Versadat software

Open field activity was assessed using the Versamax behavioral system with an infrared beam grid detection array (Accuscan Instruments, Inc., Columbus, OH). Mice were monitored for 5 minutes under low ambient light in the presence of white noise. Animals were pre-conditioned to the chambers the day before exposure started. The animals were recorded 1 hour prior to initial injection (0 DPI) to establish a baseline. Several behavioral assessments were performed at weekly timepoints (1 WPI, 2 WPI, 3 WPI and 4 WPI). Multiple behavioral parameters were obtained and analyzed using Versadat Software (Accuscan Instruments, Inc.) including rearing number, center time, margin time and rest time. We previously reported that these locomotor and behavioral parameters are accurate determinants of basal ganglia function associated with loss of striatal DA (Liu et al., 2006 (link); Moreno et al., 2009 (link)). Data is reported as change from baseline (0 DPI) behavioral assessment. (n=10/control, n=14/rotenone).

Open field activity parameters were assessed using the Versamax behavior chambers with an infrared beam grid detection array (Accuscan Instruments, Inc., Columbus, OH). Mice were monitored for 10 minutes under low ambient light in the presence of white noise. Stride length was assessed via video recording mice freely walking across a plexiglass track (5 cm × 1m) with 3 recordings obtained per mouse per assessment. Animals were pre-conditioned one day prior to their first treatment and then assessed at day 0 (first day of treatment) to establish a baseline, day 7, and day 14. Several behavioral parameters were collected and analyzed using Versadat Software (Accuscan Instruments, Inc.) including total distance traveled, number of movements, time spent moving, time spent in the margin, and the number of rearing movements. Stride length was calculated using the Tracker Video Modeling software (Tracker v.4.85 for MacOS X). These parameters have been previously shown to assess basal ganglia function (Liu et al., 2006 (link); Moreno et al., 2009 (link); Miller et al., 2011 (link); Streifel et al., 2012 (link)) and were reported as a change from baseline (day 0) assessment.

The open field apparatus was used to test the mice for anxiety/hyperactivity behaviour and habituation to a novel environment. This is one of the most fundamental forms of learning, in which the decreased exploration as a function of repeated exposure to the same environment is taken as direct measure of the animal’s memory. This behaviour was studied in two sessions of exposure to the open field, occurring at 60 min and 24 h post treatment. The open field assay was performed during the light cycle between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. using an automated system which included a VersaMax activity monitor chamber with VersaDat software (AccuScan Instruments, Columbus, OH). The study mice were brought to the experimental room 20 min before testing in the apparatus. The study involved placing a mouse into a comer square facing the corner and then observed for 60 min. The distance which the mouse travelled (as measured by the number of squares entered with whole body or locomotor activity) and rears (both the front paws off the ground, but not as part of grooming) was then recorded.