicate that LABORAS is a reliable system for the automated regi stration of eating, drinking, grooming, climbing, resting and locomotion of mice during a prolonged period of time. In rats, grooming, locomotion and resting also met the pre-defined validation criteria. The system can reduce observation labour and time considerably. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.