Open-source, low cost, free-behavior monitoring and reward system for neuroscience research in non-human primates

 

Here we provide source software for a novel system to enhance free-behavior experiments. Our approach allows for short-latency (500ms) reward delivery and behavior monitoring using off-the-shelf, low-cost components. Further, our method takes the first steps toward fully describing a monkey's natural behavior in its home environment, through an automated motion capture system. We have modified the Neurochip to wirelessly trigger a feeder to provide short-latency rewards contingent on the monkey's neural activity. Additionally, we have developed novel algorithms for monitoring the animal's behavior using the Microsoft Kinect, a motion tracking camera system.

 

A full system description, including system schematics and examples of the system in use, can be found in an upcoming Frontier's Neuroscience publication.

 

Libey T & EE Fetz, "Open-source, low cost, free-behavior monitoring and reward system for neuroscience research in non-human primates." Frontiers Neuroscience. In Review 2017

 

 

Arduino Controllers

 

The system uses two Arduino Unos to control audio feedback, a pellet dispenser, and event syncing with a nearby laptop.

 

Free-Behavior-Arduino-Hub-Controllers-master.zip

 

 

C#/WPF Kinect Controller

 

A nearby laptop can utilize a Microsoft Kinect to track behavior in real time and calculate an estimate of gross movement.

 

KinectBehaviorMonitorV2-master.zip

 

All software is provided through an MIT open-source license (below). You are free to download, modify, and utilize this software for your own research. We only ask that if you do, you cite the Frontier's publication as reference.

 

There are many areas in which this work can be expanded upon and improved.

 

• The GMV value calculated in the provided C# code is crude at best and was developed using a relatively slow computer and the first generation Kinect. Improving the GMV calculation or creating new measures using advances in computer vision would greatly aid the field, but are outside the scope of this original work.
• The Arduino controllers utilize a very basic RF protocol that we adapted to our needs. New advances in wireless communication technology, and the commercialization of low cost bluetooth, wifi, and ANT chips could greatly improve the fidelity of information transfered between a head mounted recording device and an external controller.
• Additional perepherals, such as wireless accelerometers, heart rate monitors, or in cage tasks (button presses, level pulls, etc), could easily be added to this ecosystem.

 

If you have any questions regarding the use of this software, please feel free to reach out.

 

 

Full License Text

 

MIT License Copyright (c) 2017 Tyler Libey Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.