Detecting fine and elaborate movements with piezo sensors provides non-invasive access to overlooked behavioral components

Behavioral phenotyping devices have been successfully used to build ethograms, but many aspects of behavior remain out of reach of available phenotyping systems. We now report on a novel device, which consists in an open-field platform resting on highly sensitive piezoelectric (electromechanical) pressure-sensors, with which we could detect the slightest movements (up to individual heart beats during rest) from freely moving rats and mice. The...