Use of programmable protocol timer and data logger in the monitoring of animal behavior

The quantitative assessment of animal behavior by continuous or intermittent observation often requires much time and intense concentration. We have developed an accurate and convenient system which allows one observer to monitor up to four animals and record two types of behavior simultaneously. The system uses an inexpensive portable microcomputer including keyboard, video monitor, and cassette recorder. A program written in BASIC generates timed visible and audible cues, and tabulated data entered through the keyboard. The total number of occurrences of a particular behavior (e.g., "wet dog" shakes) and the frequency of a second behavior (e.g., grooming) may be measured. Frequency data, bases on intermittent observations, is processed for histogram display. The results may be copied from the video display or recorded on tape for further statistical analysis. The system has provided a convenient way to time experiments and collect data on drug-induced behavior in over 800 rats.