Locomotor Activity Monitoring in Mice to Study the Phase Shift of Circadian Rhythms Using ClockLab (Actimetrics)

Area of Science:

• Chronobiology
• Animal Behavior Research

Background:

• The circadian clock synchronizes physiological processes with environmental cycles.
• Disruptions in light exposure can alter circadian timing, impacting health.
• Locomotor activity analysis in rodents is a key method in circadian research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a detailed, step-by-step protocol for analyzing mouse circadian rhythms.
• To guide researchers in quantifying circadian parameters using wheel-running data.
• To optimize digital analysis of circadian behavior with ClockLab software.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing wheel-running experiments in mice under controlled light/dark or constant darkness conditions.
• Administering nocturnal light pulses to assess phase-shifting responses (Aschoff Type I and II protocols).
• Employing ClockLab software for quantitative analysis of activity data, including periodograms.

Main Results:

• The protocol enables precise measurement of internal period length in mice.
• It facilitates the assessment of general activity patterns.
• The method allows for accurate determination of circadian phase shifts in response to light stimuli.

Conclusions:

• This optimized protocol offers a robust framework for circadian rhythm analysis in mice.
• It enhances the digital quantification of behavioral data for circadian research.
• The guide supports researchers in understanding how light exposure affects circadian timing.