Source Paper
Atrophin-1 antisense oligonucleotide provides robust protection from pathology in a fully humanized DRPLA model
Smith VL, Gidi BZ, Bragg RM, Cantle JP, Ben-Varon A et al.
Mol Ther Nucleic Acids • 2025
Circadian Home Cage Activity
Objective: To analyze circadian patterns of home cage behavioral activity in a controlled environment
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment3
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Protocol Steps
Setup monitoring cages
Place mice in 30 × 30 cm Plexiglas cages with corncob bedding and plastic shelter with two entry/exit points
View evidence from paper
“Plexiglas cages measuring 30 × 30 cm included corncob bedding”
Begin continuous recording
Record all cages simultaneously for 67 hours starting at 12 p.m. on day 1 and ending at 7 a.m.
View evidence from paper
“All cages were recorded simultaneously for 67 h, beginning at 12 p.m. on day 1 and ending at 7 a.m.”
Define cage zones
Divide cage recording into arena center (293 cm²), arena perimeter (347 cm²), and hidden shelter (106 cm²) zones
View evidence from paper
“arena center 293 cm 2 , arena perimeter 347 cm 2 , and hidden shelter 106 cm 2”
Track movement automatically
Use EthoVision XT software to track mouse movement and determine duration in each zone
View evidence from paper
“EthoVision XT software was used to track the movement of the mice for the duration of the experiment”
Bin behavioral data
Divide 67 hours of tracking data into 1-hour sessions and calculate average activity for light and dark periods
View evidence from paper
“Behavioral activity measurements were binned into 1-h sessions and activity tracked across all zones”