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 meters, 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.

中文翻译：

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用于非人类灵长类动物远程训练的自主笼边系统

背景

训练非人类灵长类动物（NHP）进行转化医学实验是一个重要但耗时的过程。为了提高训练效率，一些训练系统被设计供 NHP 在其家中的笼子中使用。已经提出了几种基于自主笼侧平板电脑的系统，但这些系统都不允许远程监控和任务修改，同时也是无线、低成本、重量轻和便携的。

新方法

在这里，我们展示了 ACTS：一种满足所有这些标准的自主笼边训练系统。ACTS 包括 1) 一个触摸屏平板电脑和一个连接到受试者家庭笼子上的扬声器，2) 一个由稍加修改的喂鱼器制成的廉价奖励系统，以及 3) 一台通过路由器无线远程操作该系统的笔记本电脑。

结果

我们能够测试该系统并在笼子里无线训练两只猕猴。远程访问使我们能够在最远 90 米的范围内、穿过最多 3 堵墙和建筑物的一层楼来控制 ACTS。该设备与不同的奖励颗粒尺寸兼容，对于 4 毫米的颗粒尺寸可以运行大约两个小时。当转移到传统的实验装置时，动物能够概括任务。

与现有方法的比较

构建和实施 ACTS 所需的低成本和适度的技能降低了 NHP 研究人员和护理人员部署基于平板电脑的自主远程控制笼侧系统的障碍。

结论

ACTS 可用于对正在为转化医学实验做准备的 NHP 进行低成本、无线笼边训练。