Source Paper
The use of the elevated plus maze as an assay of anxiety-related behavior in rodents
Nature Protocols • 2007
Elevated Plus Maze
Objective: Assess anxiety-related behavior in rodents by measuring entries and duration in open versus closed arms of an elevated plus maze, and recording ethological parameters
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Protocol Steps
Place rodent at maze junction
Place rat or mouse at the junction of the four arms of the elevated plus maze, with the animal facing an open arm
Note: Initial positioning is critical for standardization
View evidence from paper
“rats or mice are placed at the junction of the four arms of the maze, facing an open arm”
Record behavioral data
Record entries and duration in each arm using video-tracking system and observer simultaneously. Also observe and record ethological parameters including rears, head dips, and stretched-attend postures
Note: Both automated video tracking and manual observation are used concurrently
View evidence from paper
“entries/duration in each arm are recorded by a video-tracking system and observer simultaneously for 5 min. Other ethological parameters (i.e., rears, head dips and stretched-attend postures) can also be observed”