Name: an automated rapid iterative negative geotaxis assay for analyzing adult climbing behavior in a drosophila model of neurodegeneration
Uploaded: 2017-09-12T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An Automated Rapid Iterative Negative Geotaxis Assay for Analyzing Adult Climbing Behavior in a Drosophila Model of Neurodegeneration at JoVE.com

We thank the Bloomington Stock Center and the Vienna Drosophila RNAi Center for fly stocks. The patent for the RING apparatus belongs to Shanghai Advanced Research institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Requests for the RflyDetection software should be made to Fu-de Huang (see author list). This work was supported by grants from National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program 2013CB945602) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270825 and 31171043). We thank Ho lab members for discussion and comments.

1. Fly Collection
<ol>
	<li>Maintain the flies on standard fly food at 25 &#176;C, 70% humidity, and a 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle.</li>
	<li>Collect UAS-Dicer2; DDC-GAL4 fly virginsunder carbon dioxide (CO2) anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Cross these virgins to 2 day old adult male flies carrying the following genotypes: UAS-mCD8GFP (control), auxR16182 (aux RNAi), auxGFP (aux overexpression), and auxR16182; auxGFP (rescue), with a m...

<ol>
	<li>Ali, Y. O., Escala, W., Ruan, K., Zhai, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assaying+locomotor,+learning,+and+memory+deficits+in+Drosophila+models+of+neurodegeneration.">Assaying locomotor, learning, and memory deficits in Drosophila models of neurodegeneration.</a> J Vis Exp. (49), (2011).</li><li>Nichols, C. D., Becnel, J., Pandey, U. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+to+assay+Drosophila+behavior.">Methods to assay Drosophila behavior.</a> J Vis Exp. (61), (2012).</li><li>Madabattula, S. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+Analysis+of+Climbing+Defects+in+a+Drosophila+Model+of+Neurodegenerative+Disorders.">Quantitative Analysis of Climbing Defects in a Drosophila Model of Neurodegenerative Disorders.</a> J Vis Exp. (100), e52741 (2015).</li><li>Podratz, J. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+automated+climbing+apparatus+to+measure+chemotherapy-induced+neurotoxicity+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">An automated climbing apparatus to measure chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Fly (Austin). 7 (3), 187-192 (2013).</li><li>Gargano, J. W., Martin, I., Bhandari, P., Grotewiel, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+iterative+negative+geotaxis+(RING):+a+new+method+for+assessing+age-related+locomotor+decline+in+Drosophila.">Rapid iterative negative geotaxis (RING): a new method for assessing age-related locomotor decline in Drosophila.</a> Exp Gerontol. 40 (5), 386-395 (2005).</li><li>Liu, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+rapid+iterative+negative+geotaxis+assay+and+its+use+in+a+genetic+screen+for+modifiers+of+Abeta(42)-induced+locomotor+decline+in+Drosophila.">Automated rapid iterative negative geotaxis assay and its use in a genetic screen for modifiers of Abeta(42)-induced locomotor decline in Drosophila.</a> Neurosci Bull. 31 (5), 541-549 (2015).</li><li>Shen, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SH2B1+is+Involved+in+the+Accumulation+of+Amyloid-beta42+in+Alzheimer's+Disease.">SH2B1 is Involved in the Accumulation of Amyloid-beta42 in Alzheimer's Disease.</a> J Alzheimers Dis. 55 (2), 835-847 (2017).</li><li>Song, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Auxilin+Underlies+Progressive+Locomotor+Deficits+and+Dopaminergic+Neuron+Loss+in+a+Drosophila+Model+of+Parkinson's+Disease.">Auxilin Underlies Progressive Locomotor Deficits and Dopaminergic Neuron Loss in a Drosophila Model of Parkinson's Disease.</a> Cell Rep. 18 (5), 1132-1143 (2017).</li><li>Zhang, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Downregulation+of+RBO-PI4KIII&#945;+Facilitates+A&#946;42+Secretion+and+Ameliorates+Neural+Deficits+in+A&#946;42-Expressing+Drosophila.">Downregulation of RBO-PI4KIII&#945; Facilitates A&#946;42 Secretion and Ameliorates Neural Deficits in A&#946;42-Expressing Drosophila.</a> J Neurosci. 37 (19), 4928-4941 (2017).</li><li>Riemensperger, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+single+dopamine+pathway+underlies+progressive+locomotor+deficits+in+a+Drosophila+model+of+Parkinson+disease.">A single dopamine pathway underlies progressive locomotor deficits in a Drosophila model of Parkinson disease.</a> Cell Rep. 5 (4), 952-960 (2013).</li></ol>

The automated RING assay described here enables a high-throughput analysis of fly negative geotaxis behavior for hundreds of flies simultaneously. Previously existing strategies for analyzing adult climbing involve observations of a single fly in an individual vial, and fly position is manually detected by eye. This rather tedious process might sometimes cause misreading or misinterpretation of data, as well as labor-intensive work. Our automated RING assay starts with a simple click, and the apparatus automatically sync...

A variety of protocols and methods have been developed for analyzing Drosophila adult climbing behavior. Rather laborious, the traditional analysis mostly involves putting a single fly into an individual vial and uses a manual force to tap flies down for synchronization1,2,3,4. It is tedious and time consuming, unsuitable for large high-throughput studies, and has potential variations of the manual force used to tap down the flies as well as other limitations. To improve the assay, a Rapid Iterative Negative Geotaxis (RING) assay was developed which allows high-throughput analysis over numerous flies at the same time5. However, the assay still requires a manually exerting force to synchronize fly action. Our version of the RING assay, revised upon the previous assay, includes a metal base hosting multiple fly-containing vials automatically controlled by an electric motor to drive fly synchronization6. Upon recording, the fly climbing immediately after synchronization is recorded then analyzed using a self-designed software. Our automated RING assay has eliminated the tedious and labor-intensive process in collecting data from a single fly, one at a time, and enabled the data acquisition process to be more efficient. In addition, the automated RING assay has been employed in a number of studies to elucidate the mechanism underlying Alzheimer&#39;s and Parkinson&#39;s Disease, validating the approach with high efficiency7,8,9.
In this article, we demonstrate the automated RING assay using the DDC-Gal4 driven RNAi flies. DDC-Gal4 is a Gal4 line specifically expressing in dopaminergic (DA) and serotonergic neurons, thus representing a great tool for analyzing the target gene effects associated with locomotor deficits accompanying neurodegeneration10. In addition, we incorporate UAS-Dicer2, a fly line that enhances RNAi efficiency, to generate the UAS-Dicer2; DDC-Gal4 tool line. The RNAi flies we choose to use is the auxilin (aux) RNAi v16182 (auxR16182), a gene that we have previously identified to exhibit an effect on fly locomotor activity8. auxGFP flies are also prepared for analyzing effects upon aux overexpression. We will show how to use the automated RING assay to measure fly negative geotaxis, present the results, and discuss any implications acquired from the results.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Forma Environmental Chamber</td>
			<td>Thermo&#160;</td>
			<td>3949</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbon dioxide cylinders</td>
			<td>FuLian GAS Technology</td>
			<td>GB/T6052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HDR-Camcorder</td>
			<td>SONY</td>
			<td>HDR-CX220E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Binocular stereomicroscope</td>
			<td>Xin Zhen</td>
			<td>SMZ-168BL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electronic scales</td>
			<td>MinQiao</td>
			<td>SL1002N</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Refrigerator</td>
			<td>Haier</td>
			<td>SC-350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar-agar powder</td>
			<td>Sinopharm</td>
			<td>10000561</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>Sinopharm</td>
			<td>10010518</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corn meal</td>
			<td>Sinopharm</td>
			<td>5464654</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brown sugar</td>
			<td>LiuCaiYuan</td>
			<td>45467936</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Instant dry yeast</td>
			<td>AB MAURI</td>
			<td>20886</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AuxR16182</td>
			<td>VDRC</td>
			<td>7187</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UAS-Dicer2</td>
			<td>Bloomington</td>
			<td>24650</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UAS-mCD8GFP</td>
			<td>Bloomington</td>
			<td>32185</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DDC-Gal4</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>A gift from Fude Huang</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AuxGFP</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>A gift from Henry Chang</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

an automated rapid iterative negative geotaxis assay for analyzing adult climbing behavior in a drosophila model of neurodegeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases are frequently associated with a progressive loss of movement ability, reduced life span, and age-dependent neurodegeneration. To understand the mechanism of these cellular events, and their causal relationships with each other, Drosophila melanogaster, with its sophisticated genetic tools and diverse behavioral features, are used as disease models for assessing neurodegenerative phenotypes. Here we describe a high-throughput method to analyze Drosophila adult negative geotaxis behavior, as an indication for possible motor defects associated with neurodegeneration. An automated machine is designed and developed to drive fly synchronization using an initial electric impulse, later allowing the recording of negative geotaxis behavior over a course of secs to mins. Images from the digitally recorded video are then processed with the self-designed RflyDetection software for statistical data manipulation. Different from the manually controlled negative geotaxis assay based on single fly, this precise, fast, and high-throughput protocol allows data acquisition from more than hundreds of flies simultaneously, providing an efficient approach to advance our understanding in the underlying mechanism of locomotor deficits associated with neurodegeneration.

This article demonstrates the use of an automated RING assay in assessing fly negative geotaxis behavior. Unlike the previous RING assay, our assay includes an automated apparatus that provides an electric force to synchronize fly action and analyzes up to hundreds of flies simultaneously (Figure 1). Analysis of Dicer2; DDC&#62;auxR16182 flies showed an age-dependent decrease in the climbing distance in a 6-s time frame for both male and f...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An Automated Rapid Iterative Negative Geotaxis Assay for Analyzing Adult Climbing Behavior in a Drosophila Model of Neurodegeneration at JoVE.com

An Automated Rapid Iterative Negative Geotaxis Assay for Analyzing Adult Climbing Behavior in a Drosophila Model of Neurodegeneration

This step-by-step protocol analyzes Drosophila negative geotaxis behavior using an automated multi-cylinder system that hosts hundreds of flies and synchronizes their action by an electric motor. Upon synchronization, fly negative geotaxis behavior is assayed, digitally recorded, and analyzed using the self-designed RflyDetection software.

An Automated Rapid Iterative Negative Geotaxis Assay for Analyzing Adult Climbing Behavior in a Drosophila Model of Neurodegeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases are frequently associated with a progressive loss of movement ability, reduced life span, and age-dependent neurodegeneration. ...

The overall goal of this automated rapid iterative negative geotaxis assay is to analyze Drosophila adult climbing deficits associated with neurodegeneration. This method can help to answer key questions in the neuroscience field such as the mechanism of locomotive deficits associated with neurodegeneration. The main advantage of this technique is that fly climbing activity can be analyzed in an automated and high proof profession.The implications of this technique extends towards the therapy and diagnosis of neurodegeneration, because neurodegenerative diseases are frequently associated with a progressive loss of movement ability and reduced lifespan and age dependent neurodegeneration. We first had the idea for this method. We wanted to measure Drosophila adult's locomotive activity in a more accurate fashion.To carry out fly collection, begin by maintaining the flies on standard fly food at 25 degrees Celsius, 70%humidity and to 12 hour light, 12 hour dark cycle. Collect UAS-Dicer2 DDC-GAL4 fly virgins under carbon dioxide anesthesia. Cross the virgins to two-day old adult male flies carrying the following genotypes, with a male/female ratio of one-to-two.Separately collect newly occlosed males and females in three vials for each group per experiment, placing 10 flies in each regular fly vial with standard food. Then set the vials to 25 degrees Celsius. To perform the automated RING assay, transfer 10 collected unisex flies per genotype into each vial.Then secure the vial with a screw. Analyze control flies and flies carrying different genotypes together for each set of experiments. Turn on the digital camera placed in front of the apparatus, and once the flies are loaded and ready, start recording.The camera should be placed horizontally and the camera a proper distance from the RING apparatus to capture the positions in a relatively accurate locations of all the flies. After allowing one minute for the flies to settle in the vials, turn on the step controller that controls the step driver. This drives the small electric motor to control the attached lever, so that it consecutively rises and taps the apparatus four times in two seconds.After tapping the apparatus, note that the flies begin to ascend the wall. With recording still on, repeat the synchronization as just demonstrated, in 60 second intervals for three to five consecutive trials. Repeat the experiment for five, 15, 25 and 35 day old flies.Conduct at least three independent experiments for each group for each experiment, with at least 30 collected flies or three vials. To analyze the data, import the recorded video into the computer. For each trial, take a snapshot of the video at six seconds after tapping.In the R-fly detection software, use the file menu to import the snapshot image. Next, using the baseline icon on the Toolbar, precisely set the upper and lower baselines of the vial and then use the cursor to mark the upper and lower baselines on the image. Within the Settings bar, in the Flies in Rect field, input the number of flies per vial, and in the Tube Height field, input the vial length.Individual fly positions are detected and labeled with dots on the screen for each vial. Note that in a table on the right hand panel, the software automatically determines the climbing distance for each fly and displays the averaged values from 10 flies in each vial. Present the data as the mean plus or minus SEM.Calculate the P-values of significance using a one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni multiple comparison test. Analysis of Dicer2 designated flies using the automated RING assay presented in this video showed an age dependent decrease in the climbing distance in a six-second timeframe for both male and female flies, suggesting that aux expression in dopaminergic or DA neurons is crucial for fly locomotor activity. Climbing ability does not seem to be affected upon auxGFP over expression in DA neurons and co-expression of auxR and auxGFP in DA neurons rescued from the RNAi phenotype.Once mastered, this can be done is two to three hours if it is performed properly. Having this development is now a way for researchers in the field of neuroscience to explore neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. Don't forget that working with electric RING apparatus can be extremely hazardous and each confirm should be fastened tightly and carefully checked before performing this procedure.

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Behavior

Experimental Assessment of Mouse Sociability Using an Automated Image Processing Approach

Mouse is the preferred model organism for testing drugs designed to increase sociability. We present a method to quantify mouse sociability in which the test mouse is placed in a standardized apparatus and relevant behaviors are assessed in three different sessions (called session I, II, and III).
The apparatus has three compartments (see Figure 1), the left and right compartments contain an inverted cup which can house a mouse (called &#34;stimulus mouse&#34;).
In session I, the test mouse is placed in the cage and its mobility is characterized by the number of transitions made between compartments. In session II, a stimulus mouse is placed under one of the inverted cups and the sociability of the test mouse is quantified by the amounts of time it spends near the cup containing the enclosed stimulus mouse vs. the empty inverted cup. In session III, the inverted cups are removed and both mice interact freely. The sociability of the test mouse in session III is quantified by the number of social approaches it makes toward the stimulus mouse and by the number of times it avoids a social approach by the stimulus mouse.
The automated evaluation of the movie detects the nose of the test mouse, which allows the determination of all described sociability measures in session I and II (in session III, approaches are identified automatically but classified manually). To find the nose, the image of an empty cage is digitally subtracted from each frame of the movie and the resulting image is binarized to identify the mouse pixels. The mouse tail is automatically removed and the two most distant points of the remaining mouse are determined; these are close to nose and base of tail. By analyzing the motion of the mouse and using continuity arguments, the nose is identified.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/52508/52508fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Assessment of Sociability During 3 sessions. Session I (top): Acclimation of test mouse to the cage. Session II (middle): Test mouse moving freely in the cage while the stimulus mouse is enclosed in an inverted cup. Session III (bottom): Both test mouse and stimulus mouse are allowed to move freely and interact with each other.

This protocol describes a method to quantify mouse sociability. Mice are videotaped as they move and interact in a special cage. Movie processing allows for the automated quantification of sociability with excellent accuracy and reliability.

Mouse is the preferred model organism for testing drugs designed to increase sociability. We present a method to quantify mouse sociability in which the ...

Automated Analysis of a Nematode Population-based Chemosensory Preference Assay

The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans' compact nervous system of only 302 neurons underlies a diverse repertoire of behaviors. To facilitate the dissection of the neural circuits underlying these behaviors, the development of robust and reproducible behavioral assays is necessary. Previous C. elegans behavioral studies have used variations of a "drop test", a "chemotaxis assay", and a "retention assay" to investigate the response of C. elegans to soluble compounds. The method described in this article seeks to combine the complementary strengths of the three aforementioned assays. Briefly, a small circle in the middle of each assay plate is divided into four quadrants with the control and experimental solutions alternately placed. After the addition of the worms, the assay plates are loaded into a behavior chamber where microscope cameras record the worms' encounters with the treated regions. Automated video analysis is then performed and a preference index (PI) value for each video is generated. The video acquisition and automated analysis features of this method minimizes the experimenter's involvement and any associated errors. Furthermore, minute amounts of the experimental compound are used per assay and the behavior chamber's multi-camera setup increases experimental throughput. This method is particularly useful for conducting behavioral screens of genetic mutants and novel chemical compounds. However, this method is not appropriate for studying stimulus gradient navigation due to the close proximity of the control and experimental solution regions. It should also not be used when only a small population of worms is available. While suitable for assaying responses only to soluble compounds in its current form, this method can be easily modified to accommodate multimodal sensory interaction and optogenetic studies. This method can also be adapted to assay the chemosensory responses of other nematode species.

We present a behavior recording setup and protocol that enables automated analysis of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans' preference for soluble compounds in a population-based assay. This article describes the construction of a behavior chamber, the behavioral assay protocol, and video analysis software usage.

The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans' compact nervous system of only 302 neurons underlies a diverse repertoire of behaviors. To facilitate the dissection ...

A Burrowing/Tunneling Assay for Detection of Hypoxia in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae

Oxygen deprivation in animals can result from exposure to low atmospheric oxygen levels or from internal tissue damage that interferes with oxygen distribution. It is also possible that aberrant behavior of oxygen-sensing neurons could induce hypoxia-like behavior in the presence of normal oxygen levels. In D. melanogaster, development at low oxygen levels results in inhibition of growth and sluggish behavior during the larval phases. However, these established manifestations of oxygen deficit overlap considerably with the phenotypes of many mutations that regulate growth, stress responses or locomotion. As result, there is currently no assay available to identify i) cellular hypoxia induced by a mutation or ii) hypoxia-like behavior when induced by abnormal neuronal behavior.
We have recently identified two distinctive behaviors in D. melanogaster larvae that occur at normal oxygen levels in response to internal detection of hypoxia. First, at all stages, such larvae avoid burrowing into food, often straying far away from a food source. Second, tunneling into a soft substratum, which normally occurs during the wandering third instar stage is completely abolished if larvae are hypoxic. The assay described here is designed to detect and quantitate these behaviors and thus to provide a way to detect hypoxia induced by internal damage rather than low external oxygen. Assay plates with an agar substratum and a central plug of yeast paste are used to support animals through larval life. The positions and state of the larvae are tracked daily as they proceed from first to third instar. The extent of tunneling into the agar substratum during wandering phase is quantitated after pupation using NIH ImageJ. The assay will be of value in determining when hypoxia is a component of a mutant phenotype and thus provide insight into possible sites of action of the gene in question.

A Burrowing/Tunneling Assay for Detection of Hypoxia in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae

The protocol describes a simple assay to identify Drosophila melanogaster larvae that are experiencing hypoxia under normal atmospheric oxygen levels. This protocol allows hypoxic larvae to be distinguished from other mutants that show overlapping phenotypes such as sluggishness or slow growth.

Oxygen deprivation in animals can result from exposure to low atmospheric oxygen levels or from internal tissue damage that interferes with oxygen ...

An Automated T-maze Based Apparatus and Protocol for Analyzing Delay- and Effort-based Decision Making in  Free Moving Rodents

Many neurological and psychiatric patients demonstrate difficulties and/or deficits in decision making. Rodent models are helpful to produce a deeper understanding of the neurobiological causes underlying the decision-making problems. A cost-benefit based T-maze task is used for measuring decision making in which rodents choose between a high reward arm (HRA) and a low reward arm (LRA). There are two paradigms of the T-maze decision-making task, one in which the cost is a time delay and the other in which it is physical effort. Both paradigms require a tedious and labor-intensive management of experimental animals, multiple doors, pellet reward, and arm choice recordings. In the current work, we invented an apparatus based on traditional T-maze with full automation for pellet delivery, door management and choice recordings. This automated setup can be used for the evaluation of both delay- and effort-based decision making in rodents. With the protocol described here, our lab investigated the decision-making phenotypes of multiple genetically modified mice. In the representative data, we showed that the mice with ablated medial habenular showed aversions of both delay and effort and tended to choose the immediate and effortless reward. This protocol helps to decrease the variability caused by experimenter intervention and to enhance experiment efficiency. In addition, chronic silicon probe or microelectrode recording, fiber-optic imaging and/or manipulation of neural activity can be easily applied during the decision-making task using the setup described here.

This article introduces an automated T-maze apparatus that we invented, and a protocol based on this apparatus for analyzing delay-based decision making and effort-based decision making in free moving rodents.

Many neurological and psychiatric patients demonstrate difficulties and/or deficits in decision making. Rodent models are helpful to produce a deeper ...

Automated, Long-term Behavioral Assay for Cognitive Functions in Multiple Genetic Models of Alzheimer's Disease, Using IntelliCage

Multiple factors&#8212;such as aging and genes&#8212;are frequently associated with cognitive decline. Genetically modified mouse models of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD), have become a promising tool to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and promote the therapeutic advances. An important step is the validation and characterization of expected behavioral abnormality in the models, in the case of AD, cognitive decline. The long-term behavioral investigations of laboratory animals to study the effect of aging demand substantial efforts from researchers. The IntelliCage system is a high-throughput and cost-effective test battery for mice that eliminates the need for daily human handling. Here, we describe how the system is utilized in the long-term phenotyping of a genetic Alzheimer&#39;s disease model, specifically focusing on the cognitive functions. The experiment employs repeated battery of tests that assess spatial learning and executive functions. This cost-effective age-dependent phenotyping allows us to identify the transient and/or permanent effects of genes on various cognitive aspects.

This paper describes a protocol for cognitive assessments for genetic models of the Alzheimer&#39;s disease using the IntelliCage system, which is a high throughput automated behavioral monitoring system with operant conditioning.

Multiple factors&#8212;such as aging and genes&#8212;are frequently associated with cognitive decline. Genetically modified mouse models of cognitive ...

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

Temperature is a ubiquitous environmental factor that affects how species distribute and behave. Different species of Drosophila fruit flies have specific responses to changing temperatures according to their physiological tolerance and adaptability. Drosophila flies also possess a temperature sensing system that has become fundamental to understanding the neural basis of temperature processing in ectotherms. We present here a temperature-controlled arena that permits fast and precise temperature changes with temporal and spatial control to explore the response of individual flies to changing temperatures. Individual flies are placed in the arena and exposed to pre-programmed temperature challenges, such as uniform gradual increases in temperature to determine reaction norms or spatially distributed temperatures at the same time to determine preferences. Individuals are automatically tracked, allowing the quantification of speed or location preference. This method can be used to rapidly quantify the response over a large range of temperatures to determine temperature performance curves in Drosophila or other insects of similar size. In addition, it can be used for genetic studies to quantify temperature preferences and reactions of mutants or wild-type flies. This method can help uncover the basis of thermal speciation and adaptation, as well as the neural mechanisms behind temperature processing.

An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time

Here we present a protocol to automatically determine the locomotor performance of Drosophila at changing temperatures using a programmable temperature-controlled arena that produces fast and accurate temperature changes in time and space.

Temperature is a ubiquitous environmental factor that affects how species distribute and behave. Different species of Drosophila fruit flies have specific ...

An Improved Assay and Tools for Measuring Mechanical Nociception in Drosophila Larvae

Published assays for mechanical nociception in Drosophila have led to variable assessments of behavior. Here, we fabricated, for use with Drosophila larvae, customized metal nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) filaments. These mechanical probes are similar to the von Frey filaments used in vertebrates to measure mechanical nociception. Here, we demonstrate how to make and calibrate these mechanical probes and how to generate a full behavioral dose-response from subthreshold (innocuous or non-noxious range) to suprathreshold (low to high noxious range) stimuli. To demonstrate the utility of the probes, we investigated tissue damage-induced hypersensitivity in Drosophila larvae. Mechanical allodynia (hypersensitivity to a normally innocuous mechanical stimulus) and hyperalgesia (exaggerated responsiveness to a noxious mechanical stimulus) have not yet been established in Drosophila larvae. Using mechanical probes that are normally innocuous or probes that typically elicit an aversive behavior, we found that Drosophila larvae develop mechanical hypersensitization (both allodynia and hyperalgesia) after tissue damage. Thus, the mechanical probes and assay that we illustrate here will likely be important tools to dissect the fundamental molecular/genetic mechanisms of mechanical hypersensitivity.

An Improved Assay and Tools for Measuring Mechanical Nociception in Drosophila Larvae

The goal of this protocol is to show how to perform an improved assay for mechanical nociception in Drosophila larvae. We use the assay here to demonstrate that mechanical hypersensitivity (allodynia and hyperalgesia) exists in Drosophila larvae.

Published assays for mechanical nociception in Drosophila have led to variable assessments of behavior. Here, we fabricated, for use with Drosophila ...

Iterative Development of an Innovative Smartphone-Based Dietary Assessment Tool: Traqq

To collect dietary intake data in a fast and reliable manner, a flexible and innovative smartphone application (app) called Traqq was developed (iOS/Android). This app can be used as a food record and&#160;24-h recall (or shorter recall periods). Different sampling schemes can be created on either prespecified or random days/times within a predetermined period for both methods, with&#160;push notifications to urge the participants to register their food intake. In case of non-response, notifications are automatically rescheduled to ensure complete data collection. For use as a food record, respondents can access the app and log their food intake throughout the day. Food records close automatically at the end of the day; recalls close after submission of the consumed items. The recall as well as the food record module provide access to an extensive food list based on the Dutch food composition database (FCDB), which can be accustomed to fit different research purposes. When selecting a food item, respondents are simultaneously prompted to insert portion size, i.e., in household measures (e.g., cups, spoons, glasses), standard portion sizes (e.g., small, medium, large), or weight in grams, and eating occasion/time of consumption. Portion size options can be adjusted, e.g., only entry in grams in case of a weighed food record or time of consumption instead of eating occasion). The app also includes a My Dishes function, which allows the respondent to create their own recipes or product combinations (e.g., a daily breakfast) and only report the total quantity consumed. Subsequently, the app accounts for yield and retention factors. The data are stored on a secure server. If desired, additional questions, i.e., in general or those related to specific food items or eating occasions can be incorporated. This paper describes the development of the system (app and backend), including expert evaluations and usability testing.

This article describes the protocol for the development of an innovative smartphone-based dietary assessment application Traqq, including expert evaluations and usability testing.

To collect dietary intake data in a fast and reliable manner, a flexible and innovative smartphone application (app) called Traqq was developed ...

A High Throughput Microplate Feeder Assay for Quantification of Consumption in Drosophila

Quantifying food intake in Drosophila is used to study the genetic and physiological underpinnings of consumption-associated traits, their environmental factors, and the toxicological and pharmacological effects of numerous substances. Few methods currently implemented are amenable to high throughput measurement. The Microplate Feeder Assay (MFA) was developed for quantifying the consumption of liquid food for individual flies using absorbance. In this assay, flies consume liquid food medium from select wells of a 1536-well microplate. By incorporating a dilute tracer dye into the liquid food medium and loading a known volume into each well, absorbance measurements of the well acquired before and after consumption reflect the resulting change in volume (i.e., volume consumed). To enable high throughput analysis with this method, a 3D-printed coupler was designed that allows flies to be sorted individually into 96-well microplates. This device precisely orients 96- and 1536-well microplates to give each fly access to up to 4 wells for consumption, thus enabling food preference quantification in addition to regular consumption. Furthermore, the device has barrier strips that toggle between open and closed positions to allow for controlled containment and release of a column of samples at a time. This method enables high throughput measurements of consumption of aqueous solutions by many flies simultaneously. It also has the potential to be adapted to other insects and to screen consumption of nutrients, toxins, or pharmaceuticals.

A High Throughput Microplate Feeder Assay for Quantification of Consumption in Drosophila

The microplate feeder assay offers an economical, high throughput method for quantifying liquid food consumption in Drosophila. A 3D-printed device connects a 96-well microplate in which flies are housed to a 1536-well microplate from which flies consume a feeding solution with a tracer dye. The solution volume decline is measured spectrophotometrically.

Quantifying food intake in Drosophila is used to study the genetic and physiological underpinnings of consumption-associated traits, their environmental ...

A Simple Technique to Assay Locomotor Activity in Drosophila

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for studying various diseases due to its abundance of advanced genetic manipulation techniques and diverse behavioral features. Identifying behavioral deficiency in animal models is a crucial measure of disease severity, for example, in neurodegenerative diseases where patients often experience impairments in motor function. However, with the availability of various systems to track and assess motor deficits in fly models, such as drug-treated or transgenic individuals, an economical and user-friendly system for precise evaluation from multiple angles is still lacking. A method based on the AnimalTracker application programming interface (API) is developed here, which is compatible with the Fiji image processing program, to systematically evaluate the movement activities of both adult and larval individuals from recorded video, thus allowing for the analysis of their tracking behavior. This method requires only a high-definition camera and a computer peripheral hardware integration to record and analyze behavior, making it an affordable and effective approach for screening fly models with transgenic or environmental behavioral deficiencies. Examples of behavioral tests using pharmacologically treated flies are given to show how the techniques can detect behavioral changes in both adult flies and larvae in a highly repeatable manner.

A Simple Technique to Assay Locomotor Activity in Drosophila

The present protocol assesses the locomotor activity of Drosophila by tracking and analyzing the movement of flies in a hand-made arena using open-source software Fiji, compatible with plugins to segment pixels of each frame based on high-definition video recording to calculate parameters of speed, distance, etc.

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for studying various diseases due to its abundance of advanced genetic manipulation techniques and ...