Automated Computer Software Assessment of 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A Receptor-Mediated Head Twitch Responses from Video Recordings of Mice
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science April 8, 2022 Grant C. Glatfelter, Michael R. Chojnacki, Shelby A. McGriff et al. 18 citations
A simple, noninvasive method using computer analysis of video recordings accurately measures the head twitch response (HTR) in mice, a behavioral proxy for psychedelic drug effects in humans. Male mice injected with the 5-HT2 receptor agonist DOI showed dose-related increases in HTRs (0.03–3 mg/kg), which were blocked by the 5-HT2A antagonist M100907. Computer scoring closely matched visual scoring by trained observers, captured nearly all HTRs, and produced few false positives from behaviors like grooming. Optimizing lighting improved results. This method offers a reliable, surgery-free alternative for studying psychedelic-like activity.