Source Paper
Age-related changes in behavior in C57BL/6J mice from young adulthood to middle age
Hirotaka Shoji, Keizo Takao, Satoko Hattori, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
Molecular Brain • 2016
Elevated Plus Maze
Objective: Measure anxiety-related behavior through exploration of open and closed arms in the elevated plus maze
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment1
Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified
Materials2
Software1
Not specified • Not specified
1 item available from ConductScience
Estimated: $1,890.00
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product links help support this free resource.
Protocol Steps
Animal housing and maintenance
Mice housed in plastic cages with sterilized PaperClean Bedding under 12-hour light/dark cycle with lights on at 7:00 am. Food and water provided ad libitum.
Note: Housing density varied: 1.3% with 1 animal, 2.3% with 2, 6.7% with 3, 80.1% with 4, 8.9% with 5, and 0.7% with 6 animals per cage at test battery start
View evidence from paper
“housed in plastic cages with sterilized PaperClean Bedding (Japan SLC) under a 12-hr light/dark cycle (lights on at 7:00 am) with access to food (CRF-1, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) and water ad libitum”
Test scheduling and timing
Elevated plus maze test performed as part of behavioral test battery. Behavioral testing conducted between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with at least 1 day interval between tests.
Note: Test order: general health/neurological screening, light/dark transition, open field, elevated plus maze, hot plate, social interaction, rotarod, startle response/prepulse inhibition, Porsolt forced swim, Barnes maze, contextual and cued fear conditioning, tail suspension tests
View evidence from paper
“Behavioral testing was performed between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The interval between tests was at least 1 day.”
Apparatus cleaning
After testing, all apparatus cleaned with super hypochlorous water and 70% ethanol to prevent bias due to olfactory cues.
Note: Cleaning performed between tests to eliminate olfactory cues
View evidence from paper
“After the tests, all apparatus were cleaned with super hypochlorous water and 70% ethanol to prevent a bias due to olfactory cues.”