Since the work of Garcia et al. [1], the conditioned place preference test has become a popular paradigm for the study of reward-related behavior in rodents.  This leaflet shows how accurate and reliable results can be obtained from the test, by use of automated tracking and analysis with EthoVision.

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application note - conditioned place preference test - banner.pdf	1.09 MB

A behavioral technique often used to evaluate the cognitive performance of animals or to investigate anxiolytic effects of drugs is the fear conditioning paradigm. Originally, this test was based on an observer manually recording the behavior of the test animal [1]. Currently, EthoVision® offers the opportunity to automatically record and analyze the activities and movements of a test animal participating in the fear conditioning test.

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application note - fear - banner.pdf	779.77 KB

Identification of genes underlying complex behavioral traits requires refinement of phenotyping methods [1, 2]. PhenoTyper® represents a video-based observation environment in which rodent behavior can be automatically monitored. PhenoTyper can be fitted up with a shelter, water bottle, feeder, and bedding to enable monitoring in a home cage environment. If connected to a computer that runs EthoVision® software, the activity and movement displayed by a rodent can be continuously measured, and analyzed afterwards with EthoVision.

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application note - home cage testing - banner.pdf	1.63 MB

Next to its ability to track small rodents such as mice and rats, EthoVision® is able to track swim patterns of fi sh as well. This is important since Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) and zebrafi sh (Danio rerio) are starting to become very popular laboratory animals.

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application note - medaka and zebrafish - banner .pdf	1.51 MB

The original holeboard test was introduced by Boissier and Simon in 1962 [1]. Today, this test is still used to investigate explorative behavior in rodents. In the last two decades several modified versions of the original holeboard have been developed, each adjusted to the aim of the research project.

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application note - modified holeboard - banner.pdf	1.01 MB

The open field is a standard paradigm for the study of locomotor activity, exploration, anxiety and habituation in rodents. The popularity of the test is partly derived from the apparent simplicity of the test environment, which consists of a square or circular platform with or without surrounding walls. The rodent placed in the open field is presented with a novel situation which is assumed to induce exploratory behavior. This leaflet shows how accurate and reliable results can be obtained from open fi eld tests, by use of automated tracking and analysis with EthoVision.

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application note - open field - banner.pdf	1.1 MB

Since its initial description by Handley and Mithani [1], the elevated plus maze has become a popular paradigm for the study of anxiety in rodents. The test apparatus consists of two open arms and two closed arms, with the four arms intersecting to form the shape of a plus sign; the whole apparatus is elevated from the floor. The combination of height and open space is assumed to induce anxiety-related behavior (i.e. avoidance of the open arms). This leaflet shows how accurate and reliable results can be obtained from the test, by use of automated tracking and analysis with EthoVision®.

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application note - plus - banner.pdf	1.21 MB

Noldus has developed a new feature in Etho- Vision®: Mobility detection. This parameter can be used to score the behavior of animals in the Porsolt Swim Test (PST) automatically. In ongoing research at Utrecht University, Saskia C. Berndsen and Laus M. Broersen tested this module and compared the results to data obtained by traditional hand scoring of the subjects from videotapes. In the experiment, the effects of chronic administration of either the tricyclic antidepressant Desipramine or its vehicle, Saline, on activity in the PST were evaluated.

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application note - porsolt - banner.pdf	1.33 MB