Title: Automatic data analysis of real-time song and locomotor activity in zebra finches

Authors: Susanne L.T. Cappendijk; Geoffery L. Miller; Patrick L. Yount; Robert A. Van Engelen

Addresses: Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4300, USA ' Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4120, USA ' Department of Computer Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4530, USA ' Department of Computer Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4530, USA

Abstract: The zebra finch is a superb natural animal model to study cognition and as such could contribute to the further understanding of nicotinic intervention therapies for patients suffering from cognitive impairment as observed in neurodegenerative disorders. Manual analysis of data produced by this model is extremely labour intensive, error-prone, and typically takes weeks to complete. We designed data acquisition methods, selected analysis algorithms, and developed software to efficiently and accurately automate the detection and classification of song production (cognitive functioning) and locomotor activity (physical condition). Our custom-designed software accurately classifies song and locomotor activities. After classification, the reduced data sets can be further analysed with popular tools, such as 'R'.

Keywords: cognitive functioning; zebra finches; data processing; data analysis; data reduction process; birdsong; real-time songs; locomotor activity; cognitive impairment; neurodegenerative disorders; data acquisition; song production; endogenous neurotransmitters; acetylcholine receptors; nicotine; central nervous system; brain functions; drug side-effects; pharmacological intervention; foraging; perch hopping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBRA.2013.050652

International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications, 2013 Vol.9 No.1, pp.91 - 108

Received: 07 Dec 2009
Accepted: 07 Dec 2010
Published online: 06 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article