The Laboratory of Ethological Dynamics focuses on understanding how brain disease progression affects behavior through the nonhuman primate model of the marmoset. To achieve this, we develop original analytical tools and study lifelong behavioral changes. Their long lifespan allows them to reproduce diseases that are difficult to replicate in rodents. This has led to the development of various new disease model marmosets, including genetically modified models. However, it is not clear how these newly created disease model marmosets develop symptoms and their behavior will change. Further, marmosets are variable individuals. To understand each animal’s behavioral changes, we have developed a system that allows us to continuously and noninvasively track and analyze a single animal over their lifetime.
We have reported the development of the Full Monitoring and Animal Identification (FulMAI) system, which utilizes AI technology to analyze marmosets’ natural activities in their family home cage. We have also developed a non-invasive head immobilization holder for functional MRI analysis in awake marmosets. Additionally, we are developing new non-invasive methods, including wearable devices for sleep state analysis, permanently installed touch-screen task tests, and vocal communication analyses. Through these developments, we aim to elucidate behavioral changes associated with disease progression.