Elevated Zero Maze
Objective: Assessment of anxiety-like behavior in mice using an elevated zero maze with open and closed sections
This is a Elevated Zero Maze protocol using mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 5 procedural steps, 3 equipment items. Extracted from a 2016 paper published in Nature.
Model and subjects
mouse • C57BL/6J • male • Adult (tested at least 6 weeks after treatment; treatment initiated at 2-4.5 months)
Study window
~5 minutes hands-on
Core workflow
Animal Habituation • Maze Introduction • Free Exploration
Primary readouts
- Percentage of time spent in the open arm (primary anxiety measure)
- Time spent in closed arm (inverse anxiety measure)
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Animal Habituation
Animals were habituated to low light conditions before the test
Note: Habituation lighting was 10-20 lux to match the dark arm lighting
View evidence from paper
“Animals were habituated with 10-20 lux for at least one hour before test.”
Maze Introduction
The animal was introduced into the closed arm of the elevated zero maze
Note: Starting position was the closed arm
View evidence from paper
“The animal was introduced into the closed arm and allowed to freely explore the maze for 5 minutes.”
Free Exploration
Animal was allowed to freely explore the maze while behavior was recorded
Note: Behavior was videotaped during this period
View evidence from paper
“The animal was introduced into the closed arm and allowed to freely explore the maze for 5 minutes, which was videotaped.”
Video Analysis
An observer blinded to genotype analyzed the videotaped behavior using automated tracking software
Note: Observer was blinded to genotype to prevent bias
View evidence from paper
“An observer blinded to the genotype performed analysis using an automated tracking software Noldus Ethovision.”
Data Quantification
Anxiety-like behavior was assessed by calculating the percentage of time spent in the open arm
Note: Primary outcome measure for anxiety assessment
View evidence from paper
“Anxiety-like behavior was assessed by the percentage of time spent by the animal in the open arm during the 5-min interval.”