SMART is a complete and user-friendly video-tracking system for evaluating behavior in experimental animals. It allows the recording of activity, trajectories, events, social behavior interactions and performs the calculations of a wide range of analysis parameters. The system offers a flexible and easy to learn interface for setting up a wide variety of behavioral tests: Water Maze, Open Field, Plus/Radial Arm Mazes, and Place Preference tests in addition to other user-designed applications.

SMART works with animals located in up to 16 separate enclosures providing both quantitative and qualitative analysis of each animalÕs path. Each animal enclosure can be divided into different zone of interest using the specific tools provided by SMART. Up to 31 different zones (and one Exclusion Zone) can be easily drawn with different name and characteristics (Standard, Target, Arm or Hidden). A special tool for Water Maze is included.

Animal trajectories are acquired from real time TV images or videotaped records and stored, enabling you to analyze and reanalyze experiments with different zone configurations and parameters.

TRACKING allows not only data acquisition of the spatial position of the animal but also the automatic detection of a range of specific behaviors. Manually scored behaviors (e.g. grooming) can be calculated for any zone or independent variable. The parameters evaluated are presented in reports entirely configurable by the user. The report coverage can be the full track or it can be split into different intervals of time. Results can be directly and automatically exported to Excel®.

SMART can elaborate a graphic representation/ image of the tracks studied. This option is of great interest to illustrate data in publications and conferences.

An adapted version of SMART, SMART-DT, is provided for free to check data, generate statistics, print out results and obtain graphics. SMART-DT can be installed in as many computers as may be required.

The SMART system can be expanded for using the Triwise technology for the automated detection of the head, center-mass and base-tail allowing then a more detailed evaluation of some specific behavioral items (rearing, rotations, object exploration, entries into zones, contactsÉ).

SMART Video-Tracking System

Components Included
• CD and USB protection key
• Cables and connectors
• Instruction manual
• Free software updates of the acquired system
• 2 year warranty on hardware

Options • A number of cameras (PAL, NTSC, Infrared, black & white, color, etc) provided
with lens and cables
• Material for camera fixation (upon request)
• DVD reader/writer
• Telemetric switch (remote start/stop switch)
• Frame grabber board (PC interface board)
• PC station
• Multiplexers, digital switches, digital recorder are available upon request

RELATED HARDWARE
• Open Field Box
• Circular Pool
• Radial Maze
• Elevated Plus Maze
• Black & White Box
• Spatial Place Preference Box
• Many other possibilities!

Citations
Agustin-Pavon C et al. (2007). Effects of dopaminergic drugs on innate pheromone-mediated reward in female mice: A new case of dopamine-independent "liking." Behav Neurosci. 121(5):920-32. (olfactive test, mice, Spain)
Bekker A et al. (2007) Physostigmine reverses cognitive dysfunction caused by moderate hypoxia in adult mice. Anesth Analg. 105(3):739-43 (Object recognition test, mouse, USA)
Clark MS et al. (2007) Chronic low dose ovine corticotropin releasing factor or urocortin II into the rostral dorsal raphe alters exploratory behavior and serotonergic gene expression in specific subregions of the dorsal raphe. Neuroscience. 146(4): 1888-1905. (novel object test, rat, USA)R4R2R5R6R7R8R10R10
El-Kouhen O et al. (2006) Blockade of mGluR1 receptor results in analgesia and disruption of motor and cognitive performances: effects of A-841720, a novel non-competitive mGluR1 receptor antagonist. British Journal of Pharmacology 149, 761Ð774 (water maze, rat, USA)
Pletnikov MV et al. (2007) Inducible expression of mutant human DISC1 in mice is associated with brain and behavioral abnormalities reminiscent of schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry. In Press. (spatial memory, mouse, USA) Zhou M and Suszkiw JB (2007) Nicotine attenuates spatial learning deficits induced in the rat by perinatal lead exposure. Brain Research 999(1): 142-147. (water maze, rat, USA)
Brody DL and Holtzman DM (2006) Morris water maze search strategy analysis in PDAPP mice before and after experimental traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol. 197(2): 330Ð340. (water maze, mouse, USA)