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

NOTA: Tutte le procedure eseguite qui sono stati presentati ed approvati dalla IACUC (Office of Research Compliance) e sono state condotte seguendo le linee guida NIH. I topi utilizzati nel paradigma comportamentale di prova erano ingenui e non utilizzati per altri test. Il C57BL / 6 wild type e Knock Out topi utilizzati in questo protocollo sono stati descritti in precedenza 9 e i dati qui presentati sono da quel manoscritto. 1. Preparazione della Sala Prove e campo aperto Apparatus <ol><li> Utilizzare un&#39;unità multipla campo aperto labirinto (OFM), composto da quattro camere di attività è stato utilizzato per questa analisi (Figura 1). Ogni camera misura 50 cm (lunghezza) x 50 cm (larghezza) x 38 cm (altezza) e si è fatto da alta densità bianco e plastica non porosa. </li><li> Texture i pavimenti del labirinto per la trazione durante la deambulazione, mentre le pareti del labirinto erano lisce. Quadranti Maze erano completamente vuoto ai fini di questa prova. In considerazione del resto di questo protocol, un solo quadrante del labirinto sopra descritto sarà utilizzato per dimostrare la OFM. </li><li> Pulire la camera con etanolo 95% prima dell&#39;uso e prima prove successive per rimuovere eventuali tracce di profumo lasciate dal mouse precedente soggetto. </li><li> Lasciare che l&#39;etanolo di evaporare completamente prima di testare i topi. Questa operazione potrebbe richiedere 5-10 minuti tra ogni sessione di test. </li><li> Per questa analisi, utilizzare il software SMART Video inseguimento da PANLAB / Harvard Apparatus per registrare e valutare il movimento del mouse. NOTA: Qualsiasi commerciale telecamera di monitoraggio video e software possono essere utilizzati per seguire il soggetto di prova e valutare i risultati del labirinto campo aperto. E &#39;molto importante per l&#39;utente finale di capire come calibrare ed eseguire il software utilizzato per ogni singola analisi. Indipendentemente dalla telecamera e software di monitoraggio utilizzato, i risultati migliori si ottengono quando la telecamera ed il software sono calibrati correttamente secondo le istruzioni del produttore. </li><li> Eseguire l&#39;i testlivello na illuminata sala capace di contenere l&#39;apparato labirinto e il computer richieste per eseguire il software. Sospendere la videocamera sopra il labirinto sia collegandolo al soffitto o utilizzando qualsiasi sistema di supporto elevata che consente l&#39;obiettivo della fotocamera per vedere l&#39;intera area labirinto (figura 2). </li><li> L&#39;amministratore umano del test, assicurarsi di avere abbastanza spazio in camera per essere completamente inosservabile dai soggetti di prova nel labirinto in modo da non influenzare il comportamento dei topi. </li></ol> 2. Preparare il software per misurare l&#39;attività <ol><li> Aprire il software Video monitoraggio. </li><li> Una volta che il software è aperto, spostare il cursore sull&#39;opzione &quot;tracciamento singolo soggetto&quot; che si trova nella scheda &quot;Data Acquisition&quot; e solo clic per aprire questa opzione. </li><li> Scegliere l&#39;opzione &quot;sfondo statico&quot; che si trova nella parte inferiore dello schermo. </li><li> Dopo aver scelto &quot;sfondo statico&quot; è scelton, è necessario utilizzare il software per prendere un&#39;immagine del labirinto prima dell&#39;aggiunta dei soggetti di prova. Per fare questo, spostare il cursore sul pulsante &quot;Foto&quot; situato nella parte inferiore dello schermo e click. NOTA: Il software scattare una foto dello scenario senza che il soggetto di prova che verrà sottratto l&#39;immagine scattata durante il processo di monitoraggio. Ciò comporta solo il movimento del soggetto analizzata dal software. </li><li> Verificare che l&#39;immagine di sfondo presa sopra viene completamente rimosso dal software di monitoraggio spostando il cursore sul pulsante &quot;Test&quot; situato nella parte inferiore dello schermo e facendo clic una volta. Un campo bianco solido viene visualizzato se l&#39;immagine di sfondo è completamente rimosso dall&#39;immagine inseguimento. Se le condizioni di luce cambiano o il labirinto sono accidentalmente mossi, vedrete nere &quot;ombre&quot; in questo campo indicando le due immagini non perfettamente coincidenti. Per rimediare a questa situazione, è sufficiente ripetere step 2.4. </li><li> Dopo la conferma delle impostazioni di fondo, utilizzare l&#39;opzione Timing per configurare il modo in cui il tempo è controllato durante l&#39;acquisizione. Per fare questo, spostare il cursore nella scheda &quot;Configurazione&quot; e fare clic una volta sulla voce &quot;Tempi&quot;. Utilizzare la finestra appena aperta per immettere i parametri sperimentali. </li><li> Per questo protocollo, ha scelto l&#39;opzione &quot;tempo programmato&quot; da 10 minuti periodo di monitoraggio. Impostare &quot;periodo di latenza&quot; per 5 secondi per consentire all&#39;utente il tempo di posizionare il mouse al centro del labirinto e allontanarsi prima dell&#39;inizio del monitoraggio. Inserire il &quot;tempo di acquisizione&quot; di 10 min per la durata della prova. Impostare il &quot;Stop di controllo&quot; impostato su &quot;Quando il tempo programmato (10 min) è finita&quot;, che spegne automaticamente la fotocamera e la funzione di monitoraggio del software. </li><li> Spostare il cursore sul pulsante &quot;Chiudi&quot; dopo che tutti i tempi sono stati impostati per chiudere la finestra. Ora siete pronti per iniziare il testing procedura. </li></ol> 3. Gestione della Open Field Test NOTA: Il pacchetto software utilizzato in questo protocollo permette l&#39;inseguimento di fino a 16 topi individuali in una sola volta. Per facilitare la compilazione e come menzionato sopra, il protocollo qui discusso è per un singolo mouse utilizzando un singolo quadrante del OFM. Per le attrezzature in uso per questo protocollo, un massimo di 4 topi individuali potrebbe essere rintracciato con ogni quadrante del labirinto. Se utilizzando un labirinto multi-recinto, dopo aver piazzato il primo mouse soggetto nel suo quadrante definito, posizionare i restanti topi nel loro rispettivo quadrante labirinto per il monitoraggio di analisi. Ai fini del presente protocollo, ulteriori istruzioni sarà specifico di un singolo quadrante del labirinto. <ol><li> Portare i topi nelle loro gabbie a casa dalla loro camera alloggio nella stanza di prova. Lasciare i topi si adatti alla camera procedimento per almeno 30 minuti prima di iniziare il test. </li><li> Rimuovere un singolo mOuse dalla gabbia di casa afferrando delicatamente la coda e posizionare il mouse in mezzo al labirinto campo aperto, mentre contemporaneamente l&#39;attivazione del software SMART facendo un solo clic sul pulsante Start per iniziare a tracciare i movimenti del mouse. È normale che il mouse per spostare immediatamente alle pareti periferia del labirinto e la tempistica di rilascio e monitoraggio cattura del mouse dovrebbe coincidere per registrare questo movimento. </li><li> Lasciare libera e ininterrotta del mouse soggetto durante l&#39;rispettivo quadrante del labirinto per un singolo periodo di 10 minuti durante il quale, il software di monitoraggio registrerà movimento (Figura 3). </li><li> Al termine del periodo di prova, prendere il topo soggetto delicatamente, rimuovendolo dal labirinto e tornare alla sua gabbia casa. </li><li> Prima di pulire il labirinto, conta visivamente il pellet Boli fecali presenti nel labirinto e manualmente registrare i numeri per ulteriori analisi. </li><li> Rimuovere tutti i pellets fecali e pulire tutte le macchie di minzione. Spruzzare il pavimento e le pareti del quadrante labirinto con il 95% di etanolo e pulire con un tovagliolo di carta pulito. Lasciare la soluzione di etanolo si asciughi completamente prima di testare altri topi. </li><li> Ripetere la procedura con il prossimo mouse. </li></ol> 4. Misura e Analisi di comportamento durante Procedura di test NOTA: Per la misura, tre aspetti del comportamento in campo aperto sono prontamente caratterizzate con questo protocollo (vedi la discussione). Una breve istruzioni su come accedere a queste misure nel software di monitoraggio video segue. <ol><li> Dalla schermata principale del software SMART, spostare il cursore sulla scheda &quot;Zone&quot; e click &quot;Definition&quot; per aprire il Zone Editor. </li><li> Seguire le istruzioni dettagliate nel manuale d&#39;uso del software SMART di non definire zone o griglie di sovrapporre sui sentieri di monitoraggio. Qui, il software è stato utilizzato per definire una griglia 5 x 5 di 10 cm quadrati che coprono il pavimento del labirinto ( <strong&gt; Figura 4). Assicurarsi di salvare il file di zona creati prima di chiudere il Zone Editor. </li><li> Dalla schermata principale del software SMART, spostare il cursore sulla scheda &quot;Analysis&quot; e solo clic per aprire la finestra di analisi dei dati. </li><li> Spostare il cursore sulla scheda &quot;File&quot; e aprire il file di zona creato in precedenza. </li><li> Spostare il cursore sulla scheda &quot;Configurazione&quot; e aprire l&#39;opzione &quot;Analisi Track&quot;. Si aprirà la finestra &quot;Configurazione analisi singolo soggetto&quot;. <ol><li> Spostare il cursore sulla scheda &quot;Standard&quot; e passare il parametro &quot;distanza percorsa&quot; dalla casella Parametri disponibili (lato sinistro) alla casella Parametri Incluso (lato destro). </li><li> Spostare il cursore sulla scheda &quot;Zone Transitions&quot; e spostare tutti i parametri appropriati per il dialogo Parametri Incluso come sopra. </li><li> Assicurarsi che la casella &quot;Full Track&quot; è selezionata nella parte inferiore della finestra. </li><li> Momentove il cursore sul pulsante OK e chiudere la finestra di configurazione di analisi singolo soggetto. NOTA: In base all&#39;analisi che si desidera eseguire, molte altre opzioni possono essere scelti in questa finestra di dati miniera dall&#39;analisi. Leggere il Manuale utente dettagliata del vostro programma specifico per determinare quali parametri sono più importanti per l&#39;analisi dei dati. </li></ol></li><li> Nella scheda File in alto a sinistra della finestra del programma, aprire la finestra singola pista soggetto e mettere un segno di spunta accanto a tutte le tracce in corso di analisi. Spostare il cursore sul pulsante segno di spunta nella parte superiore della finestra e fare clic per chiudere la finestra Traccia Explorer. </li><li> Spostare il cursore sul pulsante &quot;Go&quot; nella finestra di analisi dei dati e solo clic per avviare l&#39;analisi dei dati della traccia. </li><li> I dati di analisi possono essere emessi sia come file di testo ASCII o può essere esportato direttamente in un foglio Excel. Utilizzare gli strumenti di uscita del programma software che si sta utilizzando per l&#39;uscita data per uso personale. NOTA: la distanza totale percorsa e il tempo trascorso in zone indicate verrà emesso seguendo la procedura di analisi dei dati di cui sopra. Anche in questo caso, si sottolinea che le misure per raggiungere queste misure rappresentate qui sarà diverso a seconda del software utente utilizzato. Ma i dati stessi e l&#39;interpretazione dei risultati dovrebbero essere simili indipendente dal programma software utilizzato. E &#39;anche interessante notare che pregiudizi amministratore di prova viene rimosso da questo protocollo, come tutti i dati raccolti è quantificato dati misurati dal software e non l&#39;amministratore. Quindi non vi è alcun elemento qualificabile per i dati raccolti come descritto. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Hall, C. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Emotional+behavior+in+the+rat:+defecation+and+urination+as+measures+of+individual+differences+in+emotionality.">Emotional behavior in the rat: defecation and urination as measures of individual differences in emotionality.</a> J. Comp. Psychol. 18, 385-403 (1934).</li><li>Walsh, R. N., Cummins, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+open+field+test:+a+critical+review.">The open field test: a critical review.</a> Psychol. Bull. 83, 482-504 (1976).</li><li>Prut, L., Belzung, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+open+field+as+a+paradigm+to+measure+the+effects+of+drugs+on+anxiety-like+behaviors:+a+review.">The open field as a paradigm to measure the effects of drugs on anxiety-like behaviors: a review.</a> Eur. J. of Pharm. 463, 3-33 (2003).</li><li>Choleris, E., Thomas, A. W., Kavaliers, M., Prato, F. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+detailed+ethological+analysis+of+the+mouse+open+field+test:+effects+of+diazepam,+chlordiazpoxide+and+an+extremely+low+frequency+pulsed+magnetic+field.">A detailed ethological analysis of the mouse open field test: effects of diazepam, chlordiazpoxide and an extremely low frequency pulsed magnetic field.</a> Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 25, 235-260 (2001).</li><li>Ramos, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+Models+of+anxiety:+do+I+need+multiple+tests.">Animal Models of anxiety: do I need multiple tests.</a> TIPS. 29, 493-498 (2008).</li><li>Archer, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tests+for+emotionality+in+rats+and+mice:+a+review.">Tests for emotionality in rats and mice: a review.</a> Anim. Behav. 21, 205-235 (1973).</li><li>Gray, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Emotionality+in+male+and+female+rodents:+a+reply+to+Archer.">Emotionality in male and female rodents: a reply to Archer.</a> Brit. J. Psych. 70, 425-440 (1979).</li><li>Carola, V., D&#8217;Olimpio, F., Brunamonti, E., Mangia, F., Renzi, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+the+elevated+plus-maze+and+open-field+tests+for+the+assessment+of+anxiety-related+behavior+in+inbred+mice.">Evaluation of the elevated plus-maze and open-field tests for the assessment of anxiety-related behavior in inbred mice.</a> Behav. Brain Res. 134, 49-57 (2002).</li><li>Ramesh Babu, J., Seibenhener, M. L., Peng, J., Strom, A. L., Kemppainen, R., Cox, N., Zhu, H., Wooten, M. C., Diaz-Meco, M. T., Moscat, J., Wooten, M. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+inactivation+of+p62+leads+to+accumulation+of+hyperphosphorylated+tau+and+neurodegeneration.">Genetic inactivation of p62 leads to accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and neurodegeneration.</a> J. Neurochem. 106, 107-120 (2008).</li><li>Simon, P., Dupuis, R., Costentin, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thigmotaxis+as+an+index+of+anxiety+in+mice:+influence+of+dopaminergic+transmissions.">Thigmotaxis as an index of anxiety in mice: influence of dopaminergic transmissions.</a> Behav. Brain Res. 61, 59-64 (1994).</li><li>Denenberg, V. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Open-field+behavior+in+the+rat:+what+does+it+mean.">Open-field behavior in the rat: what does it mean.</a> Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 159, 852-859 (1969).</li><li>Stanford, S. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+open+field+test:+reinventing+the+wheel.">The open field test: reinventing the wheel.</a> J. Psychopharm. 21, 134-135 (2007).</li><li>Ennaceur, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tests+of+unconditional+anxiety+&#8211;+pitfalls+and+disappointments.">Tests of unconditional anxiety &#8211; pitfalls and disappointments.</a> J. Phys. Behav. 135, 55-71 (2014).</li><li>Borta, A., Schwarting, R. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibitory+avoidance,+pain+reactivity,+and+plus-maze+behavior+in+Wistar+rats+with+high+versus+low+rearing+activity.">Inhibitory avoidance, pain reactivity, and plus-maze behavior in Wistar rats with high versus low rearing activity.</a> J. Phys. Behav. 84, 387-396 (2005).</li><li>Costall, B., Jones, B. J., Kelly, M. E., Naylor, R. J., Tomkins, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exploration+of+mice+in+a+black+and+white+test+box:+validation+as+a+model+of+anxiety.">Exploration of mice in a black and white test box: validation as a model of anxiety.</a> Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 32, 777-785 (1989).</li><li>Bouwknecht, J. A., Paylor, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pitfalls+in+the+interpretation+of+genetic+and+pharmacological+effects+on+anxiety-like+behavior+in+rodents.">Pitfalls in the interpretation of genetic and pharmacological effects on anxiety-like behavior in rodents.</a> Behav. Pharm. 19, 385-402 (2008).</li><li>Webster, D. G., Baumgardner, D. J., Dewsbury, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Open+field+behavior+in+eight+taxa+of+muriod+rodents.">Open field behavior in eight taxa of muriod rodents.</a> Bull. Psychonom. Soc. 13, 90-92 (1979).</li><li>Wilson, R. C., Vacek, T., Lanier, D. L., Dewsbury, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Open+field+behavior+in+muroid+rodents.">Open field behavior in muroid rodents.</a> Behav. Biol. 17, 495-506 (1976).</li><li>Crawley, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+phenotyping+of+transgenic+and+knockout+mice:+experimental+designs+and+evaluation+of+general+health,+sensory+functions,+motor+abilities+and+specific+behavioral+tests.">Behavioral phenotyping of transgenic and knockout mice: experimental designs and evaluation of general health, sensory functions, motor abilities and specific behavioral tests.</a> Brain Res. 835, 18-26 (1999).</li><li>Simon, P., Dupuis, R., Costentin, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thigmotaxis+as+an+index+of+anxiety+in+mice.+influence+of+dopaminergic+transmissions.">Thigmotaxis as an index of anxiety in mice. influence of dopaminergic transmissions.</a> Behav. Brain Res. 61, 59-64 (1994).</li><li>Miller, B. H., Schultz, L. E., Gulati, A., Su, A. I., Pletcher, M. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phenotypic+characterization+of+a+genetically+diverse+panel+of+mice+for+behavioral+despair+and+anxiety.">Phenotypic characterization of a genetically diverse panel of mice for behavioral despair and anxiety.</a> PLoS One. 5, e14458 (2010).</li><li>Tannenbaum, B., Anisman, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+of+chronic+intermittent+challenges+in+stressor-susceptible+and+resilient+strains+of+mice.">Impact of chronic intermittent challenges in stressor-susceptible and resilient strains of mice.</a> Biol. Psych. 53, 292-303 (2003).</li><li>Lister, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ethologically-based+animal+models+of+anxiety+disorders.">Ethologically-based animal models of anxiety disorders.</a> Pharmacol. Ther. 46, 321-340 (1990).</li><li>Kulesskaya, N., Voikar, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+mouse+anxiety-like+behavior+in+the+light-dark+box+and+open-field+arena:+role+of+equipment+and+procedure.">Assessment of mouse anxiety-like behavior in the light-dark box and open-field arena: role of equipment and procedure.</a> Phys. Behav. 133, 30-38 (2014).</li><li>Han, H., Du, W., Zhou, B., Zhang, W., Xu, G., Niu, R., Sun, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+chronic+fluoride+exposure+on+object+recognition+memory+and+mRNA+expression+of+SNARE+complex+in+hippocampus+of+male+mice.">Effects of chronic fluoride exposure on object recognition memory and mRNA expression of SNARE complex in hippocampus of male mice.</a> Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 158, 58-64 (2014).</li><li>Barrow, P., Leconte, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+influence+of+body+weight+on+open+field+and+swimming+maze+performance+during+the+post-weaning+period+in+the+rat.">The influence of body weight on open field and swimming maze performance during the post-weaning period in the rat.</a> Lab. Animals. 30, 22-27 (1996).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Il Campo Aperto Maze è una delle piattaforme più utilizzate in studi comportamentali su animali. Un certo numero di importanti parametri convenzionali e comportamentali 2,4 possono essere raccolti e analizzati durante l&#39;esecuzione del OFM. Questi dati permettono al ricercatore di misurare i comportamenti che vanno dall&#39;attività locomotoria generale di ansia legati comportamenti emotivi 8. Tuttavia, l&#39;uso di OFM non è priva di difetti. Un problema di confusione è la vasta gamma di v...

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 border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="631">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:160px;">Multi Unit Open Field Test</td>
			<td style="width:171px;">San Diego Instruments, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:109px;">White 7001-0354</td>
			<td style="width:192px;">Any single or multi unit open field maze can be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:160px;">SMART DT Tracking Software</td>
			<td style="width:171px;">PanLab/Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:109px;">76-0695</td>
			<td style="width:192px;">Any tracking software can be utilized with this protocol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;width:160px;">Sony 990x Video Camera Recorder</td>
			<td style="width:171px;">Sony</td>
			<td style="width:109px;">CCD-TRV328</td>
			<td style="width:192px;">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.

Il numero medio di individui per ceppo di topi testati nella maggior parte dei casi, è di circa il 20 per generare rilevanza statistica sufficiente. Tuttavia, questo numero può essere compreso nell&#39;intervallo di 8-30 a seconda della disponibilità mouse. A seconda della misura o comparazioni richiesto, è anche favorevole utilizzare soggetti di pari età. Il primo e forse più importante parametro specifico per misurare in campo aperto Maze è la distanza totale ambulatoriale. Mentre l...

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.

L&#39;uso del campo aperto Maze misurare Locomotore e ansia-come comportamento nei topi

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

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

71.3K Views.  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.

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

Shallow Water (Paddling) Variants of Water Maze Tests in Mice

When Richard Morris devised his water maze in 19817, most behavioral work was done in rats. However, the greater understanding of mouse genetics led to the mouse becoming increasingly important. But researchers found that some strains of mutant mice were prone to problems like passively floating or diving when they were tested in the Morris water maze11. This was unsurprising considering their natural habitat; rats swim naturally (classically, the "sewer rat"), whereas mice evolved in the dry areas of central Asia.
To overcome these problems, it was considered whether shallow water would be a sufficient stimulus to provide escape motivation for mice. This would also avoid the problems of drying the small creatures with a towel and then putting them in a heated recovery chamber to avoid hypothermia, which is a much more serious problem than with rats; the large ratio of surface area to volume of a mouse makes it particularly vulnerable to rapid heat loss.
Another consideration was whether a more natural escape strategy could be used, to facilitate learning. Since animals that fall into water and swim away from the safety of the shore are unlikely to pass on their genes, animals have evolved a natural tendency to swim to the edge of a body of water. The Morris water maze, however, requires them to swim to a hidden platform towards the center of the maze - exactly opposite to their evolved behavior. Therefore the paddling maze should incorporate escape to the edge of the apparatus. This feature, coupled with the use of relatively non-aversive shallow water, embodies the "Refinement" aspect of the "3 Rs" of Russell and Burch8.
Various types of maze design were tried; the common feature was that the water was always shallow (2 cm deep) and escape was via a tube piercing the transparent wall of the apparatus. Other tubes ("false exits") were also placed around the walls but these were blocked off. From the inside of the maze all false exits and the single true exit looked the same. Currently a dodecagonal (12-sided) maze is in use in Oxford, with 12 true/false exits set in the corners. In a recent development a transparent paddling Y-maze has been tested successfully.

Shallow Water Paddling Variants of Water Maze Tests in Mice

Mice can swim, but many strains appear to find this activity stressful. To overcome this problem mazes have been devised where escape from shallow water is used to motivate behaviour. These have been demonstrated to support learning at least as good as the traditional and widely used Morris water maze.

Acque poco profonde (Paddling) Varianti di test labirinto d&#39;acqua nei topi

When Richard Morris devised his water maze in 19817, most behavioral work was done in rats. However, the greater understanding of mouse genetics led to ...

Ricerca

Comportamento

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

We present an operant system for the detection of pain in awake, conscious rodents. The Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) assesses pain behaviors in a more clinically relevant way by not relying on reflex-based measures of nociception. Food fasted, hairless (or shaved) rodents are placed into a Plexiglas chamber which has two Peltier-based thermodes that can be programmed to any temperature between 7 &deg;C and 60 &deg;C. The rodent is trained to make contact with these in order to access a reward bottle. During a session, a number of behavioral pain outcomes are automatically recorded and saved. These measures include the number of reward bottle activations (licks) and facial contact stimuli (face contacts), but custom measures like the lick/face ratio (total number of licks per session/total number of contacts) can also be created. The stimulus temperature can be set to a single temperature or multiple temperatures within a session. The OPAD is a high-throughput, easy to use operant assay which will lead to better translation of pain research in the future as it includes cortical input instead of relying on spinal reflex-based nociceptive assays.

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device OPAD to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

We present a user-friendly, high-throughput operant system for the evaluation of pain behaviors in awake, conscious rodents. The Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) can assess pain through a reward/conflict paradigm thus providing a more humane way of testing. This protocol will yield more clinically relevant and translational data from rodents.

L&#39;utilizzo del dispositivo di valutazione del dolore orofacciale operante (opad) per misurare i cambiamenti nel comportamento nocicettivo

We present an operant  system for the detection of pain in awake, conscious rodents. The Orofacial  Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) assesses pain behaviors ...

Use of an Eight-arm Radial Water Maze to Assess Working and Reference Memory Following Neonatal Brain Injury

Working and reference memory are commonly assessed using the land based radial arm maze.&#160;However, this paradigm requires pretraining, food deprivation, and may introduce scent cue confounds. The eight-arm radial water maze is designed to evaluate reference and working memory performance simultaneously by requiring subjects to use extra-maze cues to locate escape platforms and remedies the limitations observed in land based radial arm maze designs. Specifically, subjects are required to avoid the arms previously used for escape during each testing day (working memory) as well as avoid the fixed arms, which never contain escape platforms (reference memory). Re-entries into arms that have already been used for escape during a testing session (and thus the escape platform has been removed) and re-entries into reference memory arms are indicative of working memory deficits. Alternatively, first entries into reference memory arms are indicative of reference memory deficits. We used this maze to compare performance of rats with neonatal brain injury and sham controls following induction of hypoxia-ischemia and show significant deficits in both working and reference memory after eleven days of testing. This protocol could be easily modified to examine many other models of learning impairment.

The eight-arm radial water maze is designed to evaluate reference and working memory performance simultaneously by requiring subjects to use extra-maze cues to locate escape platforms and remedies the limitations observed in land based radial arm maze designs.

Working and reference memory are commonly assessed using the land based radial arm maze.&#160;However, this paradigm requires pretraining, food ...

Behavioral and Locomotor Measurements Using an Open Field Activity Monitoring System for Skeletal Muscle Diseases

The open field activity monitoring system comprehensively assesses locomotor and behavioral activity levels of mice. It is a useful tool for assessing locomotive impairment in animal models of neuromuscular disease and efficacy of therapeutic drugs that may improve locomotion and/or muscle function. The open field activity measurement provides a different measure than muscle strength, which is commonly assessed by grip strength measurements. It can also show how drugs may affect other body systems as well when used with additional outcome measures. In addition, measures such as total distance traveled mirror the 6 min walk test, a clinical trial outcome measure. However, open field activity monitoring is also associated with significant challenges: Open field activity measurements vary according to animal strain, age, sex, and circadian rhythm. In addition, room temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, and even odor can affect assessment outcomes. Overall, this manuscript provides a well-tested and standardized open field activity SOP for preclinical trials in animal models of neuromuscular diseases. We provide a discussion of important considerations, typical results, data analysis, and detail the strengths and weaknesses of open field testing. In addition, we provide recommendations for optimal study design when using open field activity in a preclinical trial.

Open field activity levels are used to assess locomotive and behavioral activity levels. This protocol provides a well-designed, standardized protocol to use in preclinical trials for neuromuscular disorders.

Misure comportamentali e locomotore Utilizzo di un campo aperto Sistema di Monitoraggio Attività per le Malattie muscolo scheletrico

The open field activity monitoring system comprehensively assesses locomotor and behavioral activity levels of mice. It is a useful tool for assessing ...

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.

Posizionare e risposta apprendimento nel campo aperto 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 ...

Basic Methods for the Study of Reproductive Ecology of Fish in Aquaria

Captive-rearing observations are valuable for revealing aspects of fish behavior and ecology when continuous field investigations are impossible. Here, a series of basic techniques are described to enable observations of the reproductive behavior of a wild-caught gobiid fish, as a model, kept in an aquarium. The method focuses on three steps: collection, transport, and observations of reproductive ecology of a substrate spawner. Essential aspects of live fish collection and transport are (1) preventing injury to the fish, and (2) careful acclimation to the aquarium. Preventing harm through injuries such as scratches or a sudden change of water pressure is imperative when collecting live fish, as any physical damage is likely to negatively affect the survival and later behavior of the fish. Careful acclimation to aquaria decreases the incidence death and mitigates the shock of transport. Observations during captive rearing include (1) the identification of individual fish and (2) monitoring spawned eggs without negative effects to the fish or eggs, thereby enabling detailed investigation of the study species' reproductive ecology. The subcutaneous injection of a visible implant elastomer (VIE) tag is a precise method for the subsequent identification of individual fish, and it can be used with a wide size range of fish, with minimal influence on their survival and behavior. If the study species is a substrate spawner that deposits adhesive eggs, an artificial nest site constructed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe with the addition of a removable waterproof sheet will facilitate counting and monitoring the eggs, lessening the investigator's influence on the nest-holding and egg-guarding behavior of the fish. Although this basic method entails techniques that are seldom mentioned in detail in research articles, they are fundamental for undertaking experiments that require the captive rearing of a wild fish.

A series of basic methods to enable the study of the reproductive ecology of fish kept in aquaria are described. These are useful protocols for collecting fish using SCUBA, transporting live fish, and observing the reproductive behavior of wild-caught fish kept in aquaria.

Metodi di base per lo studio dell&#39;ecologia riproduttiva dei pesci in Aquaria

Captive-rearing observations are valuable for revealing aspects of fish behavior and ecology when continuous field investigations are impossible. Here, a ...

Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention

Two dominant theories on lateralized processing of emotional information exist in the literature. One theory posits that unpleasant emotions are processed by right frontal regions, while pleasant emotions are processed by left frontal regions. The other theory posits that the right hemisphere is more specialized for the processing of emotional information overall, particularly in posterior regions.
Assessing the different roles of the cerebral hemispheres in processing emotional information can be difficult without the use of neuroimaging methodologies, which are not accessible or affordable to all scientists. Divided visual field presentation of stimuli can allow for the investigation of lateralized processing of information without the use of neuroimaging technology. 
This study compared central versus divided visual field presentations of emotional images to assess differences in motivated attention between the two hemispheres. The late positive potential (LPP) was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) methodologies to assess motivated attention. Future work will pair this paradigm with a more active behavioral task to explore the behavioral impacts on the attentional differences found.

This study compared central versus divided visual field presentations of emotional images to assess differences in motivated attention between the two hemispheres. The late positive potential (LPP) was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) methodologies to assess motivated attention.

Campo visivo centrale e diviso presentazione di immagini emozionanti di misurare differenze emisferiche in attenzione motivato

Two dominant theories on lateralized processing of emotional information exist in the literature. One theory posits that unpleasant emotions are processed ...

Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test

The elevated plus maze test is a behavioral test for assessing animal anxiety in rodents. Although this test is widely applied in the field of behavioral science, conflicting outcomes are often provided from different laboratories. To identify reasons for the different outcomes, we previously focused on arm features, which differ between laboratories, most notably the presence/absence of ledges at the sides of open arms and the transparency/opaqueness of closed arm walls. In a previous report, we used a custom designed container to compare rat behavior on different combinations of open and closed arm designs under otherwise identical experimental conditions, and showed that differences in arm features interfere with experimental outcomes. In brief, open arm ledges significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in rats, while transparent arms may also have decreased this behavior. Furthermore, we verified a higher detection sensitivity of the effect of an anxiolytic drug in a combination of no-ledged open arm + opaque walled closed arm compared with a combination of ledged open arm + transparent walled closed arm. In this report, we introduce our protocol for the elevated plus maze test, together with discussion of the key results from the previous report and our experimental experience. We believe this report will provide useful information for researchers who have employed or who plan to use the elevated plus maze in their studies.

Rats' anxiety-like behavior tested by the elevated plus maze varies highly depending on the testing environment. Here we show how apparatus settings, especially arm structure, affect behavior on the maze, and we explain a reliable protocol to detect effects of anxiolytic drugs. This report will contribute to anxiety research.

Sperimentazione animale ansia in ratti: effetti di sporgenze braccio aperto e chiuso braccio parete trasparenza in Elevated Plus Maze Test

The elevated plus maze test is a behavioral test for assessing animal anxiety in rodents. Although this test is widely applied in the field of behavioral ...

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.

Analisi apprendimento spaziale e comportamento prosociale nei topi utilizzando il labirinto di Barnes e paradigmi Damsel in Distress

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 Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice

Depression is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, only partially addressed by current pharmacotherapies. The lack of response to treatment by many patients prompts the need to develop new therapeutic alternatives and to better understand the etiology of the disorder. Pre-clinical models with translational merits are rudimentary for this task. Here we present a protocol for the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) method in mice. In this protocol, adolescent mice are chronically exposed to interchanging unpredictable mild stressors. Resembling the pathogenesis of depression in humans, stress exposure during the sensitive period of mice adolescence instigates a depressive-like phenotype evident in adulthood. UCMS can be used for screenings of antidepressants on the variety of depressive-like behaviors and neuromolecular indices. Among the more prominent tests to assess depressive-like behavior in rodents is the sucrose preference test (SPT), which reflects anhedonia (core symptom of depression). The SPT will also be presented in this protocol. The ability of UCMS to induce anhedonia, instigate long-term behavioral deficits and enable reversal of these deficits via chronic (but not acute) treatment with antidepressants strengthens the protocol&#39;s validity compared to other animal protocols for inducing depressive-like behaviors.

Here we present the unpredictable chronic mild stress protocol in mice. This protocol induces a long-term depressive-like phenotype and enables to assess the efficacy of putative antidepressants in reversing the behavioral and neuromolecular depressive-like deficits.

Il protocollo di sforzo delicato cronico imprevedibile per indurre anedonia in topi

Depression is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, only partially addressed by current pharmacotherapies. The lack of response to treatment by ...