ANXIETY

  • Anxiety can generally be defined as a response to a threat that causes nervousness and fear. In extreme cases, anxiety can have impacts on daily life and can be characterized by different symptoms for example panic attacks.


    Spontaneous paradigm

    The exploitation of the spontaneous paradigm is based on the natural preference and/or aversion of mice.
    For example, the light/dark paradigm is based on a conflict between the innate aversion to brightly illuminated areas and the spontaneous exploratory activity.

  • Compound testing


    Anxiolytic drugs are usually tested in this model but other treatments could also be considered. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the feasibility of your study.
  • Endpoints


    Entries/time spent in the open arms in the Elevated Plus Maze
    Time spent in the lit box in the Light/Dark test
    Number of marble buried in the Marble Burying test

The elevated plus maze (EPM) test is used to evaluate the relative anxiety status of mice or rats.
The EPM situation rests on the conflict between the innate tendencies of rodents to explore novel environments and avoid open and brightly lit areas.
  • MICE : 1 mg/kg diazepam induces a significant increase in the time spent in the open arms.

  • RATS : 1 mg/kg diazepam induces a significant increase in the time spent in the open arms.


The light dark (LD) test is used to evaluate the relative anxiety status of mice.
The light dark paradigm in mice is based on a conflict between the innate aversion to brightly illuminated areas and the spontaneous exploratory activity. If given a choice between a large brightly compartment versus a small dark compartment, mice spontaneously prefer the dark.
  • Dose-response curve of diazepam-treated mice
    in the Light-Dark test.
  • Diazepam produces a dose-dependent reduction of time spent in the lit box, suggesting an anxiolytic effect.

    Diazepam ≥ 2 mg/kg is associated with reduced locomotion in the OF
    which suggests a sedative effect at doses higher than 2 mg/kg.

The Marble Burying test is used to record the number of marbles buried by mice placed in a novel environment.
This test has some predictive value for anti-depressant and/or anxiolytic drugs.

  • 1 mg/kg diazepam significantly reduces the number of buried marbles in mice.

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    The EPM test is used to evaluate the relative anxiety status of mice or rats.


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    PANIC ANXIETY : the EPM test is used to evaluate the relative anxiety status of mice or rats.

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    Marble Burying

    The MB test is used to record the number of marbles buried by mice placed in a novel environment.


    Light-Dark

    The LD test is used to evaluate the relative anxiety status of mice.