Models & Assays

The open field test is used to assess overall level of motor activity, anxiety-like behaviour and willingness to explore new areas by laboratory animals. While mice have a natural aversion to brightly lit and, open spaces, they also desire to explore new environments.

Mice are placed in the corner of an arena, and its exploratory behaviour is recorded for 5 minutes without any disturbances. Parameters including total distance traveled, frequency of entry into the central part of the arena, time spent in the central part of the arena, and time spent near walls are analyzed using ANY-maze tracking software. Longer time spent close to walls and lower frequency of entry into the centre of the arena, indicate a higher level of anxiety. Administration of substances with anti-anxiety effect, such as buspirone (0.3 mg/kg i.p.), leads to increased exploratory behaviour.