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ABSTRACT: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that results in
moderate to severe disability. A leading symptom of CFS is that patients
report critical reductions in their levels of physical activity due to
fatigue related symptoms. We have developed a rodent model, using rats,
hamsters, and mice, that enables us to investigate fatigue and
physiological rhythms in an integrated framework. The animal's activity
is one measure of great importance in the study of these rhythms and
chronic fatigue. To monitor a free-ranging rodent's activity we utilize
two complementing methods: first, is an infra-red photo beam to detect
and count turns of a running wheel, and second, is a force sensor
located under the housing tub to detect general motion. Both methods are
used in the animal's home cage and are made to be low cost, compared to
commercial units, for implementation on many animals
Bioengineering Conference, 1997., Proceedings of the IEEE 1997 23rd Northeast; 06/1997
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ABSTRACT: A signal processing algorithm to derive spectra of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in conscious rats is reported. In this algorithm, the carotid arterial blood pressure is acquired and the rhythmic fluctuations in SBP and HRV are analyzed with a spectral technique based on the fast Fourier transform. Three major components were examined in the spectra of both SBP and HRV, a high frequency component (HF) synchronized by respiration, a low-frequency component (LF) at a frequency of ~0.5 Hz and a very low-frequency component (VLF) at frequencies below 0.5 Hz
Bioengineering Conference, 1997., Proceedings of the IEEE 1997 23rd Northeast; 06/1997
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ABSTRACT: Our goal was to record electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiration data from an awake, freely moving rat. The technique presented here requires simple surgery in which two electrodes and a ground wire are placed subcutaneously across the chest, which is externalized via a connector on the top of the subjects head. From these leads it is possible to collect ECG in a standard two lead configuration, and respiration with impedance pneumography. Utilizing electrode placement and signal filtering we were able to obtain ECG from anaesthetized, and awake rats without the effects of motion artifact. Respiration was collected with little effect of motion in all but one subject which displayed excessive movement
Bioengineering Conference, 1997., Proceedings of the IEEE 1997 23rd Northeast; 06/1997
