Real-time closed-loop feedback in behavioral time scales using DeepLabCut.

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Abstract

Computer vision approaches have made significant inroads into offline tracking of behavior and estimating animal poses. In particular, because of their versatility, deep-learning approaches have been gaining attention in behavioral tracking without any markers. Here we developed an approach using DeepLabCut for real-time estimation of movement. We trained a deep neural network offline with high-speed video data of a mouse whisking, then transferred the trained network to work with the same mouse, whisking in real-time. With this approach, we tracked the tips of three whiskers in an arc and converted positions into a TTL output within behavioral time scales, i.e. 10.5 milliseconds. With this approach it is possible to trigger output based on movement of individual whiskers, or on the distance between adjacent whiskers. Flexible closed-loop systems like the one we have deployed here can complement optogenetic approaches and can be used to directly manipulate the relationship between movement and neural activity.Significance statement Here we deploy a deep-neural network-based fast feedback method that can be used to reconfigure feedback to mice based on the movement of particular whiskers, or on the distance between particular whiskers. Our system generates feedback within 10.5 ms. Methods like the one we present here will steadily become part of the standard toolset for manipulating the interaction between the animal and its environment in behavioral time scales.
Copyright © 2021 Sehara et al.