TrackUSF, a novel tool for automated ultrasonic vocalization analysis, reveals modified calls in a rat model of autism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Various mammalian species emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which reflect their emotional state and mediate social interactions. USVs are usually analyzed by manual or semi-automated methodologies that categorize discrete USVs according to their structure in the frequency-time domains. This laborious analysis hinders the effective use of USVs as a readout for high-throughput analysis of behavioral changes in animals.

Results

Here we present a novel automated open-source tool that utilizes a different approach towards USV analysis, termed TrackUSF. To validate TrackUSF, we analyzed calls from different animal species, namely mice, rats, and bats, recorded in various settings and compared the results with a manual analysis by a trained observer. We found that Tr

SUBMITTER: Netser S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9277954 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature