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Precision cutaneous stimulation in freely moving mice.
Isobel Parkes1, Ara Schorscher-Petcu1, Qinyi Gan1
1Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Elife
|March 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new system for precise cutaneous stimulation in mice during natural movement. This tool allows studying how somatosensation influences behavior, from reflexes to decision-making, in realistic settings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Sensory Systems
Background:
- Somatosensation is crucial for animal survival and behavior.
- Studying somatosensory input and behavior in moving mice is challenging due to stimulus delivery difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a system for precise cutaneous stimulation of mice during natural locomotion.
- To overcome the trade-off between experimental precision and naturalistic behavior.
Main Methods:
- Real-time body part tracking of mice.
- Targeted optical stimuli delivery to the skin during walking and running.
- System validation in nociceptive testing and complex environments like mazes.
Main Results:
- The system enables precise cutaneous stimulation during natural mouse movement.
- Cutaneous inputs during motion rapidly modify animal behavior.
- Demonstrated applicability from basic nociception to complex maze navigation.
Conclusions:
- This novel system facilitates the study of somatosensation in naturalistic contexts.
- It allows exploration of how sensory inputs influence behavior, from reflexes to decision-making.
- Provides a valuable tool for understanding the integration of somatosensory information in dynamic environments.
