Linares-García Ivan, Iliakis Evan A, Juliani Sofia E, Ramirez Alexandra N, Woolley Joel, Díaz-Hernández Edgar, Fuccillo Marc V, Margolis David J
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 23:2025.01.23.634598. doi: 10.1101/2025.01.23.634598.
Investigation of neural processes underlying motor control requires behavioral readouts that capture the richness of actions, including both categorical (choice-based) information and motor execution (kinematics). We present an open-source platform for behavioral training of head-fixed mice that combines a stationary or retractable forelimb-based joystick, sound-presentation system, capacitive lick sensor, and water reward dispenser. The setup allows for the creation of multiple behavioral paradigms, two of which are highlighted here: a two-alternative forced-choice auditory-motor discrimination paradigm, and a two-armed bandit value-based decision-making task. In the auditory-motor paradigm, mice learn to report high or low frequency tones by pushing or pulling the joystick. In the value-based paradigm, mice learn to push or pull the joystick based on the history of rewarded trials. In addition to reporting categorical choices, this setup provides a rich dataset of motor parameters that reflect components of the underlying learning and decision processes in both of these tasks. These kinematic parameters (including joystick speed and displacement, Fréchet similarity of trajectories, tortuosity, angular standard deviation, and movement vigor) provide key additional insights into the motor execution of choices that are not as readily assessed in other paradigms. The system's flexibility of task design, joystick readout, and ease of construction represent an advance compared to currently available manipulandum tasks in mice. We provide detailed schematics for constructing the setup and protocols for behavioral training using both paradigms, with the hope that this open-source resource is readily adopted by neuroscientists interested in mechanisms of sensorimotor integration, motor control, and choice behavior.
Behavioral paradigms for experiments in head-restrained mice are important for investigating the relationship between neural activity and behavior. However, behavioral setups are often constrained by high cost, design complexity, and implementation challenges. Here, we present an open-source platform for behavioral training of head-fixed mice using a joystick manipulandum. The setup allows for the creation of multiple behavioral paradigms, including an auditory-motor discrimination paradigm, and a value-based decision-making task. We include detailed instructions for construction and implementation of the entire open-source behavioral platform.
对运动控制背后神经过程的研究需要行为读数来捕捉动作的丰富性，包括分类（基于选择）信息和运动执行（运动学）。我们提出了一个用于头部固定小鼠行为训练的开源平台，该平台结合了固定或可伸缩的基于前肢的操纵杆、声音呈现系统、电容式舔舐传感器和水奖励分配器。该设置允许创建多种行为范式，这里突出介绍其中两种：双选强制选择听觉 - 运动辨别范式和双臂强盗式基于价值的决策任务。在听觉 - 运动范式中，小鼠通过推动或拉动操纵杆来学习报告高频或低频音调。在基于价值的范式中，小鼠根据奖励试验的历史来学习推动或拉动操纵杆。除了报告分类选择外，该设置还提供了丰富的运动参数数据集，这些参数反映了这两个任务中潜在学习和决策过程的组成部分。这些运动学参数（包括操纵杆速度和位移、轨迹的弗雷歇相似度、曲折度、角标准差和运动活力）为选择的运动执行提供了关键的额外见解，而这些在其他范式中不易评估。与目前可用的小鼠操作任务相比，该系统在任务设计、操纵杆读数方面的灵活性以及易于构建代表了一种进步。我们提供了构建该设置的详细示意图以及使用这两种范式进行行为训练的协议，希望这个开源资源能被对感觉运动整合、运动控制和选择行为机制感兴趣的神经科学家轻易采用。
用于头部受限小鼠实验的行为范式对于研究神经活动与行为之间的关系很重要。然而，行为设置通常受到高成本、设计复杂性和实施挑战的限制。在这里，我们提出了一个使用操纵杆操作器对头部固定小鼠进行行为训练的开源平台。该设置允许创建多种行为范式，包括听觉 - 运动辨别范式和基于价值的决策任务。我们包括了整个开源行为平台构建和实施的详细说明。
