Video Tracking and Position Monitoring
Objective: To record and analyze head-direction cells from the postsubiculum in freely moving rats by tracking animal position and head direction using colored LEDs during free movement in a cylindrical chamber
This is a Video Tracking and Position Monitoring protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 6 procedural steps, 2 equipment items, 2 materials. Extracted from a 1990 paper published in Journal of Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
rat • not specified • not specified • not specified • not specified • 7
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Prepare cylindrical chamber with orientation cue • Attach colored LEDs to animal's head • Position animal in chamber and initiate recording
Primary readouts
- Head direction cell classification based on discharge as a function of head direction
- Preferred head direction for each cell
- Peak firing rate (range: 5-115 spikes/sec, mean: 35)
- Directional firing range (typically ~90 degrees)
Key equipment and reagents
Use this page as an execution guide, then fall back to the source paper whenever you need exact exclusions, dosing details, or assay-specific caveats.
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Protocol Steps
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Prepare cylindrical chamber with orientation cue
Tape a white card to the inside wall of the cylindrical chamber to serve as the major cue for orientation
Note: The white card provides the primary visual reference for the animal's head direction
View evidence from paper
“where the major cue for orientation was a white card taped to the inside wall”
Attach colored LEDs to animal's head
Secure 2 colored light emitting diodes to the animal's head for position and head direction tracking
Note: The relative positions of the 2 LEDs are used to calculate head direction in the horizontal plane
View evidence from paper
“2 colored light emitting diodes (LEDs) secured to the animal's head”
Position animal in chamber and initiate recording
Place the rat in the cylindrical chamber and begin simultaneous recording of cell discharge and LED position tracking
Note: The automatic video/computer system monitors both neural activity and behavioral position
View evidence from paper
“Recordings were made from postsubicular neurons as rats moved freely throughout a cylindrical chamber”
Track animal position from LED data
Calculate the animal's location from the position of one of the LEDs using the automatic video/computer system
Note: Position is derived from a single LED while head direction requires both LEDs
View evidence from paper
“The animal's location was calculated from the position of one of the LEDs”
Calculate head direction from LED positions
Determine head direction in the horizontal plane from the relative positions of the 2 LEDs
Note: Head direction is calculated in the horizontal plane independent of trunk position
View evidence from paper
“head direction in the horizontal plane calculated from the relative positions of the 2 LEDs”
Allow free movement and record neural activity
Permit the rat to move freely throughout the cylindrical chamber while recording postsubicular neuron discharge and tracking position/head direction
Note: Recordings continue for sufficient duration to establish stability of cell firing properties
View evidence from paper
“Recordings were made from postsubicular neurons as rats moved freely throughout a cylindrical chamber”