Assessing Exploratory Behavior in Rats

In order to control for the potentially confounding effects of hypo- or hyperactivity on the other behavioral assays, exploratory activity in a novel open arena was evaluated over a 30 min session. Rats were placed in the center of the arena at the start of the testing session. Using methods similar to those previously described^{48 (link),54 (link)}, total distance traveled and time spent in the center of the arena were measured using one of two comparable automated systems: an opaque matte black arena (54.1 cm l × 54.1 cm w × 34.3 cm h) equipped with video tracking software (EthoVision XT 12; Noldus Information Technology, Wageningen, Netherlands) or the fully automated Digiscan Animal Activity Monitors with Integra software (Omnitech Electronics, Columbus, OH, USA). The testing room was illuminated to ~30 lux.

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Berg E.L., Pedersen L.R., Pride M.C., Petkova S.P., Patten K.T., Valenzuela A.E., Wallis C., Bein K.J., Wexler A., Lein P.J, & Silverman J.L. (2020). Developmental exposure to near roadway pollution produces behavioral phenotypes relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders in juvenile rats. Translational Psychiatry, 10, 289.

Publication 2020

EthoVision XT 12 Digiscan Animal Activity Monitors

Animal Assays Rats

Corresponding Organization :

Other organizations : University of California, Davis, Quality Research

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Variable analysis

independent variables

Not explicitly mentioned

dependent variables

Total distance traveled
Time spent in the center of the arena

control variables

Illumination level in the testing room (~30 lux)
Use of an opaque matte black arena (54.1 cm l × 54.1 cm w × 34.3 cm h) equipped with video tracking software or the fully automated Digiscan Animal Activity Monitors with Integra software

positive controls

Not explicitly mentioned

negative controls

Not explicitly mentioned

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