Source Paper
Serotonin receptor 1A knockout: An animal model of anxiety-related disorder
Sylvie Ramboz, Ronald Oosting, Djamel Aït Amara, Hank F. Kung, Pierre Blier et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • 1998
Open Field Test
Objective: Assessment of exploratory activity and fear response in open or elevated spaces
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Protocol Steps
Place animal in open field or elevated space
Introduce the mouse to the open field or elevated space apparatus to assess exploratory behavior and fear response
Note: The test measures both exploratory activity (decreased in knockout mice) and fear-related behaviors (increased in knockout mice)
View evidence from paper
“mice without 5-HT1A receptors display decreased exploratory activity and increased fear of aversive environments (open or elevated spaces)”
Observe and record behavioral responses
Monitor and record exploratory activity and fear-related behaviors during exposure to open or elevated spaces
Note: Heterozygote 5-HT1A mutants displayed intermediate phenotypes in behavioral tests
View evidence from paper
“Heterozygote 5-HT1A mutants expressed approximately one-half of wild-type receptor density and displayed intermediate phenotypes in most behavioral tests”