Biomaterial Database

An animal model for measuring behavioral responses to anxiogenic and anxiolytic manipulations. 1994

J C Stout, and J M Weiss

Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.

A method for measuring behavioral responses of rats to both anxiolytic and anxiogenic manipulations, the open field drink test (OFDT), is described. This method utilizes the concept that in the open field, appetitive behavior is reduced because of the ambient level of fear experienced in such an environment. For the OFDT, rats were given restricted access to water for 1 h per day for 3 days, and then their behavior was assessed in an open field that contained a water spout at its center. Use of the open field permitted a number of measures to be taken; of these, "time spent drinking" was most sensitive in detecting differences. Three experiments showed that the OFDT: a) permitted dissociation between behavioral responses to an anxiolytic (diazepam) and an anxiogenic (FG7142) drug, b) detected a dose-response relationship for an anxiolytic drug (diazepam), and c) detected behavioral responses to environmental manipulations designed to increase fear (presence of an olfactory cue from rats that had received foot shock). Advantages of this test over previously described methods are outlined, and several guidelines are provided to aid investigators in using this behavioral test.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008960	Models, Psychological	Theoretical representations that simulate psychological processes and/or social processes. These include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Model, Mental,Model, Psychological,Models, Mental,Models, Psychologic,Psychological Models,Mental Model,Mental Models,Model, Psychologic,Psychologic Model,Psychologic Models,Psychological Model
D002243	Carbolines	A group of pyrido-indole compounds. Included are any points of fusion of pyridine with the five-membered ring of indole and any derivatives of these compounds. These are similar to CARBAZOLES which are benzo-indoles.	Carboline,Pyrido(4,3-b)Indole,Beta-Carbolines,Pyrido(4,3-b)Indoles,Beta Carbolines
D003463	Cues	Signals for an action; that specific portion of a perceptual field or pattern of stimuli to which a subject has learned to respond.	Cue
D003975	Diazepam	A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID activity.	7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one,Apaurin,Diazemuls,Faustan,Relanium,Seduxen,Sibazon,Stesolid,Valium
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D004327	Drinking Behavior	Behaviors associated with the ingesting of water and other liquids; includes rhythmic patterns of drinking (time intervals - onset and duration), frequency and satiety.	Behavior, Drinking,Behaviors, Drinking,Drinking Behaviors
D004597	Electroshock	Induction of a stress reaction in experimental subjects by means of an electrical shock; applies to either convulsive or non-convulsive states.	Electroconvulsive Shock,Electroconvulsive Shocks,Electroshocks,Shock, Electroconvulsive,Shocks, Electroconvulsive
D004777	Environment	The external elements and conditions which surround, influence, and affect the life and development of an organism or population.	Environmental Impact,Environmental Impacts,Impact, Environmental,Impacts, Environmental,Environments
D006120	Grooming	An animal's cleaning and caring for the body surface. This includes preening, the cleaning and oiling of feathers with the bill or of hair with the tongue.	Preening,Groomings,Preenings