RMScratcher: An edge-AI platform for high-throughput analysis of rodent scratching behavior.

BACKGROUND

Quantitative analysis of rodent scratching is essential for studying somatosensory and neuroimmune mechanisms, yet scalable and high-throughput analysis remains challenging.

NEW METHOD: We developed RMScratcher, a compact platform combining multi-channel acquisition with Jetson TX2-based edge computing and an enhanced YOLOv8s framework. Incorporating GhostConv and Context Aggregation modules, the system achieves efficient and accurate detection of bouts, touch, duration and scratching region.

RESULTS

RMScratcher achieved > 95% accuracy in distinguishing scratching from other behaviors, reliably quantified bout, touch and duration, and scratching region. Performance was robust across multiple rodent models and experimental conditions.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING

METHODS

Manual scoring is slow and prone to bias, while existing automated tools often lack throughput and generalizability. Crucially, there is no known literature that identifies the scratching region. RMScratcher provides these capabilities with minimal hardware requirements.

CONCLUSIONS

RMScratcher extends the methodological toolkit for behavioral neuroscience by integrating video recording with intelligent computation. The platform facilitates reproducible studies of somatosensory function, neuroimmune interactions, behavioral phenotyping, and the neural mechanisms underlying abnormal sensory behaviors.