Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24

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Title Behavioral Analysis in Rodents: Classic and Novel Approaches
Course number 5239
Programme Neurovetenskap
Language English
Credits 1.5
Notes A Laboratory Animal Science course.

Date 2023-05-08 -- 2023-05-12
Responsible KI department Institutionen för neurovetenskap
Specific entry requirements
Purpose of the course The course is aimed at students working with or interested in behavioral analyses in rodents. The purpose of the course is (1) to give the students a solid understanding of basic behavioral tests to use for the phenotypic characterization of rodents, with special emphasis on neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, and (2) allow the students to acquaint themselves with modern, advanced technical procedures for behavioral analysis.
Intended learning outcomes At the end of the course the participants should be able to (1) know how to choose appropriate rodent behavioral models to best address their specific research question, (2) interpret the results of previous studies, critically evaluate protocols and adapt them to their own research, and (3) understand the advantage offered by recent methodological breakthroughs to the analysis of behavior.
Contents of the course The course will provide the knowledge necessary to apply advanced methodologies to the study of behavioral paradigms utilized for the phenotypic characterization of rodent models of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, as well as for the evaluation of novel drugs. During the course, the students will learn how to analyze classic behavioral paradigms using state-of-the-art approaches including deep learning image analysis, optogenetics end point measurements and automated analysis of multiple behavioral outputs using the IntelliCage system. The course will include a practical part, where students will visit the Animal Behavior Core Facility at KM-B and get hands-on-experience on the equipment and the most common protocols used. The students will also learn how to design experiments, interpret and analyze data.
Teaching and learning activities The course is partly theoretical, partly practical, with integrated lectures, laboratory demonstrations and practical sessions. During the practical sessions, the students will be divided in groups, which will be asked to design a behavioral study in a particular rodent model of disease, with data collection and final analysis.
Compulsory elements All sessions and activities are necessary for the students to successfully complete the course. When absences are justified, missed parts of the course may be compensated in agreement with the course director.
Examination A short answer and multiple-choice examination will be used to evaluate if the students have reached the required knowledge to successfully pass the course.
Literature and other teaching material Recommended literature:
1. Jacqueline N. Crawley What's Wrong With My Mouse?: Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout Mice. Second Edition. Hoboken (New Jersey): John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
2. de Angelis MH, Chambon P, Brown S. Standards of Mouse Model Phenotyping. Wiley-Blackwell 2006.
3. Wahlsten D. Mouse Behavioral Testing How to Use Mice in Behavioral Neuroscience. Academic Press 2010.
4. Buccafusco JJ Methods of Behavior Analysis in Neuroscience, 2nd edition. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, 2009.
Number of students 8 - 25
Selection of students Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date)
More information The course will take place IRL from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 in Campus Solna. The course includes theoretical introductions followed by practical demonstrations of the equipment (when possible) on how to perform, interpret and analyse classical and advanced behavioral technologies in rodents. We will also have lectures on how to apply different behavioural tests to mouse models of different diseases, for example neuropsychiatric (schizophrenia, affective disorders, autism) and neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis). Among advanced behavioural methods, we will teach the principles of Intellicages system. We will dedicate a lecture to optogenetics approaches combined to behavioral tracking as well as deep learning image analyses as new tool to quantify complex movements in mice. During the course the students will be divided in groups and will visit the Animal Behavior Core Facility at KM-B. During the visit the students will have the possibility to get hands-on on equipment and methods showed in the classes. There will be invited speakers are worldwide recognized experts, both from KI as well as from abroad.
Additional course leader
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Silvia Maioli
Institutionen för neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle

silvia.maioli@ki.se
Contact person Qian Yu
Institutionen för neurovetenskap

Qian.Yu@ki.se