A nonhuman primate model, in the cynomolgous monkey, has been developed for longitudinal monitoring of neurophysiological and behavioral parameters. With this model we are able to test the cortical brain activity simultaneously with the muscle tension and the spontaneous or controlled behavioral patterns. In this test system the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) of the cynomolgous monkeys are registered telemetrically (implant TL10M3-D70-EEE, Data Sciences International). Furthermore, to induce a controlled alertness behavior, a coordination task has been developed. This test system consists of two variations: a static one and a dynamic one. The performance in this task is positively motivated by pieces of fruit. The rewards are placed horizontally at the left and right sides of the system. The animals can grasp the fruit rewards by using the contra-lateral hand at each side. Time and strategy (left or right hand first, easy or non-easy rewards first) were registered. In the static versions the easy reward takes less time to get. In the dynamic version, on the other hand, the more difficult reward is the fastest to reach. The strategy followed depends on the animal, but seems to be reproducible in time.

These techniques demonstrate that telemetry can be used for the monitoring of EEG and EMG in cynomolgous monkeys concurrently performing a motor-coordination task or, because the animals are monitored in their home cage, other behavioral patterns like sleeping. This gives the opportunity to get more inside in the neurological state of different types of behavior and to monitor the effects of psychoactive compounds.

© 2000 Noldus Information Technology b.v.