An automated feeding and behavior monitoring system for rodents.

To develop pharmaceutical treatments for obesity and diabetes, researchers carry out food intake studies and more in-depth assessments of the feeding behavior in rodents. To facilitate such studies, the authors designed and developed a rodent behavior monitoring system that simultaneously measures food intake, water consumption and motor activity. When tested, their Automated Water Food Activity System (AWFAS) substantially increased throughput for routine rat food intake studies and also improved user ergonomics and safety. The authors describe their system and suggest that others could design similar systems or adapt certain features of the AWFAS to fit existing rodent caging systems.