Deep learning algorithms reveal increased social activity in rats at the onset of the dark phase of the light/dark cycle.

ABSTRACT: The rapid decrease of light intensity is a potent stimulus of rats' activity. The nature of this activity, including the character of social behavior and the composition of concomitant ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), is unknown. Using deep learning algorithms, this study aimed to examine the social life of rat pairs kept in semi-natural conditions and observed during the transitions between light and dark, as well as between dark and light periods. Over six days, animals were video- and audio-recorded during the transition sessions, each starting 10 minutes before and ending 10 minutes after light change. The videos were used to train and apply the DeepLabCut neural network examining animals' movement in space and time. DeepLabCut data were subjected to the Simple Behavioral Analysis (Sim

SUBMITTER: Popik P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11548743 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature