WO2025042174A1 - System for experimenting whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for experimenting a whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior, enabling an intelligence experiment in which an experimental animal can navigate a path through whisker recognition, and animal training through whisker-based sensing ability. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system for experimenting a whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior may comprise: a plurality of movement passages of the experimental animal, coupled to form a shape similar to an overall shape of an athletic track; and a whisker stimulation device forming a side wall of the movement passage so as to have preset roughness.

Description

Animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation

The present invention relates to an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation, and more specifically, to an intelligent experiment in which an experimental animal can find its way through whisker recognition, and an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation in which an animal can learn through whisker detection ability.

In general, animal behavior is understood as the output of the nervous system due to internal or external stimuli. Animal behavior is a characteristic of aging, mental disorders, or metabolic diseases, and animal behavior experiments reveal important information about the physiological, neurocognitive, and emotional states of animals by observing their behavior.

In particular, automated systems and methods for performing animal cognitive behavior experiments have been commercialized, but most of them are animal cognitive behavior experiment systems that train mice through light or sound signals. In addition, there is a system that trains mice through the ability of mice to detect whiskers, but this trains mice by fixing the mice and touching rough sandpaper, etc., around the whiskers.

These systems have difficulties in animal cognitive behavioral experiments because when applying drugs and treatments that are effective for cognitive impairment to mice with cognitive impairment to verify the efficacy of the drugs and treatments, there is no significant difference in the learning achievement evaluation between mice that were administered the drugs and mice that were not administered the drugs.

In addition, the Y-Maze system, which was previously known as an animal cognitive behavior experiment, is an experimental device that can recognize the movement path of an animal in a maze in the shape of the letter Y and records the movement radius of rodents such as rats or hamsters.

This conventional Y-Maze system has the problem that it cannot conduct an intelligent test in which the rats find their way by recognizing some stimulus with their whiskers, as the rats freely roam around to find their way, rather than finding their way by recognizing some stimulus with their whiskers.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to solve a technical problem of providing an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation, which enables intelligent experiments in which an experimental animal can find its way through whisker recognition, and can teach the animal through the whisker detection ability of the experimental animal moving freely.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the contents described above, and other problems and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and will be more clearly known by the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art will easily understand that the problems and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

As a means for solving the above technical problem, the present invention,

A first straight passage formed so that the experimental subject animal can move;

A second arc-shaped passageway, which is connected to one end of the first passageway and has both ends curved toward the other end of the first passageway so that the experimental subject animal can move to either side of the one end of the first passageway;

A third arc-shaped passageway, which is connected to the other end of the first passageway and has both ends curved toward one end of the first passageway so that the experimental subject animal can move to either side of one end of the first passageway;

A straight fourth passage formed parallel to the first passage and having two ends each connected to one end of the second passage and one end of the third passage;

A straight fifth passage formed parallel to the first passage and having two ends each connected to the other end of the second passage and the other end of the third passage;

A plurality of whisker stimulation devices each forming a portion of both side walls of the first passage, a portion of one side wall of the fourth passage, and a portion of one side wall of the fifth passage, the roughness of the portions of the side walls being selectively changed;

A whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavioral experiment system including a whisker is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of whisker stimulation devices may include a square pillar having sandpaper having different roughnesses attached to a side surface; and a rotational driving unit that rotates the square pillar about a height axis to provide the sandpaper attached to the side surface to the side wall.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of whisker stimulation devices may further include a position recognition disk having a center disposed on the rotational axis of the square pillar and rotating together when the square pillar rotates, and having a different number of blocks formed on the surface thereof at 90-degree angles corresponding to each side of the square pillar; and a light reflection sensor that detects the number of blocks disposed on the position recognition disk and enables recognition of a side disposed as the side wall.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of whisker devices may arrange sandpaper having the same roughness on the sidewall of the fourth passage and the sidewall of the first passage closer to the fourth passage, and may arrange sandpaper having the same roughness on the sidewall of the fifth passage and the sidewall of the first passage closer to the fifth passage, but may arrange sandpaper having different roughness on the two sidewalls of the first passage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, one end of the first passage becomes an experiment start section into which the experimental subject animal is introduced, a section of the first passage where side walls are provided by the plurality of whisker stimulation devices becomes a whisker detection section, parts of the fourth passage and the fifth passage become reward/punishment sections, and a plurality of sliding doors for opening/blocking the passage and a plurality of infrared sensors for recognizing whether the sliding doors are operating can be arranged in each section to prevent the initiation of movement and reversal of the experimental subject animal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a feed inlet may be installed in the reward/punishment section to provide food as a reward when the experimental subject animal moves in the direction of a preset roughness.

As another means for solving the above technical problem, the present invention comprises:

A living space that allows the test subject to move freely;

A stimulation transmission unit provided on one or both sides of the above living space and capable of providing a stimulation surface with different levels of stimulation to the test subject through rotation;

A sensor unit that detects that the test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit;

An electrical stimulation unit that applies electrical stimulation to the test subject; and

A control unit capable of controlling the rotation of the stimulation transmission unit and the electric stimulation of the electric stimulation unit based on data collected from the sensor unit;

A whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavioral experiment system including a whisker is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the living space section includes a mobile that is placed in front of the stimulus transmission section or on the top of the living space section to attract the subject to the stimulus transmission section, and the control section can control the mobile based on data collected from the sensor section.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the living space section further includes a treadmill at the bottom for bringing the test subject closer to the stimulus transmission section, and the control section can control the treadmill based on data collected from the sensor section.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit includes a laser sensor arranged in front of the stimulus transmission unit, and the laser sensor can detect that the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit further includes a load cell provided inside the stimulus transmission unit, and the load cell can detect that the test subject is in contact with the stimulus transmission unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further includes: a camera disposed in front of the stimulus delivery unit or on the upper side of the living space unit and collecting an image of a subject coming into contact with the stimulus delivery unit; a memory including a deep learning model trained with a plurality of data sets including a plurality of rat images and detection results of a rat whisker object coming into contact with the stimulus delivery unit in the rat images; and a processor determining the subject whisker object coming into contact with the stimulus delivery unit from the images of the subject coming into contact with the stimulus delivery unit collected by the camera based on the deep learning model; and the control unit can control the rotation of the stimulus delivery unit and control the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit based on the data determined by the processor.

According to the O-Maze system and control method for the animal cognitive behavior experiment based on the above whisker stimulation, learning can be achieved by stimulating the whiskers of a rat in a freely moving environment, and therefore, it can be differentiated from the conventional Y-Maze system in that intelligent experiments are possible.

In particular, since no research has been conducted to stimulate the whiskers of mice while they are freely moving, thereby teaching mice, the O-MAZE system for animal cognitive behavior experiments has a wide range of ripple effects that can be utilized universally by researchers studying cognitive behavior as well as the development of brain-nerve therapeutic drugs and treatment techniques.

According to the above-mentioned animal cognitive behavior experiment automation system and method based on the rat whisker detection ability, there is an excellent effect of being able to teach a rat through the freely moving rat's whisker detection ability. Accordingly, the present invention can conduct an animal cognitive behavior experiment to verify the efficacy of drugs and treatment techniques that are effective for cognitive disorders by applying drugs and treatment techniques that are effective for cognitive disorders to rats with cognitive disorders.

The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to facilitate a better understanding of the technical idea of the present invention; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of a whisker stimulation device of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing in more detail the position recognition disk and the light reflection sensor among the whisker stimulation devices of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of a sliding door driving device of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating graphical user interface screens of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams illustrating the manual mode and the automatic mode, respectively, of the control method of the first embodiment of the animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of use of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 12 is a drawing showing in detail the stimulus transmission unit of the second embodiment of the animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing another form of a stimulus transmission unit of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 14 is a drawing showing an example of using a mobile in the second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an example of using a treadmill in a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 16 is a drawing showing an example of use of a laser sensor in a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing a load cell of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an additional configuration of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing the sequence of an experimental automation method according to a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experimental system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the sequence of steps for controlling the rotation of a stimulus transmission unit and the electrical stimulation of an electrical stimulation unit based on data collected from a sensor unit of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing the sequence of steps for detecting a subject's contact with a stimulus transmission unit in an experimental automation method according to a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experimental system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

The specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments described below are disclosed for the purpose of example only and can be implemented in various forms. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to a specific disclosed form, and the scope of the present specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives included in the technical idea.

Although the terms first or second may be used to describe various components, such terms should be construed only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

When it is said that a component is "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but should be understood to not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

The present invention can broadly include two embodiments. The first embodiment of the present invention relates to an O-Maze system for animal cognitive behavior experiments based on whisker stimulation, and the second embodiment of the present invention relates to an automated system for animal cognitive behavior experiments based on whisker stimulation.

First, the O-Maze system for animal cognitive behavior experiment based on whisker stimulation, which is the first embodiment of the present invention, and its control method are described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the O-Maze system for animal cognitive behavior experiments based on whisker stimulation according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a passageway (11 to 15) for an experimental animal having a shape similar to that of a track for track and field events, and whisker stimulation devices (21 to 24) that form side walls of the passageway to have a preset roughness.

An animal movement passage formed so that an experimental subject animal (e.g., a rat, hereinafter specifically used as an example of an experimental subject animal. However, the present invention is not limited to the specificity of the experimental subject animal) can move may include first to fifth passages (11 to 15).

The first passage (11) can be formed in a straight line in the center of the track in a direction corresponding to the straight main track of the athletics track.

The second passage (12) has a shape corresponding to the curved main track of a track and may be formed in an arc shape with both ends curved toward the other end of the first passage, connected to one end of the first passage (11) and having both ends of the first passage curved toward the other end of the first passage.

The third passage (13) is similar to the second passage (12) and is connected to the other end of the first passage (11) so that both ends of the other end of the first passage (11) can be formed in an arc shape with both ends bent toward one end of the first passage (11).

The fourth passage (14) is formed at a position corresponding to a straight track of a track and has two ends connected to one end of the second passage (12) and one end of the third passage (13), and can be formed parallel to the first passage (11).

The fifth passage (15) is formed at a location corresponding to the remaining straight path of the athletics track, has two ends connected to the other end of the second passage (12) and the other end of the third passage (13), and can be formed parallel to the first passage (11).

The whisker stimulation devices (21 to 24) may be arranged to form a portion of each of the two side walls of the first passage (11), a portion of one side wall of the fourth passage (14), and a portion of one side wall of the fifth passage (15).

The first whisker stimulation device (21) and the second whisker stimulation device (22) may be arranged to face each other on a portion of both side walls of the first passage (11). The third whisker stimulation device (23) may be arranged to form a portion of the side wall of the fourth passage (14), and the fourth whisker stimulation device (24) may be arranged to form a portion of the side wall of the fifth passage (15). Here, the first whisker stimulation device (21) and the second whisker stimulation device (22) may provide side walls having different roughnesses, the first whisker stimulation device (21) and the third whisker stimulation device (23) may provide side walls having the same roughness, and the second whisker stimulation device (22) and the fourth whisker stimulation device (24) may provide side walls having the same roughness.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of a whisker stimulation device of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating in more detail a position recognition disk and a light reflection sensor, etc., among the whisker stimulation devices of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the whisker stimulation device (21 to 24) may include a square pillar part (21100) having a bottom and a side surface and a rotation driving part that rotates the square pillar part (21100) about an axis in the height direction to provide one of the side surfaces of the square pillar part (2110) as a side wall of the passage.

The side surfaces of the square column (2110) may be attached with sandpaper having different roughnesses. The square column (2110) may be rotated about a height axis passing through its bottom surface as an axis of rotation, so that one of its side surfaces may be selected and provided as a part of the side wall of the passage.

A rotation driving unit for rotating a square pillar part (2110) may include a step motor (2120), a first pulley (2130) coupled to a rotation axis of the step motor (2120), a second pulley (2140) coupled to a rotation axis of the square pillar part (2110), and a timing belt (2150) that interconnects the first pulley (2130) and the second pulley (2140). The rotation driving unit may be installed on one bottom surface of the square pillar part (2110).

For more precise rotation and positioning of the square pillar part (2110), a position recognition disk (2160) having a different number of blocks for position recognition formed at 90 degrees corresponding to each side of the square pillar part (2110) on the surface thereof and a light reflection sensor (2170) that detects the blocks placed on the position recognition disk (2160) and enables recognition of a side of the side of the square pillar part (2110) that is placed as a side wall of a passageway may be provided.

A light reflection sensor (2170) can be installed in front of the surface of the position recognition disk (2160), and depending on the number of blocks reflected in the array of sensors for identifying blocks formed on the surface of the position recognition disk (2160), it can be determined which side of the side of the square pillar (2110) is located as the side wall of the passageway.

In case the position detection operation by light reflection is not performed smoothly, it is also possible to use a limit switch (2180) to check which side of the square pillar (2110) is located as the side wall of the passage through the value when the block installed on the disk operates the limit switch (2180).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the passage described above can be divided into an experiment start section, a whisker detection section, and a reward/punishment section. For example, the lower part of the first passage (11) illustrated in FIG. 1 can be the experiment start section, which is the section where the rat, which is the experimental subject, is first introduced to start its movement, and the upper part thereof, that is, the section of the first passage (11) where the side walls are provided by the whisker stimulation devices (21, 22), can be the whisker detection section, and a part of the fourth and fifth passages where the rat arrives after passing the whisker detection section and moving through the second passage (12) and then dividing the movement location, can be the reward/punishment section.

Each section may be provided with a plurality of upper and lower sliding doors capable of restricting the movement of the rat as needed, and a plurality of infrared sensors (41) for recognizing the operation of the sliding doors (31). For example, in order to prevent the rat from moving against the direction of movement in the rat's passageway, a total of nine sliding doors (31) that move in the upper and lower directions may be installed in consideration of each of the sections mentioned above.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of a sliding door driving device of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper/lower sliding door operates via a driving motor, and the sliding door driving assembly can be installed on the LM guide block and then operated via the driving motor. In this case, the door can be opened and closed by moving in the upper/lower direction within a certain range via a limit switch.

In the reward/punishment zone, a feed inlet (51) is placed so that food can be put in as a reward for a mouse that moves in the preset correct direction. When punishing a mouse that does not move in the preset correct direction, punishment can be carried out by confining the mouse in the reward/punishment zone for a certain period of time using a sliding door.

Animal cognitive behavior experiments using the O-Maze system for whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiments such as those described above can be performed as follows.

First, in order to pre-learn path exploration in experimental mice before conducting the experiment, all sliding doors can be opened and the mice can be allowed to move freely for a preset period of time (e.g., about 30 minutes).

Then, after the experimental preparation and setup are completed, the rats are placed in the start section and other external factors such as noise, light, and smell that may affect the experiment can be blocked.

Next, the mouse can learn by naturally touching the sandpaper surfaces on both sides while moving through the whisker detection section of the first passage (11). Of course, the sandpaper surfaces provided on the side of the first passage (11) forming the whisker detection section can be set to have surfaces with different roughnesses.

For example, based on the state illustrated in Fig. 1, it is assumed that the left side is set as a relatively rough side and the right side is set as a relatively soft side, and that the left direction, which has a relatively rough side, is set in advance as the correct direction, and conversely, the right direction, which has a soft side, is set in an incorrect direction.

At this time, when the rat has chosen the correct path, that is, the left path, i.e. the fourth passage (14), food can be provided to the food input port (51) of the reward/punishment section formed in the fourth passage (14) for a corresponding reward.

Conversely, when the rat chooses the wrong path, that is, the right path, i.e. the fifth passage (15), no reward food is provided as punishment, and the sliding door is closed to prevent the rat from going in the direction it is going, so that the rat is trapped in the fifth passage (15) for a set period of time set by the user.

The same process as described above is repeated for a preset total number of trials, and in case the rat's behavior is slow and it does not move within the passage within the preset total number of trials, the experiment end time can be preset so that the experiment ends after a certain experimental time has elapsed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating graphical user interface screens of a first embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Through a graphical user interface screen such as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user can directly input desired settings in the experiment.

In particular, through the screen for calibrating the experimental device as shown in Fig. 6, the user can align the origin of the whisker stimulation device or check whether each sliding door, infrared sensor, and feeding device are operating normally.

In addition, the real-time experimental screen illustrated in Fig. 7 shows the current location of the rat in real time, and when being punished, the color of the rat changes to inform the user of the situation in real time. The operating status window of Fig. 7 indicates whether each sliding door is open/closed/opening/error, and can show whether the infrared sensor is currently recognizing it, the current location status of the whisker stimulation device, etc.

In addition, the experimental setting window illustrated in Fig. 7 is a screen for setting values for conducting an experiment, and can set the number of repetitions required for the experiment (Repetitions), punishment time (Penalty), waiting time for the mouse to forget short-term memories (Waiting), time to end the experiment when a certain amount of time has elapsed (Time Limit), and can show the remaining time (Remain) of the current experiment.

Additionally, you can start the experiment through the Start button in Figure 7, initialize the O-Maze system through the Reset button, and terminate the program through the Exit button.

In addition, the experimental result values of Fig. 7 can display the time it takes for a mouse to run one lap (Lap time) and the average value of that time (Average time), and the number of attempts made so far (Trial) and the number of times the mouse went on the correct path at that time (Success) and the rate (Rate) can be displayed as numbers, and the status display window can display in real time the current status of the O-Maze system's operation.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams illustrating the manual mode and the automatic mode, respectively, of the control method of the first embodiment of the animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

First, the manual mode illustrated in Fig. 8 is for rats to learn the passages of the O-Maze system in advance during an animal cognitive behavior experiment using the O-MAZE system.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, the manual mode starts by initializing the O-Maze system, opening all sliding doors within the O-Maze system, placing a test mouse and allowing the mouse to learn the path of the O-Maze for a period of time input by the user. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the manual mode can be terminated by closing all doors and excluding the mouse from the O-Maze system.

The control method of the automatic mode illustrated in FIG. 9 is for a whisker stimulation recognition experiment. First, the O-Maze system is initialized and set up, and a plurality of whisker stimulation devices (21 to 24) are set up so that the side wall (14) of the fourth passage and one side wall of the first passage (11) closer to the fourth passage (14) have the same roughness, and the side wall of the fifth passage (15) and one side wall of the first passage (11) closer to the fifth passage (15) have the same roughness, but the two side walls of the first passage (11) have different roughnesses.

Next, the rat can be introduced into the starting section, which is one end of the first passage (11), and the starting sliding door can be opened to allow the rat to enter the whisker detection section.

Next, when the rat passes through the whisker detection section of the first passage (11), the rat is made to recognize the roughness of the sandpaper surface on both side walls as whiskers, and if the rat moves in the direction of the preset roughness (correct direction) and moves to the fourth passage (14) or fifth passage (15), food is provided as a reward, and if the rat moves in the opposite direction of the preset roughness (incorrect direction), the rat is punished by being confined so that it cannot move for a preset period of time.

Next, the steps of setting up the whisker stimulation device can be repeated to re-perform the roughness (sandpaper surface) placed on each side wall of the whisker stimulation section and the reward/punishment section, and the rat can be made to re-enter the start section to perform the next round of the experiment.

In the step of setting the whisker stimulation device, the completion time when the rat performs one round and returns to the starting section is divided by 2, and when the remainder is 0, the previous setting state of the whisker stimulation device is maintained, and when the remainder is 1, the backing surface is changed, so that the backing surface can be randomly placed on the side wall.

The results of an animal cognitive behavior experiment performed by the system and control method described above can be expressed in the form of data including the number of times the rat performed the experiment in the O-Maze system, the start time (hour/minute/second) at which the number of times the rat performed the experiment, the time (seconds) required for the rat to circle the O-Maze system once, an indication of the path the rat moved, and a true or false value for whether the rat moved in the correct direction.

Based on these experimental results, the efficacy can be verified by examining how quickly the rats adapted to the O-Maze system and performed this experiment through the average value of the time it took for the rats to complete one turn (Lap Time) and comparing the rats that were administered drugs or brain stimulation with those that were not.

Additionally, the efficacy of a drug or brain stimulation can be determined based on the results of how many times the rats that were administered drugs or brain stimulation moved in the correct direction compared to the rats that were not.

The operation or control of the system as described above can be performed by a microcontroller in which an algorithm for the operation or control is coded in advance.

As described above, the O-MAZE system for animal cognitive behavior experiments, which is the first embodiment of the present invention, is a device that stimulates the whiskers of a rat in a freely moving environment to learn, and can be used as a device that is differentiated in that it enables intelligent experiments compared to the conventional Y-Maze system.

Since no research has been conducted to stimulate the whiskers of mice while they are freely moving around to learn, the O-MAZE system for animal cognitive behavior experiments according to an embodiment of the present invention has a ripple effect that can be universally utilized by researchers studying cognitive behavior as well as the development of brain-nerve therapeutic drugs and treatment techniques.

Next, a detailed description is given of an automated animal cognitive behavior experiment system and method based on whisker detection ability, which can teach a freely moving experimental subject (rat) through its whisker detection ability, which is a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, an automated animal cognitive behavior experiment system (100) based on rat whisker detection ability according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a living space unit (200), a stimulus transmission unit (300), a sensor unit (400), an electrical stimulation unit (500), and a control unit (600).

The living space (200) can provide a space in which the subject can move freely. The existing animal cognition behavioral experiment system based on rat whisker detection ability conducted the experiment while the subject was fixed, but the animal cognition behavioral experiment system (100) based on rat whisker detection ability according to the embodiment of the present invention can ensure free movement of the subject by providing the living space (200).

The stimulation transmission unit (300) is provided on one or both sides and can provide stimulation surfaces with different stimulation levels to the test subject by rotating. The stimulation surfaces with different stimulation levels can be composed of multiple sandpapers with different roughnesses. In addition, the stimulation surfaces with different stimulation levels can include all materials having roughness. The stimulation surfaces with different stimulation levels contact the rat's whiskers to transmit stimulation to the rat.

The sensor unit (400) can detect when the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit. The sensor unit (400) can include all means that can detect when the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit. For example, there are load cells (pressure sensors), laser detection sensors, pressure-sensitive diodes, diaphragms, and strain gauges.

The electric stimulation unit (500) may be provided in the living space unit (200) so as to apply an electric stimulus to the subject. More specifically, the electric stimulation unit (500) may be provided in the form of a conductive metal wire or metal plate on the floor surface on which the subject moves within the living space unit (200), and an electric stimulus may be provided to the subject by applying an electric current to the metal wire or metal plate. The electric stimulation unit (500) may control voltage and current according to the purpose of the experiment. This is to allow the subject to learn according to the roughness by applying an electric stimulus after the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300) and recognizes the stimulus. Such learning may be useful when testing the cognitive behavioral ability of rats.

The control unit (600) can control the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electric stimulation of the electric stimulation unit (500) based on the data collected from the sensor unit (400). The control unit (600) can include all means capable of controlling the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electric stimulation unit (500). For example, there are embedded controllers, personal computers, PLCs (programmable logic control), etc. Hereinafter, the living space unit (200) and the stimulus transmission unit (300) will be described.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing an example of use of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, FIG. 12 is a drawing showing in detail a stimulus transmission unit of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a drawing showing another form of a stimulus transmission unit of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 11, the living space (200) may include a partition wall. This is to guide the stimulus transmission unit (300) to a nearby stimulus transmission unit (300) when the stimulus transmission unit (300) is provided on both sides of the living space (200).

Referring to FIG. 12, the stimulus transmission unit (300) includes a step motor, a coupling, a timing pulley, an idler, and a timing belt.

A stepper motor can generate torque depending on the input.

The coupling, timing pulley, idler and timing belt can transmit the torque of the stepper motor to the excitation transmission unit (300).

The stimulation surfaces with different stimulation levels can be divided into relatively rough and smooth surfaces. Due to this configuration, the stimulation transmission unit (300) can selectively provide the rough and smooth surfaces to the subject depending on the rotation.

Referring to Fig. 13, the stimulus transmitting unit (300) may have a three-dimensional shape. This three-dimensional shape is in consideration of the habits of rats. This is because rats have a tendency to like dark and cornered places. Below, the mobile (210) that guides the test subject to the stimulus transmitting unit (300) and the treadmill (220) that brings the subject closer will be described.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an example of using a mobile in a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an example of using a treadmill in a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the mobile (210) is included in the living space (200) and can be placed at the front end of the stimulus transmission unit (300) or the top of the living space (200). The mobile (210) can attract a test subject to the stimulus transmission unit (300). The mobile (210) can include any means capable of attracting mice. For example, there are pheromones, feed, etc. capable of attracting mice. The mobile (210) can be controlled by a control signal of the control unit (600).

Referring to FIG. 15, a treadmill (220) is included at the bottom of the living space (200) and is driven by receiving a control signal from the control unit (600) so as to allow the subject to approach the stimulus transmission unit (300).

The mobile (210) and treadmill (220) described in FIGS. 14 and 15 are provided to lure a rat, which is a test subject, to the stimulus delivery unit (300) or to allow it to move easily. The control unit (600) can drive the mobile (210) and treadmill (220) by outputting a control signal when the rat does not approach and contact the stimulus delivery unit (300) for a preset period of time.

Below, the laser sensor (410) and load cell (420), which are components of the sensor unit (400), will be examined.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an example of use of a laser sensor in a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a load cell in a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, a laser sensor (410) is included in the sensor unit (400) and can be placed in front of the stimulus transmission unit (300). The laser sensor (410) can detect when a test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300). Data detected and generated by the laser sensor (410) is transmitted to the control unit (600).

Referring to Fig. 17, the load cell (420) is included in the sensor unit (400) and may be provided inside the stimulus transmission unit (300). The load cell (420) can detect that the subject is in contact with the stimulus transmission unit. The data detected and generated by the load cell (420) is transmitted to the control unit (600). Hereinafter, a configuration for determining whether the subject's beard has contacted the stimulus transmission unit (300) will be described.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an additional configuration of a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, an automated animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on rat whisker detection ability according to an embodiment of the invention may further include a camera, a memory, and a processor.

The camera can be placed at the front end of the stimulus transmitting unit (300) or the top of the living space unit (200) to collect images of mice that come into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit (300). The camera can include any means capable of collecting images. For example, there are compact cameras, SLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, etc.

The memory may include a deep learning model trained with a plurality of data sets including a plurality of rat images and detection results of rat whisker objects that contacted the stimulus transmitting unit (300) in the rat images. The memory is a computer-readable recording medium and may include a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), and a permanent mass storage device such as a disk drive. In addition, an operating system or at least one program code may be stored in the memory. These software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory. This separate computer-readable recording medium may include a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, etc.

The processor can determine the subject whisker object that has contacted the stimulus transmitting unit (300) from the subject image that has contacted the stimulus transmitting unit (300) collected by the camera based on the deep learning model. To this end, the processor can perform deep learning-based processing by executing a command. The processor may be a hardware-implemented processing device having a circuit having a physical structure for executing desired operations. For example, the desired operations may include code or instructions included in a program. For example, the hardware-implemented processing device may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a processor core, a multi-core processor, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a neural processing unit (NPU), and the like. Instructions and program codes executed by the processor can be stored in memory.

The control unit (600) can control the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit (500) based on the data determined by the processor. With only the laser sensor (410) and the load cell (420), there is a problem in that the control unit (400) controls the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit (500) when a part other than the beard of the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300). If the control is performed using the data determined by the processor, the control unit (400) can control the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit (500) only when the beard of the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300).

Meanwhile, the present invention may be expressed as an automated method for animal cognition behavior experiment based on rat whisker detection ability, which is illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21, in the category of other inventions that perform similar operations. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the automated method for animal cognition behavior experiment based on rat whisker detection ability will be described in an embodiment of the present invention using the system of FIGS. 10 to 18. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be performed through various devices, systems, or terminals capable of performing similar operations or processing.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the sequence of an experimental automation method according to a second embodiment of an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the sequence of steps for controlling the rotation of a stimulus transmission unit and the electrical stimulation of an electrical stimulation unit based on data collected from a sensor unit of the second embodiment of the animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the sequence of steps for detecting that a subject contacts a stimulus transmission unit in an experimental automation method according to the second embodiment of the animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 19, in the automated animal cognitive behavior experiment based on the rat whisker detection ability according to the embodiment of the present invention, the subject moves freely in the living space (200) (S101). The subject may come into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300) while moving freely.

Afterwards, when the test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit (300), the sensor unit (400) can detect that the test subject is coming into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit (300) (S103). The sensor unit (400) can collect data based on the detection result.

Next, based on the data collected from the sensor unit (400), the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electric stimulation of the electric stimulation unit (500) are controlled (S105). The control unit (600) generates a control signal and transmits it to the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electric stimulation unit (500). Specifically, when the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300), a control signal for rotating the stimulus transmission unit (300) and a control signal for generating an electric stimulation of the electric stimulation unit (500) are generated and transmitted to the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electric stimulation unit (500).

Next, the stimulus transmission unit (300) rotates based on the control signal of the control unit (400) to provide a stimulus surface with different stimulation levels to the test subject (S107).

Thereafter, the electric stimulation unit (500) electrically stimulates the test subject based on the control signal of the control unit (400) (S109). As a result, the stimulation surface of the stimulation transmission unit (300) with different stimulation levels contacts the rat's whiskers, causing the rat to recognize the stimulation, and then applying the electric stimulation, thereby causing the test subject to learn according to the roughness. Below, the detailed steps of the control step (S105) will be examined.

Referring to FIG. 20, the step of controlling the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit and the electric stimulation of the electric stimulation unit based on the data collected from the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that if the subject does not contact the stimulus transmission unit (300), the control unit (400) controls the mobile (210) (S1051).

Thereafter, the mobile (210) guides the subject to the stimulus transmission unit (300) based on the control signal of the control unit (400) (1052).

Next, if the subject does not come into contact with the stimulus transmission unit despite the operation of the mobile (210), the control unit (400) controls the treadmill (220) (S1053).

Thereafter, the treadmill (220) brings the subject to the stimulus transmission unit (300) based on the control signal of the control unit (400) (S1054). This allows for preparation for the case where the freely moving subject does not come into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300). Below, the detailed steps of the detection step (S103) will be examined.

Referring to FIG. 21, the step of detecting that a test subject comes into contact with a stimulus transmitting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is that a laser sensor (410) detects that the test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit (300) (S1031).

Afterwards, the load cell (420) detects that the test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300) (S1032)

Next, the camera collects images of the subject in contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300) (S1033). The collected images of the subject are transmitted to the processor.

Next, the processor determines the subject whisker object that contacted the stimulus transmitting unit (300) from the subject image collected by the camera based on the deep learning model (S1034).

Next, the control unit (400) controls the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit (500) based on the data determined by the processor. With only the laser sensor (410) and the load cell (420), there is a problem in that the control unit (400) controls the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit (500) when a part other than the beard of the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300). If the control is performed using the data determined by the processor, the control unit (400) can control the rotation of the stimulus transmission unit (300) and the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit (500) only when the beard of the subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit (300).

Claims (12)

A first straight passage formed so that the experimental subject animal can move; A second arc-shaped passageway, which is connected to one end of the first passageway and has both ends curved toward the other end of the first passageway so that the experimental subject animal can move to either side of the one end of the first passageway; A third arc-shaped passageway, which is connected to the other end of the first passageway and has both ends curved toward one end of the first passageway so that the experimental subject animal can move to either side of one end of the first passageway; A straight fourth passage formed parallel to the first passage and having two ends each connected to one end of the second passage and one end of the third passage; A straight fifth passage formed parallel to the first passage and having two ends each connected to the other end of the second passage and the other end of the third passage; A plurality of whisker stimulation devices each forming a portion of both side walls of the first passage, a portion of one side wall of the fourth passage, and a portion of one side wall of the fifth passage, the roughness of the portions of the side walls being selectively changed; An animal cognitive behavioral experimental system based on whisker stimulation including: In claim 1, each of the plurality of whisker stimulation devices comprises: A square column having sandpaper of different roughness attached to the side; and A whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiment system characterized by including a rotation driving unit that rotates the square pillar part about a height axis to provide a sheet of paper attached to the side to the side wall. In claim 2, each of the plurality of whisker stimulation devices comprises: A position recognition disk having its center placed on the rotation axis of the square pillar and rotating together with the square pillar when it rotates, and having a different number of blocks formed on its surface at 90-degree angles corresponding to each side of the square pillar; and A whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiment system characterized by further including a light reflection sensor that detects the number of blocks arranged on the above-mentioned position recognition disk and enables recognition of a surface arranged on the side wall. In claim 2, the plurality of whisker devices, A whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiment system, characterized in that sandpaper having the same roughness is placed on the side wall of the fourth passage and a side wall of the first passage closer to the fourth passage, and sandpaper having the same roughness is placed on the side wall of the fifth passage and a side wall of the first passage closer to the fifth passage, while sandpaper having different roughnesses is placed on both side walls of the first passage. In claim 1, One end of the above first passage becomes the experimental start section into which the experimental subject animal is introduced, Among the above first passages, the section in which the side walls are provided by the plurality of whisker stimulation devices becomes a whisker detection section. The above 4th passage and part of the above 5th passage will be the compensation/punishment section. A whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiment system characterized in that a plurality of sliding doors for opening/blocking the passageway and a plurality of infrared sensors for recognizing whether the sliding doors are in operation are arranged for each section to prevent movement initiation and regression of the experimental subject animal. In claim 5, in the compensation/punishment section, An animal cognitive behavioral experiment system based on whisker stimulation, characterized in that a food inlet is installed to inject food as a reward when the experimental subject animal moves in the direction of a preset roughness. A living space that allows the test subject to move freely; A stimulation transmission unit provided on one or both sides of the above living space and capable of providing a stimulation surface with different levels of stimulation to the test subject through rotation; A sensor unit that detects that the test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmission unit; An electrical stimulation unit that applies electrical stimulation to the test subject; and A control unit that controls the rotation of the stimulation transmission unit and the electric stimulation of the electric stimulation unit based on the data collected from the sensor unit; An animal cognitive behavioral experimental system based on whisker stimulation including: In claim 7, The above living space section includes a mobile that is placed in front of the stimulus transmission section or on the top of the living space section and attracts the test subject to the stimulus transmission section. The above control unit is an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation that controls the mobile based on data collected from the above sensor unit. In claim 7, The above living space section further includes a treadmill at the bottom for approaching the test subject to the stimulus transmission section, The above control unit is an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation that controls the treadmill based on data collected from the sensor unit. In claim 7, The above sensor part includes a laser sensor placed in front of the stimulus transmission part, The above laser sensor is an animal cognitive behavior experiment system based on whisker stimulation that detects when the test subject comes into contact with the stimulation transmission unit. In claim 7, The above sensor part further includes a load cell provided inside the stimulus transmission part, The above load cell is a whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiment system that detects when the test subject comes into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit. In claim 7, A camera placed at the front of the above-mentioned stimulus transmitting unit or at the top of the above-mentioned living space unit and collecting images of a subject that has come into contact with the above-mentioned stimulus transmitting unit; A memory including a deep learning model trained with a plurality of data sets including a plurality of rat images and detection results of rat whisker objects that contacted the stimulus transmitting portion in the rat images; and A processor that determines a whisker object of a subject that has come into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit from an image of the subject that has come into contact with the stimulus transmitting unit collected by the camera based on a deep learning model; Including more, The above control unit is a whisker stimulation-based animal cognitive behavior experiment system that controls the rotation of the stimulation transmission unit and controls the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation unit based on the data determined by the processor.

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