Open Field Anxiety Test
Objective: Assessment of anxiogenic behavior by measuring time spent in darkened compartment versus exploring the open field following CRF infusion into the locus coeruleus
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment3
Materials1
Not specified • Not applicable • Not specified • Not mentioned
2 items available from ConductScience
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Protocol Steps
CRF infusion into locus coeruleus
Bilateral infusion of corticotropin-releasing factor into the locus coeruleus at specified doses
Note: Doses ranged from 1-100 ng for anxiogenic testing; 100 ng used for motor activity testing; 10 ng used for swim test
View evidence from paper
“Infusion of CRF into the LC (100 ng) significantly increased nonambulatory spontaneous motor activity”
Open field anxiety assessment
Place animals in open field containing small darkened compartment and measure time spent in compartment versus exploring outside and inner squares
Note: Anxiogenic behavior indicated by increased time in darkened compartment and decreased exploration of open field
View evidence from paper
“Infusion or CRF into the LC (1–100 ng) significantly increased the time spent in the compartment and decreased the amount of time spent exploring the outside”
Measure behavioral outcomes
Quantify time spent in darkened compartment, time spent exploring outside compartment, and frequency of venturing into inner squares of open field
Note: All three measures serve as indices of anxiogenic behavior
View evidence from paper
“increased the time spent in the compartment and decreased the amount of time spent exploring the outside of the compartment or venturing into the inner squares”