APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND ANXIETY IN RODENTS

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus (100) and a method (200) for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents. The apparatus (100) includes a glass chamber (102) comprising at least two compartments (104-1, 104-2), one compartment (104-1) for representing non-social, neutral stimuli having photographs of neutral objects providing a rodent with a neutral space and another compartment (104-2) for representing social stimulus area having photographs of groups of rodents, printed and mounted on all four sides providing the rodent with a social space by prompting the rodent to explore or engage with the perceived social cues. Advantageously, the present disclosure provides an apparatus that enables simultaneous assessment of social interaction preferences and anxiety-related behaviors by measuring time spent in each compartment and analyzing exploratory activities, providing valuable insights into the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying these behaviors.

Specification

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to behavioral research technologies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Behavioral neuroscience focuses on understanding the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying various psychological processes. This field involves studying animal models to gain insights into human behavior, mental health disorders, and neurological conditions. Researchers utilize various experimental setups to assess behaviors such as anxiety, social interaction, and cognitive functions. These studies often employ rodents due to their genetic, biological, and behavioral similarities to humans, making them valuable models for understanding complex behaviors and testing potential therapeutic interventions.
[0003] In behavioral neuroscience, researchers aim to evaluate social behavior and anxiety in rodents to understand their underlying mechanisms and potential treatments. Social behavior studies often involve assessing interactions, preferences, and avoidance patterns, while anxiety assessments focus on responses to stressors and novel environments. These evaluations provide insights into conditions such as social anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. The ability to simultaneously assess both social and anxiety-related behaviors in a controlled environment enhances the understanding of their interplay and potential therapeutic targets.
[0004] Achieving accurate assessments of social behavior and anxiety in rodents presents several challenges. Traditional methods often focus on one aspect, either social behavior or anxiety, limiting comprehensive analysis. Additionally, testing environments may introduce stress or variability, affecting the reliability of results. The need for simultaneous evaluation of these behaviors in a controlled setting remains a significant obstacle in the field.
[0005] It is known from prior art that various methods exist to assess social interaction and anxiety in rodents. The Open Field Test measures exploratory behavior and anxiety but offers limited social interaction assessment. The Elevated Plus Maze evaluates anxiety but lacks a setting for social behavior assessment. The Social Interaction Test assesses social behavior but does not evaluate anxiety in a controlled manner. The Three-Chamber Social Approach Test measures social preference but does not incorporate anxiety assessment. Automated Video Tracking Systems track movement and behavior but often require extensive setup and may not differentiate specific behaviors without sophisticated algorithms. However, these methods either focus on one behavioral aspect or introduce variability and stress, limiting comprehensive analysis and reproducibility.
[0006] There is thus a need for a system that allows simultaneous assessment of social behavior and anxiety in rodents within a controlled environment. Such a system would provide a comprehensive evaluation of these behaviors, reducing variability and stress while offering reproducible and detailed insights into the neural and behavioral mechanisms involved.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and a method for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to evaluate both social behavior and anxiety responses in rodents within a single, integrated apparatus.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a consistent and controlled testing environment using visual stimuli, minimizing variability and stress associated with live interactions.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus that enables detailed tracking and analysis of rodent behavior through a real-time video monitoring system, capturing parameters such as time spent in each compartment and exploratory activities.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus that offers valuable insights into the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying social interaction and anxiety, facilitating research in these areas.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a flexible tool that can be adapted for various experimental needs, including pharmacological testing and studies on social anxiety or withdrawal.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure generally relates to behavioral research technologies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents.
[0014] The primary aspect of the present invention is to design apparatus for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents to evaluate social behavior and anxiety responses in rodents. It features a two-compartment glass chamber, with one compartment providing non-social, neutral stimuli through photographs of husks, and the other offering social stimuli via photographs of groups of rodents. Equipped with a video monitoring system, the apparatus allows for real-time tracking and analysis of rodent behavior. This setup enables simultaneous assessment of social interaction preferences and anxiety-related behaviors by measuring time spent in each compartment and analyzing exploratory activities, providing valuable insights into the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying these behaviors.
[0015] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents is disclosed. The method begins with habituating a rodent to a glass chamber for a short period. The rodent is placed in the middle of the glass chamber, with access to a first compartment representing non-social, neutral stimuli and a second compartment representing social stimulus area. Movement and behaviour of the rodent is tracked and recorded in real-time. The method further includes analyzing data collected from a video camera to measure a plurality of behaviour parameters using a behavior-tracking software. The plurality of behaviour parameters pertains to time spent in each compartment, latency to enter compartments, exploratory activity, hesitation, and specific behaviors like grooming, freezing and rearing of rodents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary plan view of the apparatus for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a flow diagram of the proposed method for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary front and side views of the experimental setup of the apparatus for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary experimental setup of the behaviours of rodents such that a rodent entering the glass chamber, a rodent inside the non-social, neutral compartment and a rodent inside the social compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit, and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0022] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0023] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[0024] The present disclosure generally relates to behavioral research technologies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents.
[0025] The novelty of the Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber lies in its ability to simultaneously assess social behavior and anxiety in rodents within a single apparatus. This is achieved through a dual-compartment design, where one compartment provides non-social, neutral stimuli and the other offers social stimuli using photographs. This innovative approach replaces live social interactions with controlled visual stimuli, reducing variability and stress. Additionally, the integration of a real-time video monitoring system allows for precise tracking and analysis of rodent behavior, providing comprehensive insights into the interplay between social preferences and anxiety-related behaviors. This combination of features addresses limitations in existing methodologies, offering a more holistic and reproducible assessment tool.
[0026] The Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber is a sophisticated tool designed to assess both social behavior and anxiety in rodents. The apparatus consists of a transparent glass chamber divided into two distinct compartments, each tailored to evoke specific behavioral responses. This dual-compartment design allows researchers to simultaneously evaluate social preferences and anxiety-related behaviors in a controlled environment.
[0027] One compartment of the chamber is designated as a non-social, neutral environment. It features photographs of husks printed on glossy paper, providing a consistent and non-intrusive stimulus. This setup mimics a safe, non-interactive space, allowing rodents to exhibit reduced anxiety-like behaviors if they prefer neutral environments over social ones.
[0028] The other compartment serves as a social stimulus area, displaying photographs of groups of rodents. These images offer a controlled form of social stimulus, enabling the subject rodent to perceive social interaction without the physical presence of another rodent. This reduces variability and potential stress from live interactions, allowing for cleaner measurements of social preference.
[0029] A video monitoring system is integrated into the chamber, equipped with a high-definition camera to record the rodent's behavior in real-time. This system allows for continuous tracking and analysis, ensuring precise data collection on time spent in each compartment, exploratory activities, and specific behaviors such as grooming or rearing.
[0030] The apparatus is designed to minimize external environmental influences, with the glass material preventing odors or tactile cues that could alter behavior. The controlled lighting and temperature conditions further ensure a consistent testing environment, reducing stress and enhancing the reliability of results.
[0031] By offering a choice between a neutral and a social environment, the Bimodal Chamber provides a comprehensive assessment of how anxiety impacts social behavior and vice versa. This innovative design addresses limitations in existing methodologies, offering a valuable tool for research into the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying social interaction and anxiety.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary plan view of the apparatus (100) for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] The apparatus (100) includes a glass chamber (102) comprising at least two compartments (104-1, 104-2), one compartment (104-1) for representing non-social, neutral stimuli having photographs of neutral objects providing a rodent with a neutral space and another compartment (104-2) for representing social stimulus area having photographs of groups of rodents, printed and mounted on all four sides providing the rodent with a social space by prompting the rodent to explore or engage with the perceived social cues. The glass chamber (102) is provided for allowing for visual observation and video recording of movements of a rodent. A video camera (106) is mounted above the glass chamber (102) to record and track the behaviour of the rodent in real-time, ensuring that time spent by the rodent in each compartment is precisely recorded.
[0034] In an embodiment, the glass chamber (102) is made of transparent acrylic material to allow clear observation and minimize external influences. The photographs included in the compartments (104-1, 104-2) are printed on glossy paper to enhance visibility and consistency of stimuli presentation. The glass chamber (102) is illuminated with soft white light at an illumination level between 100 lux and 300 lux. The glass chamber (102) is maintained at an environmental temperature between 20°C and 25°C to ensure comfort of the rodent. The glass material ensures that the rodent's movements are not obstructed, and it also prevents external odors or tactile influences that may alter behavior.
[0035] In an embodiment, the apparatus is a clear glass structure divided into two equal compartments, allowing for visual observation and video recording of the rodent's movements. The apparatus (100) includes a partition (108) with a thickness between 1 cm and 3 cm to separate the two compartments (104-1, 104-2), thereby preventing cross-contamination of stimuli. Each compartment is equipped with an independent lighting (110) to control the visual conditions in each environment and minimize external interference. Rodents are expected to show reduced anxiety-like behaviors in neutral compartment (104-1) if they prefer non-social, neutral spaces over social environments. The photographs of the social compartment (104-2) provide a consistent, non-aggressive form of social stimulus, allowing the subject rodent to visually perceive social interaction without the physical presence of another rodent, which may induce stress, aggression, or other confounding variables. Rodents that prefer social interaction or are less anxious about social situations are expected to spend more time in social compartment (104-2).
[0036] In an embodiment, the chamber is equipped with a video camera (106) mounted above or around the apparatus to record the rodent's behavior in real time. data collected from the video camera (106) is analyzed to measure a plurality of behaviour parameters using a behavior-tracking software. The plurality of behaviour parameters pertains to time spent in each compartment, latency to enter compartments (104-1, 104-2), exploratory activity, hesitation, and specific behaviors like grooming, freezing and rearing of rodents.
[0037] In an embodiment, The Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber is a sophisticated behavioral assessment tool designed to simultaneously evaluate both social behavior and anxiety responses in rodents (rats or mice). The apparatus consists of two distinct compartments within a transparent glass chamber. Each compartment has a unique environmental design aimed at evoking specific behavioral responses, allowing researchers to gather data on how the subject rodent reacts to different stimuli.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a flow diagram of the proposed method (200) for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] In an embodiment, the proposed method (200) for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents is disclosed. At step 202, habituating, by the apparatus 100, a rodent to a glass chamber (102) for a short period. Before testing, the subject rodent is usually habituated to the chamber for a short period. This allows the rodent to become familiar with the apparatus and reduces initial stress or anxiety that could affect the results. The rodent's movement and behavior are tracked via the video system, and researchers measure how much time the rodent spends in each compartment.
[0040] At step 204, placing, by the apparatus 100, the rodent in the middle of the glass chamber (102), with access to a first compartment (104-1) representing non-social, neutral stimuli and a second compartment (104-2) representing social stimulus area. The apparatus works by presenting the subject rodent with a choice between two environments: one that is socially stimulating and another that is neutral. By allowing the rodent to freely move between the two compartments, researchers can gather data on both social preference and anxiety-related behaviors.
[0041] At step 206, recording and tracking, by the apparatus 100, movement and behaviour of the rodent in real-time. The rodent's movement and behavior are tracked via the video system, and researchers measure how much time the rodent spends in each compartment.
[0042] At step 208, analyzing, by the apparatus 100, data collected from a video camera (106) to measure a plurality of behaviour parameters using a behavior-tracking software. The plurality of behaviour parameters pertains to time spent in each compartment, latency to enter compartments (104-1, 104-2), exploratory activity, hesitation, and specific behaviors like grooming, freezing and rearing of rodents. Time Spent in Each Compartment is the primary measure. Rodents that prefer social interaction will spend more time in the social compartment, while those displaying avoidance or anxiety-like behaviors may spend more time in the neutral compartment. Latency to Enter Each Compartment measures how long it takes for the rodent to enter each compartment. High latency to enter the social compartment can indicate anxiety or social avoidance. Exploratory Behavior includes grooming, rearing, and other spontaneous behaviors that reflect comfort or anxiety levels. If the rodent exhibits hesitation or freezing behavior (a common anxiety response) before entering the social compartment, this can be a clear indicator of anxiety or social stress.
[0043] In an embodiment, data from the video recordings is analyzed using behavior-tracking software, which allows for precise quantification of the time spent in each compartment, movement patterns, and other behavioral indicators. Researchers may also examine secondary behaviors, such as the frequency of rearing (exploratory activity) or grooming (an anxiety-related behavior).
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary front and side views of the experimental setup (300) of the apparatus for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] With reference to Fig. 3, a two-compartment chamber designed for the simultaneous assessment of social behavior and anxiety in rodents, one compartment contains non-social, neutral stimuli (e.g., photographs of husk) and the other compartment contains social stimuli (e.g., photographs of groups of rodents). This is the core design element of the apparatus, which sets it apart from traditional behavioral tests. The compartmentalized structure allows for distinct environmental conditions within the same test, making it highly adaptable for assessing multiple behavioral dimensions.
[0046] In an embodiment, the use of static visual stimuli, specifically photographs of husk (neutral) and groups of rodents (social), to induce and assess rodent social preferences and anxiety-related behaviors in a controlled environment. This innovation replaces live social interactions with visual representations, reducing variability and external influences. The use of photographs as stimuli is unique and offers a consistent, reproducible environment for behavioral testing. A method for simultaneous evaluation of social interaction preference and anxiety in rodents, measured by the time spent in each compartment, latency to enter compartments, and exploratory behaviors, such as rearing, freezing, or grooming. The ability to assess both social and anxiety behaviors within the same apparatus and session is a significant innovation. This allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of behavior compared to traditional tests, which typically assess these aspects in isolation.
[0047] In an embodiment, an integrated video monitoring and tracking system within the chamber, capable of recording real-time behavioral responses and providing precise data on the rodent's movements, compartment preference, and exploratory activities. This technological feature enhances the precision and objectivity of data collection, ensuring accurate tracking of behavioral metrics without the need for manual intervention. Even mobile camera can be attached to the video holder. A method for assessing anxiety and social behavior in rodents by exposing them to controlled visual stimuli (e.g., photographs of husk and groups of rodents) within a dual-compartment glass chamber, and quantifying behavior through automated tracking. This method offers a systematic, controlled approach for studying anxiety and social interaction in rodents, minimizing external influences and allowing for the precise measurement of behavioral responses.
[0048] In an embodiment, a system and method that reduces the variability introduced by live social interactions (e.g., aggression, dominance hierarchies) through the use of visual, non-living social stimuli, thereby providing more consistent and reproducible results in behavioral testing. The use of photographs eliminates the risks and confounding variables associated with live social interactions, such as aggression, making it a more controlled and reliable method for assessing social behavior. The ability to modify the type of visual stimuli (neutral or social) presented in the compartments of the chamber to tailor the behavioral assessment to different experimental needs, such as varying the type of social group or object represented. This flexibility in the experimental setup allows the apparatus to be adapted for a wide range of studies, from social anxiety to group behavior dynamics, giving it a competitive advantage over more rigid testing systems.
[0049] In an embodiment, a method for minimizing environmental stressors (such as handling, noise, and odors) during rodent behavioral assessments through the use of a glass-enclosed chamber with automated video tracking and monitoring, thereby improving the accuracy of anxiety and social behavior assessments. Environmental stressors can significantly impact rodent behavior, introducing variability into test results. The design reduces such influences, making it a more precise and reliable tool for behavioral research.
[0050] In an embodiment, a method for assessing the effects of pharmacological compounds on anxiety and social behavior in rodents, using the Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber to measure changes in behavior based on compartment preference and exploratory activity. The chamber's ability to assess both anxiety and social interaction makes it a valuable tool for pharmacological testing, especially for drugs that affect emotional and social behaviors, such as anxiolytics or antidepressants.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, there are several key parameters that can be defined in broad workable ranges. These ranges allow for flexibility while maintaining the apparatus's effectiveness for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents. Below are the parameters with their respective broad ranges. The chamber size can be of length with 40 cm - 80 cm, width with 20 cm - 50 cm, and height with 30 cm - 50 cm. The chamber needs to provide enough space for natural movement, exploration, and the expression of anxiety-related behaviors, such as rearing or freezing, but should not be so large as to allow excessive roaming, which may complicate data collection. The glass thickness is within 3 mm - 10 mm.
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the chamber is made of durable, transparent material to allow easy observation and video recording while being sturdy enough to prevent accidental damage during experiments. The separation between compartments is termed as a partition with 1 cm - 3 cm. A solid partition separates the two compartments to ensure that the stimuli in one compartment do not influence behavior in the other. The thickness is sufficient to block any visual or olfactory cues from the adjacent compartment.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the visual Stimuli (Photographs) have size of 15 cm x 20 cm - 30 cm x 40 cm on each side. The glossy print reflectivity is 50% to 100%. The number of sides with photograph can be 3 to 4 sides of the compartment. The size of the photographs is large enough to dominate the rodent's visual field when inside the compartment. Glossy prints ensure a more engaging visual stimulus, but reflectivity should be controlled to avoid over-stimulation or glare. The light conditions have illumination level with 100 lux - 300 lux (soft white light). The chamber is brightly lit enough to facilitate video tracking and observation, but not so bright that it introduces additional stress or anxiety to the rodents. The environmental temperature is in the range of 20°C - 25°C (68°F - 77°F). The chamber is kept within a temperature range that is comfortable for rodents, reducing external factors such as temperature-related stress, which can affect behavior.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the video recording and tracking parameters include but not limited to Camera Resolution with 720p - 4K (high-definition), frame rate with 24 - 60 frames per second and tracking accuracy with ±1 cm. A high-definition camera with sufficient frame rate is used to accurately record and analyze the rodent's behavior, such as time spent in each compartment, rearing, freezing, or grooming. The tracking system is accurate to ensure precise data collection. Stimuli Exposure Time (Test Duration) has exposure time of 10 minutes - 30 minutes per trial. Rodents need enough time to explore both compartments to assess their behavior meaningfully, but overly long exposures may lead to habituation, reducing the sensitivity of the test to anxiety or social behavior.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the behavioural parameters include but not limited to Latency to First Entry into a Compartment with 5 seconds - 180 seconds, Time Spent in Each Compartment with 1 minute - 10 minutes, and Exploratory Behavior (e.g., Rearing, Grooming) with 2 instances - 50 instances per trial. Behavioral parameters are broad enough to capture individual differences between rodents while providing useful data on both anxiety (e.g., avoidance behavior) and social preference. The sound level with Ambient Noise Level having lesser than 40 dB. The testing environment is kept quiet to avoid introducing auditory stressors that could affect the rodent's behavior during testing. The cleaning and Maintenance Parameters include but not limited to cleaning Frequency with between every trial or daily, depending on the type of experiment and disinfectant Use with Safe rodent-friendly disinfectant (e.g., 70% ethanol or dilute chlorhexidine. Regular cleaning is essential to remove any olfactory cues or contaminants that may affect the behavior of rodents in future trials. The disinfectant does not introduce stress or residue that could influence the results. By providing these broad workable ranges for the parameters, that ensures flexibility in the experimental setup while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the behavioral assessments in rodents.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary experimental setup of the behaviours of rodents (400) such that a rodent entering the glass chamber, a rodent inside the non-social, neutral compartment and a rodent inside the social compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0057] With reference to Fig. 4, experiment with depressed model rats and normal rats is conducted. Rat is placed in Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber. The Rat explores the chamber. Depressed rat tends to go more into a Non-Social, Neutral Environment. Rodent behavior / Anxiety is experienced. Normal rats tend to go in social interaction chamber. Normal rats tend to remain in social interaction chamber. Social interactions are experienced. Behavioral analysis such as rearing, grooming etc is experienced.
[0058] In an implementation of an embodiment, the social interaction and anxiety behavior in rats can be determined using the Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber in the rat model of comorbid depression. Two groups of rats are tested: one is the control group of rats which is not exposed to any type of stress. The second group of rats are exposed to fifteen days of chronic unpredictable stress for fifteen days. Each rat is placed in the apparatus, and the time spent in the social (photographs of rats) versus the neutral (husk photographs) compartment is recorded. Normal rats are expected to spend more time in the social compartment, indicating a preference for social stimuli. In contrast, the rat exposed to chronic unpredictable stress may exhibit more anxiety-like behaviors, spending more time in the neutral compartment, suggesting social withdrawal or avoidance. The Bimodal Chamber is effective at detecting differences in social preference and anxiety in the depression model rats.
[0059] In an implementation of an embodiment, the impact of social isolation on social behavior and anxiety in rats can be determined using the Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber. Two groups of rats are tested: one group of socially housed rats and another group of rats isolated for two weeks. Each rat is placed in the apparatus, and the time spent in the social (photographs of rats) versus the neutral (husk photographs) compartment is recorded. Socially housed rats are expected to spend more time in the social compartment, indicating a preference for social stimuli. In contrast, socially isolated rats may exhibit more anxiety-like behaviors, spending more time in the neutral compartment, suggesting social withdrawal or avoidance. The Bimodal Chamber is effective at detecting differences in social preference and anxiety caused by changes in social environment, such as isolation.
[0060] In an implementation of an embodiment, the efficacy of an anxiolytic drug in reducing anxiety-related behaviors in rodents is evaluated. Two groups of rats are used: one treated with an anxiolytic drug and one with a placebo. After administration, the rats are placed in the Bimodal Chamber, and the time spent in each compartment is recorded. Rats treated with the anxiolytic drug are expected to show reduced anxiety-related behaviors by spending more time in the social compartment compared to the placebo group.
[0061] By integrating social discrimination and anxiety assessment within the same apparatus, the Bimodal Chamber addresses the limitation of single-focus testing devices, providing a holistic assessment of the rodent's behavior. The use of photographs as social stimuli avoids the stress and variability that may arise from live social interactions (e.g., aggressive behavior, dominance hierarchies). This makes the setup more standardized and less prone to external influences, improving reproducibility. The fitted video camera enables real-time and automated behavioral tracking, reducing the need for human presence and minimizing observational bias. This also allows for continuous data collection without disrupting the rodent's behavior. The apparatus offers the flexibility to modify the type of stimuli (e.g., different photographs or visual setups) to suit various experimental needs. This adaptability is a significant improvement over fixed-environment tests like the Elevated Plus Maze. Unlike generalized anxiety tests, the Bimodal Chamber assesses anxiety in the specific context of social interaction, providing more relevant data for studies on social anxiety, autism, or social withdrawal.
[0062] The Bimodal Chamber allows for simultaneous assessment of social interaction and anxiety in a controlled environment. It does this by offering a choice between a neutral, non-social compartment (featuring photographs of husk) and a social-stimulus compartment (featuring photographs of groups of rats). This setup enables researchers to study how anxiety impacts social behavior and vice versa, providing richer insights into the neural and behavioral mechanisms involved. The Bimodal Chamber uses visual stimuli (photographs of other rats) to create a controlled and consistent social stimulus, reducing variability and the potential for social aggression or fear-based interactions. This allows for cleaner, more reproducible measurements of social preference and anxiety without the confounding effects of live social interactions. The Bimodal Chamber is designed to be a controlled environment, minimizing external environmental influences. The use of a glass chamber allows for clear observation, while the fitted video camera ensures detailed tracking and analysis of rodent behavior in real-time, reducing human interference and stress.
[0063] The Bimodal Chamber evaluates anxiety in relation to social interaction by measuring the subject's willingness to approach or avoid a social stimulus. This provides more context-specific data on anxiety, particularly in situations where social behavior and anxiety are intertwined, such as in social anxiety disorders. The Bimodal Chamber allows for continuous and longer-term observation of behavior through video tracking. This setup enables researchers to assess both short-term and longer-term behavioral changes, such as hesitation, grooming, rearing, or freezing, all of which may provide additional insights into anxiety and social dynamics.
[0064] While the apparatus is primarily designed for rats and mice, it can be easily adapted to accommodate different rodent species by adjusting the chamber size and stimuli. Larger versions can be created for bigger rodents like guinea pigs. The apparatus can be coupled with commercially available tracking software (e.g., Ethovision, ANY-maze) for automatic behavior analysis. This can improve the accuracy and consistency of the data, allowing for real-time tracking of various behavioral parameters such as distance travelled, time spent in each compartment, and exploratory behavior. The chamber can be scaled for experiments involving multiple rodents to assess group behaviors such as dominance, social hierarchies, or cooperation. Although initially designed for individual testing, with adjustments, group interactions could be studied in the context of both anxiety and social preference. Although visual stimuli are the main focus of the apparatus, attention should also be given to controlling any olfactory cues that may arise from previous trials or the external environment. Standardized cleaning procedures and neutralizing sprays can help ensure that olfactory stimuli do not confound the results. The use of photographs as stimuli ensures high reproducibility across experiments, reducing variability seen in live animal tests. This helps in reducing confounding factors such as the behavior of live rats, odors, and pheromones, which are difficult to control in traditional setups. Since the visual stimuli are static and the testing environment is controlled, the setup minimizes stress, which could affect the behavioral outcomes. Reduced stress means more accurate readings of anxiety and social behaviors, particularly in delicate or high-stress rodent models.
[0065] The apparatus is particularly well-suited for pharmacological studies where anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, or social-enhancing drugs are being tested. The controlled and reproducible environment provided by the chamber can help in accurately quantifying drug effects on behavior. The setup could be used for longitudinal studies to assess changes in social behavior and anxiety over time. For example, developmental studies or aging-related research could benefit from consistent and repeated exposure to the same controlled environment to track behavioral changes. The simplicity of the design, with easy-to-clean compartments and straightforward stimuli placement, makes it user-friendly and accessible for labs of varying levels of expertise. It does not require specialized training to operate, further increasing its accessibility in behavioral research. The Bimodal Rodent Social Discrimination and Anxiety Chamber represents a significant advancement in the field of rodent behavioral testing. By addressing both social and anxiety-related behaviors in a controlled, reproducible environment, this apparatus allows for more precise, nuanced insights into rodent behavior than traditional methods. The broad applicability, minimal stress introduction, and flexibility for customization make this a valuable tool for researchers in neuroscience, pharmacology, and behavioral science.
[0066] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are comprised to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:1. An apparatus (100) for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, the apparatus (100) comprising:
a glass chamber (102) allowing for visual observation and video recording of movements of a rodent, comprising at least two compartments (104-1, 104-2);
a first compartment (104-1) representing non-social, neutral stimuli having photographs of neutral objects providing the rodent with a neutral space;
a second compartment (104-2) representing social stimulus area having photographs of groups of rodents, printed and mounted on all four sides providing the rodent with a social space by prompting the rodent to explore or engage with the perceived social cues; and
a video camera (106) mounted above the glass chamber (102) to record and track the behaviour of the rodent in real-time, ensuring that time spent by the rodent in each compartment is precisely recorded.

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass chamber (102) is made of transparent acrylic material to allow clear observation and minimize external influences.

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein data collected from the video camera (106) is analyzed to measure a plurality of behaviour parameters using a behavior-tracking software.

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of behaviour parameters pertains to time spent in each compartment, latency to enter compartments (104-1, 104-2), exploratory activity, hesitation, and specific behaviors like grooming, freezing and rearing of rodents.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photographs included in the compartments (104-1, 104-2) are printed on glossy paper to enhance visibility and consistency of stimuli presentation.

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass chamber (102) is illuminated with soft white light at an illumination level between 100 lux and 300 lux.

7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass chamber (102) is maintained at an environmental temperature between 20°C and 25°C to ensure comfort of the rodent.

8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus (100) comprising a partition (108) with a thickness between 1 cm and 3 cm to separate the two compartments (104-1, 104-2), thereby preventing cross-contamination of stimuli.

9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each compartment is equipped with an independent lighting (110) to control the visual conditions in each environment and minimize external interference.

10. A method (200) for assessing social behavior and anxiety in rodents, the method (200) comprising steps of:
habituating (202) a rodent to a glass chamber (102) for a short period;
placing (204) the rodent in the middle of the glass chamber (102), with access to a first compartment (104-1) representing non-social, neutral stimuli and a second compartment (104-2) representing social stimulus area;
recording and tracking (206) movement and behaviour of the rodent in real-time; and
analyzing (208) data collected from a video camera (106) to measure a plurality of behaviour parameters using a behavior-tracking software,
wherein the plurality of behaviour parameters pertains to time spent in each compartment, latency to enter compartments (104-1, 104-2), exploratory activity, hesitation, and specific behaviors like grooming, freezing and rearing of rodents.

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