Protocol for the integration of fiber photometry and social behavior in rodent models

• Published in: STAR protocols Vol. 4; no. 4; p. 102689
• Main Authors: Terstege, Dylan J., Dawson, Matthew, Jamani, Naila F., Tsutsui, Mio, Epp, Jonathan R., Sargin, Derya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.12.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior; Model Organisms; Neuroscience; Photometry; Protocol; Social Behavior; Software; Model Organisms; Neuroscience; Behavior
• ISSN: 2666-1667; 2666-1667
• DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102689

Fiber photometry offers insight into cell-type-specific activity underlying social interactions. We provide a protocol for the integration of fiber photometry recordings into the analysis of social behavior in rodent models. This includes considerations during surgery, notes on synchronizing fiber photometry with behavioral recordings, advice on using multi-animal behavioral tracking software, and scripts for the analysis of fiber photometry recordings. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Dawson et al. (2023).1 [Display omitted] •Viral infusion and optic cannula implantation in the brain's region of interest•Acquisition of time-locked fiber photometry data and social interaction videos•Behavioral classification utilizing user-guided semi-automated analysis pipelines•Photometry and behavior alignment to study neuron activity during social behavior Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. Fiber photometry offers insight into cell-type-specific activity underlying social interactions. We provide a protocol for the integration of fiber photometry recordings into the analysis of social behavior in rodent models. This includes considerations during surgery, notes on synchronizing fiber photometry with behavioral recordings, advice on using multi-animal behavioral tracking software, and scripts for the analysis of fiber photometry recordings.