Source Paper
The Role of the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Pathway in Mood Modulation
Haim Einat, Peixiong Yuan, Todd D. Gould, Jianling Li, JianHua Du et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2003
Open Field Test
Objective: Measurement of locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in a large open field arena to assess the effects of ERK pathway inhibition on behavioral outcomes
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment1
Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified
Materials4
Software1
Not specified • Not specified
1 item available from ConductScience
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product links help support this free resource.
Protocol Steps
Drug administration
Administer SL327, U0126, lithium, or amphetamine to rats according to experimental group assignment
Note: Chronic lithium pretreatment was used in one group to prevent SL327-induced behavioral changes
View evidence from paper
“SL327, but not U0126, also increased locomotion time and distance traveled in a large open field. The behavioral changes in the open field were prevented with chronic lithium pretreatment.”
Open field testing
Place rats in a large open field arena and measure locomotor activity and exploratory behavior
Note: Testing measures locomotion time and distance traveled as primary outcome measures
View evidence from paper
“increased locomotion time and distance traveled in a large open field”