This work was supported by The National Institute of Health (NIH-2RO1NS033661) and by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (HATCH ALA021-1-09017).

NOTA: Todos os procedimentos aqui realizados foram submetidos e aprovados pelo IACUC (Office of Compliance Research) e foram realizadas seguindo as diretrizes do NIH. Ratos usado no paradigma testes comportamentais eram ingênuas e não utilizados para outros testes. O C57BL / 6 selvagem Tipo e bater para fora ratos utilizados no presente protocolo têm sido descritos anteriormente 9 e os dados aqui apresentados são de que manuscrito. 1. Preparação da sala de teste e campo aberto Apparatus <ol><li> Usar um campo aberto labirinto unidade múltipla (OFM) que consiste em quatro câmaras de actividade foi usado para esta análise (Figura 1). Cada câmara medido 50 cm (comprimento) x 50 cm (largura) x 38 cm (altura) e foi feita a partir de alta densidade branco e plástico não-porosa. </li><li> Textura os andares do labirinto para a tração durante a deambulação, enquanto as paredes do labirinto eram lisas. Maze quadrantes foram completamente vazio para o objectivo do presente ensaio. Tendo em consideração o resto deste protocol, um único quadrante do labirinto acima descrito, irá ser utilizada para demonstrar a OFM. </li><li> Limpe a câmara com um 95% de etanol antes do uso e antes dos testes subsequentes para remover quaisquer indícios de cheiro deixados pelo mouse assunto anterior. </li><li> Permitir que o etanol se evaporar completamente antes de testar ratinhos. Isso pode levar 5-10 min entre cada sessão de testes. </li><li> Para esta análise, use o software SMART Video Rastreamento de Panlab / Harvard Apparatus para registrar e avaliar o movimento do mouse. NOTA: Qualquer câmera de monitoramento de vídeo comercial e software pode ser usado para rastrear o assunto de teste e avaliar os resultados do labirinto campo aberto. É muito importante para o usuário final para entender como calibrar e executar o software usado para cada análise individual. Independentemente da câmera de vídeo e software de rastreamento usado, os melhores resultados são obtidos quando a câmera e software estão corretamente calibrados de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. </li><li> Realize o teste ipadrão na iluminada sala capaz de conter o aparelho labirinto eo computador necessário para executar o software. Suspender a câmera de vídeo acima do labirinto ou anexando-o para o teto ou usando qualquer sistema de apoio elevada que permite que a lente da câmera para ver toda a área do labirinto (Figura 2). </li><li> Como administrador humano do teste, certifique-se de ter espaço suficiente no quarto para ser completamente não-observável pelos assuntos de teste no labirinto de modo a não influenciar o comportamento dos camundongos. </li></ol> 2. Preparar o Software para medir a atividade <ol><li> Abra o software de vídeo Rastreamento. </li><li> Uma vez que o software é aberto, mova o cursor até a opção &quot;rastreamento individual de cada disciplina&quot;, localizada na aba &quot;Aquisição de Dados&quot; e único clique para abrir esta opção. </li><li> Escolha a opção &quot;Antecedentes estático&quot;, localizado na parte inferior do ecrã. </li><li> Depois de escolher o &quot;fundo Static&quot; é escolhidon, que é necessário para usar o software para tomar uma imagem do labirinto antes da adição dos sujeitos de teste. Para fazer isso, mova o cursor para o botão &quot;Photo&quot; localizado na parte inferior da tela e único clique. NOTA: O software irá tirar uma foto do cenário sem o assunto de teste que será subtraído da imagem tomada durante o processo de acompanhamento. Isto resulta em apenas o movimento do sujeito a ser analisada pelo software. </li><li> Confirmar que a imagem de fundo tomada de cima é completamente removida pelo software de seguimento movendo o cursor para o botão de &quot;teste&quot;, localizado na parte inferior da tela e clicar uma vez. Um campo sólido branco será mostrado se a imagem de fundo é completamente removido a partir da imagem de rastreamento. Se as condições de iluminação ou mudar o labirinto é acidentalmente movido, você vai ver negros &quot;sombras&quot; neste domínio, indicando as duas imagens não se adequam perfeitamente coincidentes. Para remediar esta situação, basta repetir step 2.4 supra. </li><li> Depois de confirmar as configurações de fundo, use a opção Tempo &#39;para configurar o modo como o tempo é controlado durante a aquisição. Para fazer isso, mova o cursor para a aba &quot;Configuração&quot; e clique uma vez sobre o título &quot;intervalos&quot;. Use a nova janela aberta para inserir os parâmetros experimentais. </li><li> Para este protocolo, escolheu a opção &quot;tempo programado&quot; como período de acompanhamento de 10 min. Definir o &quot;período de latência&quot; a 5 segundos para permitir que o utilizador coloque o rato no centro do labirinto e afastar-se antes do início do acompanhamento. Introduzir o &quot;tempo de aquisição&quot; de 10 min durante a duração do teste. Defina o &quot;Pare de controle&quot; definida como &quot;Quando o tempo programado (10 min) é longo&quot;, que desliga-se automaticamente a câmera e a função de acompanhamento do software. </li><li> Mova o cursor para o botão &quot;Fechar&quot; depois de todos os tempos foram definidos para fechar a janela. Agora você está pronto para iniciar o testeing procedimento. </li></ol> 3. Administração do Aberto Campo de Provas NOTA: O pacote de software usado neste protocolo permite o rastreamento de até 16 ratos individuais ao mesmo tempo. Para facilidade de realização e, como mencionado acima, o protocolo discutidos aqui é para um único rato usando um único quadrante da OFM. Para o equipamento em uso para este protocolo, um máximo de 4 ratos individuais poderiam ser rastreados usando cada quadrante do labirinto. Se utilizando um labirinto multi-gabinete, depois de colocar o primeiro mouse assunto no quadrante definido, coloque os ratos restantes em seu respectivo quadrante labirinto para análise de rastreamento. Para efeitos do presente protocolo, mais instrução será específica para um único quadrante do labirinto. <ol><li> Traga os ratos em suas gaiolas de sua sala que abriga a sala de ensaios. Permitir que a ratinhos para se aclimatarem ao ambiente do processo durante um período mínimo de 30 minutos antes de se iniciar o teste. </li><li> Retirar um único mOuse desde a gaiola, segurando gentilmente sua cauda e coloque o mouse no meio do labirinto campo aberto ao mesmo tempo em ativar o software SMART simplesmente clicando no botão Iniciar para começar a acompanhar o movimento do mouse. É normal que o mouse para mover imediatamente para as paredes periféricas do labirinto e do calendário de liberação e captura do mouse rastreamento deverá coincidir para gravar este movimento. </li><li> Permitir livre e ininterrupto movimento do mouse assunto durante o respectivo quadrante do labirinto para um único período de 10 minutos durante os quais, o software de rastreamento irá gravar o movimento (Figura 3). </li><li> No final do período de teste, pegar o mouse assunto suavemente, removendo-o do labirinto e devolvê-lo à sua gaiola. </li><li> Antes da limpeza do labirinto, contar visualmente os peletes boli fecais presentes no labirinto e gravar os números manualmente para análise posterior. </li><li> Remova todas as pelotas fecais e limpe todas as manchas de urina. Pulverizar o chão e as paredes do quadrante labirinto com 95% de etanol e limpe com uma toalha de papel. Permitir que a solução de etanol para secar completamente antes de testar outros ratinhos. </li><li> Repita o procedimento com o próximo mouse. </li></ol> 4. Medição e Análise do Comportamento Durante procedimentos de teste NOTA: Para a medição, três aspectos do comportamento campo aberto são facilmente caracterizados utilizando este protocolo (ver discussão). Uma breve instrução sobre como acessar essas medições no software de monitoramento de vídeo segue. <ol><li> Na tela principal do software SMART, mova o cursor para a &quot;Zones&quot; tab e único clique &quot;Definition&quot; para abrir o Editor Zone. </li><li> Siga as instruções detalhadas no Manual do Usuário do software SMART que definir as zonas ou grades para sobrepor sobre os caminhos de rastreamento. Aqui, o software foi utilizado para definir uma grade 5 x 5 de 10 centímetros quadrados cobrindo o chão do labirinto ( <strong&gt; Figura 4). Certifique-se de salvar o arquivo de zona criado antes de fechar o Editor Zone. </li><li> Na tela principal do software SMART, mova o cursor para a aba &quot;Análise&quot; e único clique para abrir a janela de Análise de Dados. </li><li> Mova o cursor até a guia &quot;Arquivo&quot; e abra o arquivo Zona criado acima. </li><li> Mova o cursor para a aba &quot;Configuração&quot; e abra a opção &quot;Track Analysis&quot;. Isso abrirá a janela &quot;configuração análise Single-assunto&quot;. <ol><li> Mova o cursor para a aba &quot;Standard&quot; e mova o parâmetro &quot;Distância Percorrida&quot; na caixa de parâmetros disponíveis, (lado esquerdo) para a caixa de parâmetros incluídos (lado direito). </li><li> Mova o cursor para a aba &quot;zonas Transitions&quot; e mover todos os parâmetros apropriados para a caixa de parâmetros incluídos como acima. </li><li> Verifique se a caixa &quot;Track Full&quot; é verificada na parte inferior da janela. </li><li> Move o cursor para o botão OK e feche a janela de configuração de análise individual de cada disciplina. NOTA: Dependendo da análise que deseja realizar, muitas outras opções podem ser escolhidos nesta janela de explorar dados de análise. Leia o manual do seu programa específico do Usuário detalhado de parâmetros para determinar o que são os mais importantes para a análise de seus dados. </li></ol></li><li> Sob a guia Arquivo no canto superior esquerdo da janela do programa, abra a janela pista sujeito único e coloque uma marca de seleção ao lado de todas as faixas que está sendo analisado. Mova o cursor para o botão Check Mark, na parte superior da janela e clique para fechar a janela de Pista Explorer. </li><li> Mova o cursor para o botão &quot;Go&quot; na janela de Análise de Dados e único clique para iniciar a análise dos dados da faixa. </li><li> Análise de dados pode ser a saída tanto como arquivos de texto ASCII, ou pode ser exportado diretamente em uma planilha do Excel. Use as ferramentas de saída do programa de software que você está usando para a saída do data para seu próprio uso. NOTA: A distância total percorrida e do tempo passado nas zonas indicadas será a saída seguindo as etapas de análise de dados descritos acima. Mais uma vez, salienta-se que os passos para chegar a estas medições representados aqui serão diferentes dependendo do software do usuário utilizado. Mas os dados em si e à interpretação dos resultados deve ser independente semelhante do programa de software usado. Também é importante notar que o viés administrador do teste é removido este protocolo como todos os dados coletados é quantificado dados medidos pelo software e não o administrador. Assim, não há nenhum elemento qualificável com os dados coletados, como descrito. </li></ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

O campo aberto Maze é uma das plataformas mais utilizadas em estudos de comportamento dos animais. Uma série de importantes parâmetros convencionais e etológicas 2,4 podem ser coletadas e analisadas durante a execução da OFM. Estes dados permitem que o pesquisador para medir comportamentos que variam de actividade global locomotor a comportamentos emocionais relacionados à ansiedade 8. No entanto, o uso de OFM não é sem suas deficiências. Uma questão de confusão é a ampla gama de vari?...

The Open Field Maze (OFM) was initially developed in 1934 as a test to measure emotionality in rodents1. It has attained the status of being one of the most widely used measures of behavior in animal psychology2. It provides an easy and fairly rapid assessment of well-defined behaviors requiring no training to the test subject and little to no specialized training for the human administering the test. These attributes have led to wide-spread use of the open field maze in research extended to other animal species such as calves, pigs, rabbits, primates, honeybees and lobsters3. Part of its popularity arises from the fact that the psychological and physiological concepts underlying the tests are generally straight-forward and well understood. For example, it has been postulated that evolutionary forces have selected for a common response in animals such that most species display anxiety-mediated fear or flight responses to specific stimuli. Rodents for example, show distinct aversions to large, brightly lit, open and unknown environments4. We can assume they have been phylogenetically conditioned to see these types of environments as dangerous. All of these features are incorporated in the open field maze and form the basis of its use in behavioral paradigm testing.
An open field maze consists of a wall-enclosed area that is of sufficient height to prevent the subject from escaping. Typical maze shapes are circular or square with an area large enough, based on the size of the subject tested, to elicit a feeling of openness in the center of the maze. A number of variables can be scored in the open field maze with most parameters involving differing types of motor activity2. Ambulation is the most common behavior studied but others such as latency or rearing can also be measured. Most often, rodent behavior is analyzed in a bare maze. However, the addition of objects, either one or many to the maze floor, adds the ability to see how the subject interacts with novel additional stimuli2. Relevant parameters when objects are presented are typically the number of approaches to an object or in some cases, preference or aversion for one object over another.
Many behavioral tests of anxiety are based on the subject animal&#8217;s body activity and locomotion5. Interpreting behavioral tests for emotionality while separating non-emotional confounding factors, such as motor activity, has been the subject of intense debate6,7. As the OFM was originally described, two measures of emotionality can be deduced, locomotor activity and fecal boli deposits or defecation1. However, these two measures have been shown in some studies to be unrelated supporting the conclusion that emotionality in rodents is multidimensional5. Regardless, discrepancies in the literature regarding these measures and emotionality or anxiety in mouse models may be attributed to differences in analysis criteria or differences in testing procedures. Studies have conclusively linked results from OFM analysis with other measures of anxiety when comparing mouse models8.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Multi Unit Open Field Test</td><td>San Diego Instruments, Inc.</td><td>White 7001-0354</td><td>Any single or multi unit open field maze can be used</td></tr><tr><td>SMART DT Tracking Software</td><td>PanLab/Harvard Apparatus</td><td>76-0695</td><td>Any tracking software can be utilized with this protocol</td></tr><tr><td>Sony 990x Video Camera Recorder</td><td>Sony</td><td>CCD-TRV328</td><td>Any suitable video camera can be attached to computer for recording tracking profiles.</td></tr></tbody></table>

use of the open field maze to measure locomotor and anxiety-like behavior in mice

Animal models have proven to be invaluable to researchers trying to answer questions regarding the mechanisms of behavior. The Open Field Maze is one of the most commonly used platforms to measure behaviors in animal models. It is a fast and relatively easy test that provides a variety of behavioral information ranging from general ambulatory ability to data regarding the emotionality of the subject animal. As it relates to rodent models, the procedure allows the study of different strains of mice or rats both laboratory bred and wild-captured. The technique also readily lends itself to the investigation of different pharmacological compounds for anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects. Here, a protocol for use of the open field maze to describe mouse behaviors is detailed and a simple analysis of general locomotor ability and anxiety-related emotional behaviors between two strains of C57BL/6 mice is performed. Briefly, using the described protocol we show Wild Type mice exhibited significantly less anxiety related behaviors than did age-matched Knock Out mice while both strains exhibited similar ambulatory ability.

O número médio de indivíduos por estirpe de ratinhos testados, na maioria dos casos é de aproximadamente 20 para gerar relevância estatística suficiente. No entanto, este número pode estar na gama de 8-30, dependendo da disponibilidade do rato. Dependendo da medida ou comparações necessário, também é favorável utilizar pareados por idade. O primeiro e talvez o mais importante parâmetro específico para medir no campo aberto Maze é a distância ambulatorial total. Enquanto a un...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Use of the Open Field Maze to Measure Locomotor and Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice at JoVE.com

Use of the Open Field Maze to Measure Locomotor and Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice

A protocol is provided to use an Open Field Maze to access general locomotor activity, anxiety and emotionality in a laboratory mouse model.

A utilização do campo aberto Maze medir Locomotor e Ansiedade-like Comportamento no Mice

Animal models have proven to be invaluable to researchers trying to answer questions regarding the mechanisms of behavior. The Open Field Maze is one of ...

use-open-field-maze-to-measure-locomotor-anxiety-like-behavior

Universidad San Sebastian

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

72.4K visualizações.  Auburn University. A protocol is provided to use an Open Field Maze to access general locomotor activity, anxiety and emotionality in a laboratory mouse model.

Vídeo: Use of the Open Field Maze to Measure Locomotor and Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice

The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats

The plus-maze was derived from the early work of Montgomery. He observed that rats tended to avoid the open arms of a maze, preferring the enclosed ones. Handley, Mithani and File et al. performed the first studies on the plus-maze design we use today, and in 1987 Lister published a design for use with mice. 
Time spent on, and entries into, the open arms are an index of anxiety; the lower these indices, the more anxious the mouse is. Alternatively, a mouse that spends most of its time in the closed arms is classed as anxious. 
One of the problems of the plus-maze is that, while time spent on, and entries into, the open arms is a fairly unambiguous measure of anxiety, time in the central area is more difficult to interpret, although time spent here has been classified as &#x201C;decision making&#x201D;. In many tests central area time is a considerable part of the total test time.
Shepherd et al. produced an ingenious design to eliminate the central area, which they called the &#x201C;zero maze&#x201D;. However, although used by several groups, it has never been as widely adopted as the plus-maze. 
In the present article I describe a modification of the plus-maze design that not only eliminates the central area but also incorporates elements from other anxiety tests, such as the light-dark box and emergence tests. It is a linear series of four alleys, each having increasing anxiogenic properties. It has given similar results to the plus-maze in general. Although it may not be more sensitive than the plus-maze (more data is needed before a firm conclusion can be reached on this point), it provides a useful confirmation of plus-maze results which would be useful when, for example, only a single example of a mutant mouse was available, as, for example, in ENU-based mutagenesis programs.

The plus-maze measures anxiety-like behaviour in rodents. There are two opposite closed and two opposite open arms; anxious rodents avoid the open arms. The central area is neither completely open nor closed, so time spent here is ambiguous and difficult to interpret. Here a modification of the plus-maze protocol eliminating this area is described.

O Becos Teste sucessiva de ansiedade em camundongos e ratos

The plus-maze was derived from the early work of Montgomery. He observed that rats tended to avoid the open arms of a maze, preferring the enclosed ones.  ...

Comportamento

Low-stress Route Learning Using the Lashley III Maze in Mice

Many behavior tests designed to assess learning and memory in rodents, particularly mice, rely on visual cues, food and/or water deprivation, or other aversive stimuli to motivate task acquisition. As animals age, sensory modalities deteriorate. For example, many strains of mice develop hearing deficits or cataracts. Changes in the sensory systems required to guide mice during task acquisition present potential confounds in interpreting learning changes in aging animals. Moreover, the use of aversive stimuli to motivate animals to learn tasks is potentially confounding when comparing mice with differential sensitivities to stress. To minimize these types of confounding effects, we have implemented a modified version of the Lashley III maze. This maze relies on route learning, whereby mice learn to navigate a maze via repeated exposure under low stress conditions, e.g. dark phase, no food/water deprivation, until they navigate a path from the start location to a pseudo-home cage with 0 or 1 error(s) on two consecutive trials. We classify this as a low-stress behavior test because it does not rely on aversive stimuli to encourage exploration of the maze and learning of the task. The apparatus consists of a modular start box, a 4-arm maze body, and a goal box. At the end of the goal box is a pseudo-home cage that contains bedding similar to that found in the animal&#x2019;s home cage and is specific to each animal for the duration of maze testing. It has been demonstrated previously that this pseudo-home cage provides sufficient reward to motivate mice to learn to navigate the maze1. Here, we present the visualization of the Lashley III maze procedure in the context of evaluating age-related differences in learning and memory in mice along with a comparison of learning behavior in two different background strains of mice. We hope that other investigators interested in evaluating the effects of aging or stress vulnerability in mice will consider this maze an attractive alternative to behavioral tests that involve more stressful learning tasks and/or visual cues.

The Lashley III maze is a route-learning task that does not rely on aversive stimuli or visual cues. It is thus a highly attractive option for evaluating learning and memory, especially in aging mice or otherwise where stress is a consideration.

Baixa tensão de Aprendizagem Route Usando o Lashley Maze III em Ratos

Many behavior tests designed to assess learning and memory in rodents, particularly mice, rely on visual cues, food and/or water deprivation, or other ...

Neurociência

Barnes Maze Testing Strategies with Small and Large Rodent Models

Spatial learning and memory of laboratory rodents is often assessed via navigational ability in mazes, most popular of which are the water and dry-land (Barnes) mazes. Improved performance over sessions or trials is thought to reflect learning and memory of the escape cage/platform location. Considered less stressful than water mazes, the Barnes maze is a relatively simple design of a circular platform top with several holes equally spaced around the perimeter edge. All but one of the holes are false-bottomed or blind-ending, while one leads to an escape cage. Mildly aversive stimuli (e.g.&#160;bright overhead lights) provide motivation to locate the escape cage. Latency to locate the escape cage can be measured during the session; however, additional endpoints typically require video recording. From those video recordings, use of automated tracking software can generate a variety of endpoints that are similar to those produced in water mazes (e.g.&#160;distance traveled, velocity/speed, time spent in the correct quadrant, time spent moving/resting, and confirmation of latency). Type of search strategy (i.e.&#160;random, serial, or direct) can be categorized as well. Barnes maze construction and testing methodologies can differ for small rodents, such as mice, and large rodents, such as rats. For example, while extra-maze cues are effective for rats, smaller wild rodents may require intra-maze cues with a visual barrier around the maze. Appropriate stimuli must be identified which motivate the rodent to locate the escape cage. Both Barnes and water mazes can be time consuming as 4-7 test trials are typically required to detect improved learning and memory performance (e.g.&#160;shorter latencies or path lengths to locate the escape platform or cage) and/or differences between experimental groups. Even so, the Barnes maze is a widely employed behavioral assessment measuring spatial navigational abilities and their potential disruption by genetic, neurobehavioral manipulations, or drug/ toxicant exposure.

The dry-land Barnes maze is widely used to measure spatial navigation ability in response to mildly aversive stimuli. Over consecutive days, performance (e.g.&#160;latency to locate escape cage) of control subjects improves, indicative of normal learning and memory. Differences between rats and mice necessitate apparatus and methodology changes that are detailed here.

Barnes Estratégias Teste Labirinto com pequenas e grandes roedores Modelos

Spatial learning and memory of laboratory rodents is often assessed via navigational ability in mazes, most popular of which are the water and dry-land ...

Place and Response Learning in the Open-field Tower Maze

This protocol describes how the Open-field Tower Maze (OFTM) paradigm is used to study spatial learning in rodents. This maze is especially useful for examining how rats learn to use a place- or response-learning to successfully navigate in an open-field arena. Additionally, this protocol describes how the OFTM differs from other behavioral maze paradigms that are commonly used to study spatial learning in rodents. The OFTM described in this article was adapted from the one previously described by Cole, Clipperton, and Walt (2007). Specifically, the OFTM was created to test spatial learning in rodents without the experimenter having to consider how &#8220;stress&#8221; might play a role as a confounding variable. Experiments have shown that stress-alone can significantly affect cognitive function1. The representative results section contains data from an experiment that used the OFTM to examine the effects of estradiol treatment on place- and response-learning in adult female Sprague Dawley rats2. Future studies will be designed to examine the role of the hippocampus and striatum in place- and response-learning in the OFTM.

The Open-field Tower Maze (OFTM) is a maze created to study the behavioral and neural mechanisms of spatial learning (e.g., place- or response-learning) in rats. This maze is especially useful for experimenters who want to use a non-stressful maze paradigm to investigate spatial learning in their research.

Coloque e Aprendizagem Response no Open-campo Torre Maze

This protocol describes how the Open-field Tower Maze (OFTM) paradigm is used to study spatial learning in rodents. This maze is especially useful for ...

Novel Object Exploration as a Potential Assay for Higher Order Repetitive Behaviors in Mice

Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disrupt the lives of affected individuals. RRBs are commonly split into lower-order and higher-order components, with lower order RRBs consisting of motor stereotypies and higher order RRBs consisting of perseverative and sequencing behaviors. Higher order RRBs are challenging to model in mice. Current assays for RRBs in mice focus primarily on the lower order components, making basic biomedical research into potential treatments or interventions for higher-order RRBs difficult. Here we describe a new assay, novel object exploration. This assay uses a basic open-field arena with four novel objects placed around the perimeter. The test mouse is allowed to freely explore the arena and the order in which the mouse investigates the novel objects is recorded. From these data, patterned sequences of exploration can be identified, as can the most preferred object for each mouse. The representative data shared here and past results using the novel object exploration assay illustrate that inbred mouse strains do demonstrate different behavior in this assay and that strains with elevated lower order RRBs also show elevated patterned behavior. As such, the novel object exploration assay appears to possess good face validity for higher order RRBs in humans and may be a valuable assay for future studies investigating novel therapeutics for ASD.

Higher order restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) disrupt the lives of affected individuals. These behaviors are challenging to model in rodents, making basic biomedical research into potential treatments or interventions for RRBs difficult. Here we describe novel object exploration as a potential assay for higher order RRBs in mice.

Exploração objeto romance como um ensaio de Potencial de ordem superior comportamentos repetitivos em Ratos

Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disrupt the lives of affected individuals.  RRBs are ...

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice

Although the mouse genome is now completely sequenced, the functions of most of the genes expressed in the brain are not known. The influence of a given gene on a specific behavior can be determined by behavioral analysis of mutant mice. If a target gene is expressed in the brain, behavioral phenotype of the mutant mice could elucidate the genetic mechanism of normal behaviors. The elevated plus maze test is one of the most widely used tests for measuring anxiety-like behavior. The test is based on the natural aversion of mice for open and elevated areas, as well as on their natural spontaneous exploratory behavior in novel environments. The apparatus consists of open arms and closed arms, crossed in the middle perpendicularly to each other, and a center area. Mice are given access to all of the arms and are allowed to move freely between them. The number of entries into the open arms and the time spent in the open arms are used as indices of open space-induced anxiety in mice. Unfortunately, the procedural differences that exist between laboratories make it difficult to duplicate and compare results among laboratories. Here, we present a detailed movie demonstrating our protocol for the elevated plus maze test. In our laboratory, we have assessed more than 90 strains of mutant mice using the protocol shown in the movie. These data will be disclosed as a part of a public database that we are now constructing.
Visualization of the protocol will promote better understanding of the details of the entire experimental procedure, allowing for standardization of the protocols used in different laboratories and comparisons of the behavioral phenotypes of various strains of mutant mice assessed using this test. 


The elevated plus maze test is one of the most widely used tests for measuring anxiety-like behavior in mice. Here, we present a movie showing the detailed procedures for conducting the test.

Labirinto elevado para Ratos

Although the mouse genome is now completely sequenced, the functions of most of the genes expressed in the brain are not known. The influence of a given ...

Biologia

Analyzing Spatial Learning and Prosocial Behavior in Mice Using the Barnes Maze and Damsel-in-Distress Paradigms

The Barnes maze is a reliable measure of spatial learning and memory that does not require food restriction or exposure to extremely stressful stimuli. The Barnes maze can also assess other mouse behaviors, such as general motivation to escape from the maze platform and exploratory behavior. The Barnes maze can measure whether a genetic mutation or environmental variable can impact the acquisition and retention of spatial memories, as well as provide information about the search strategy employed by the mice. Here we use the Barnes maze to detect a memory deficit in adult mice following a single developmental ethanol exposure event. The newly described Damsel-in-Distress paradigm exposes a male mouse to a female mouse trapped in a chamber in the open center field of the arena. It provides an opportunity for the mouse to socially respond to the trapped female and exhibit prosocial behavior. The Damsel-in-Distress paradigm can also be used to examine mouse behavior in a novel arena and measure locomotor activity. Both the Barnes Maze and the Damsel-in-Distress protocols require minimal financial investment and most aspects of the tests can be constructed from common lab supplies. These flexible and accessible tools can also be used to detect behavioral changes over the course of development.

This protocol measures spatial learning and memory using the Barnes maze. A novel Damsel-in-Distress paradigm is used to assess locomotor activity and prosocial behavior in mice.

Analisando a aprendizagem espacial e comportamento pró-social nos ratos usando o labirinto de Barnes e paradigmas de donzela em apuros

The Barnes maze is a reliable measure of spatial learning and memory that does not require food restriction or exposure to extremely stressful stimuli. ...

A Behavioral Test Battery for the Repeated Assessment of Motor Skills, Mood, and Cognition in Mice

Pharmacological and toxicological studies in neurodegeneration require comprehensive behavioral analysis in mice because motor dysfunctions and dysfunctions in mood and cognition are common and often shared symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases. Shown here is a behavioral test battery for motor, mood, and cognition, which can be repeatedly tested in a longitudinal study. This battery assesses the overall behavioral phenotype in mice by examining each domain of behavior with at least two independent well-accepted tests (i.e., open-field test and rotarod test for motor function, social interaction test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swim test for emotional function, and Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test for cognitive function). Therefore, this sensitive and comprehensive test battery is a powerful tool for the study of behavioral alternation in neurodegeneration.

A comprehensive behavioral test battery of motor skills, mood&#8212;including social interaction, depression, and anxiety&#8212;and cognition is designed for the repeated assessment of neurodegeneration-related behavioral changes in mice.

Uma bateria de testes comportamentais para a avaliação repetida das habilidades motoras, humor e cognição em ratos

Pharmacological and toxicological studies in neurodegeneration require comprehensive behavioral analysis in mice because motor dysfunctions and ...

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by headache and sensory abnormalities, such as hypersensitivity to light, observed as photophobia. Whilst it is impossible to confirm that a mouse is experiencing migraine, light aversion can be used as a behavioral surrogate for the migraine symptom of photophobia. To test for light aversion, we utilize the light/dark assay to measure the time mice freely choose to spend in either a light or dark environment. The assay has been refined by introducing two critical modifications: pre-exposures to the chamber prior to running the test procedure and adjustable chamber lighting, permitting the use of a range of light intensities from 55 lux to 27,000 lux. Because the choice to spend more time in the dark is also indicative of anxiety, we also utilize a light-independent anxiety test, the open field assay, to distinguish anxiety from light-aversive behavior. Here, we describe a modified test paradigm for the light/dark and open field assays. The application of these assays is described for intraperitoneal injection of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in two mouse strains and for optogenetic brain stimulation studies.

Rodents are not able to report migraine symptoms. Here, we describe a manageable test paradigm (light/dark and open field assays) to measure light aversion, one of the most common and bothersome symptoms in patients with migraines.

Investigando comportamento semelhante à enxaqueca usando aversão à luz em camundongos

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by headache and sensory abnormalities, such as hypersensitivity to light, observed as ...

Validando um modelo murino da síndrome de Angelman usando testes comportamentais

Behavioral Characterization of an Angelman Syndrome Mouse Model

This manuscript describes a battery of behavioral tests available to characterize Angelman syndrome (AS)-like phenotypes in an established murine model of AS. We use the rotarod learning paradigm, detailed gait analysis, and nest building test to detect and characterize animal motor impairments. We test animal emotionality in the open field and elevated plus maze tests, as well as the affect in the tail suspension test. When AS mice are tested in the open field test, the results should be interpreted with care, since motor dysfunctions influence mouse behavior in the maze and alter activity scores.
The reproducibility and effectiveness of the presented behavioral tests has already been validated in several independent Uba3a mouse lines with different knockout variants, establishing this set of tests as an excellent validation tool in AS research. Models with the relevant construct and face validity will warrant further investigations to elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease and grant the development of causal treatments.

Autor em destaque: uma bateria de testes comportamentais altamente reproduzíveis para validar um modelo murino da síndrome de Angelman 

This manuscript presents a set of highly reproducible behavioral tests to validate an Angelman syndrome mouse model.

Caracterização comportamental de um modelo de camundongo com síndrome de Angelman

This manuscript describes a battery of behavioral tests available to characterize Angelman syndrome (AS)-like phenotypes in an established murine model of ...