Dataset for Development and Validation of Rat_Track

Description

This dataset consists of the program developed for evaluation of behavior of rats and mice in classical mazes (Open Field, Barnes maze and Elevated Plus maze). The program is presented as three independent routines, one for each arena. When running the program, it receives input parameters by means of a text-based file, evaluates the corresponding video recording and produces two files. The first one corresponds to the sequence of (x,y) coordinates of the animal centroid along the video. The second one contains a set of calculated parameters as, e.g., total distance, number of frames in subareas and number of entries in open or closed arms. Additionally, it can be found a short video explaining the functionality of the software.

Steps to reproduce

The RatTrack software tool was developed to assess the behavioral expression of rats and mice in classical mazes. For that, RGB video recordings in AVI format of the animals in the arenas were used. The tool receives a text-based file with a set of input parameters indicating the video identification, the arena dimensions, and other parameters needed for image processing. Individual frames from the video recording are processed and thresholded to determine the centroid coordinates of the biggest spot in the image, which is considered to correspond to the animal. A sequence of centroid positions is determined. From it, parameters of interest are calculated, as the total traveled distance, time in subareas of the arena or number of entries in open or closed arms. Additionally, the sequence of centroid positions is recorded, for additional off-line analysis. The program is presented as three independent routines, one for each arena. For running the program, besides the executable file, the folder must contain the video recording, a background image of the arena without the animal, a set of 13 .DLL files, a set of 2 .VSPROPS files and the parameters_xx.txt file (xx corresponds to OF for Open Field, EPM for Elevated Plus Maza and BM for Barnes Maze). Additional instructions are presented in the tutorial video Rat_Track_Tutorial.mp4.

Institutions

• Faculdade de Medicina de Sao Jose do Rio Preto

  SP, Sao Jose do Rio Preto
• Universidade de Sao Paulo

  São Paulo, Sao Paulo
• Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

  SP, Sao Paulo
• Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

  MS, Campo Grande

Categories

Licence