Autonomous cage-side system for remote training of non-human primates

Abstract

Background: Training non-human primates (NHPs) for translational medical experimentation is an essential yet time consuming process. To increase training efficiency, some training systems have been designed for NHPs to use at their home cages. Several autonomous cage-side tablet-based systems have been proposed, but none of these systems allow for remote monitoring and task modification while also being wireless, low-cost, light weight, and portable.

New method: Here we present ACTS: an Autonomous Cage-side Training System which meets all these criteria. ACTS consists of 1) a touchscreen tablet and a speaker attached to the subject's home cage, 2) an inexpensive reward system made from a slightly modified fish feeder, and 3), a laptop operating the system wirelessly and remotely via a router.

Results: We were able to test the system and wirelessly train two macaques in their home cages. Remote access enabled us to control ACTS from up to 90 m, through up to 3 walls, and through a floor of a building. The device is compatible with different reward pellet sizes and could run about two hours with a ∼4 mm pellet size. The animals were able to generalize the task when transferred to a traditional experimental rig.

Comparison with existing methods: The low cost and modest skill required to build and implement ACTS lowers the barrier for NHP researchers and caregivers to deploy autonomous, remotely controlled tablet-based cage-side systems.

Conclusion: ACTS can be used for low-cost, wireless cage-side training of NHPs being prepared for translational medical experimentation.

Keywords: Autonomous training; Cage-side training; Non-human primate.