DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cnp5hqcj7
title: Remote automated delivery of mechanical stimuli coupled to brain recordings in behaving mice

description: The canonical framework for testing pain and mechanical sensitivity in
 rodents is manual delivery of stimuli to the paw. However, this approach
 is time consuming, produces variability in results, requires significant
 training, and is ergonomically unfavorable to the experimenter. To
 circumvent limitations in manual delivery of stimuli, we have created a
 device called the ARM (Automated Reproducible Mechano-stimulator). Built
 using a series of linear stages, cameras, and stimulus holders, the ARM is
 more accurate at hitting the desired target, delivers stimuli faster, and
 decreases variability in delivery of von Frey hair filaments. We
 demonstrate that the ARM can be combined with traditional measurements of
 pain behavior and automated machine-learning based pipelines. Importantly,
 the ARM enables remote testing of mice with experimenters outside the
 testing room. Using remote testing, we found that mice habituated more
 quickly when an experimenter was not present and experimenter presence
 leads to significant sex-dependent differences in paw withdrawal and pain
 associated behaviors. Lastly, to demonstrate the utility of the ARM for
 neural circuit dissection of pain mechanisms, we combined the ARM with
 cellular-resolved microendoscopy in the amygdala, linking stimulus,
 behavior, and brain activity of amygdala neurons that encode negative pain
 states. Taken together, the ARM improves speed, accuracy, and robustness
 of mechanical pain assays and can be combined with automated pain
 detection systems and brain recordings to map central control of pain.
description: # Remote automated delivery of mechanical stimuli coupled to brain
 recordings in behaving mice Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.cnp5hqcj7](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cnp5hqcj7) ##
 Description of the data and file structure ### Files and variables Note:
 For further information on data analysis, rationale, and methods, see
 Burdge et al., 2025, ELife. #### File: 2nd_Cohort_Carragenan.zip
 **Description:** Video data for PAWS Carrageenan Experiments Burdge et
 al., 2025 Figure 3D.  2000 fps video data for baseline and carrageenan
 mice. Videos labeled based on timepoint, paw stimulate, stimulus, cage
 number, and mouse number within the cage. Matching metadata files
 included. #### File: 500fps.zip **Description:** Video data for 500 fps
 PAWS comparison Burdge et al., 2025 Supplementary Figure 3B-E. 500 fps
 video data for baseline and carrageenan mice. Videos labeled with cb for
 cotton swab, all others are pinprick. #### File: Open_Field-_July__24.zip
 **Description:** Video data for open field experiments, Burdge et al.,
 2025 Supplementary Figure 1D-G. Open field data recorded for stress assay.
 Videos labeled based on date and order, with matching anymaze tracking
 included. #### File: Habituation_Experiment.zip **Description:** Video
 data for Habituation experiments, Burdge et al., 2025, Figure 4 B-C. Day,
 cage, and order included in name.   #### File:
 August_Remote_Experiments.zip **Description:** Video data for stimulus
 delivery experiments, Burdge et al., 2025, Figure 4 E-J. 2000 fps video
 data for male and female mice. Videos labeled based on mouse sex,
 experimenter sex, cage number, stimulus type, and mouse number within the
 cage in that order. Matching metadata files included. #### File:
 October_Height_Regression.zip **Description:** Stimulus Intensity video
 data regression for Burdge et al., 2025, Figure 5 and Supplementary Figure
 5.  2000 fps video data for male and female mice. Videos labeled based on
 stimulus intensity (H#), the day the stimulus occurred, sex, cage number,
 and mouse number within the cage. Matching metadata files included. ###
 File: Inscopix_Experiments_(3).zip **Description:** Video data and BLA
 brain recordings for Burdge et al., 2025, Figure 6 and Supplementary
 Figure 6. Files are labeled based on the mouse (C#), stimulus type used,
 and date recorded. ISXD holds BLA recordings, matching the GPIO files hold
 data on stimulus timing within those recordings. Inscopix Behavior folders
 labeled with date recorded hold 2000 fps and 500 fps video data matching
 these recordings and GPIO. Videos labeled based on mouse, stimulus, and
 stimulus number. Matching metadata files included. ## Code/software
 Programs used for analysis: Photron FastCam Viewer (video and CiHX files),
 PAWS, Inscopix Data Processing, ANY-maze (.szk). GPIO and ISXD files can
 also be opened and analyzed using the open source `CIAtah` (pronounced
 cheetah; formerly calciumImagingAnalysis). The package and related
 tutorials can be found at
 [https://github.com/bahanonu/ciatah](https://github.com/bahanonu/ciatah)
 pain assessment at withdrawal speeds(PAWS) source:
 [https://osimon81.github.io/PAWS/](https://osimon81.github.io/PAWS/).