How behavioral core facilities advance research
Behavioral cores benefit universities as well as science in general. Recent cases show improved reproducibility of tests and protocols to assess a more complex phenotype of model animals.
Studying spatial learning and memory with Cincinnati Water Maze
Studying spatial learning and memory is important to develop treatment for Alzheimer's and other diseases influencing on orientation and navigation. One way to study it is with Cincinnati Water Maze.
The relationship between social hierarchy and social stress
Today, Deepika Patel kindly shares her research on social structures with us. She investigated rat behavior in detail, using several test paradigms.
Taking opioids during pregnancy: short- and long-term consequences in rats
Women worldwide are suffering from opioid addiction. Many receive so-called opioid-maintenance therapy using buprenorphine, but consequences for both mother and baby are largely unknown.
Assessing motor outcome in rats with peripheral nerve injury
At LBI Trauma, CatWalk XT is one of the most important tools to evaluate functional recovery in different animal models. Read more about what they found to be key factors when studying motor performance in rats with femoral nerve injury.
Decreased learning abilities in diabetic rats: Silymarin to the rescue
Silymarin is a substance that works as an antioxidant, is anti-inflammatory and increases BDNF levels. After supplementing silymarin to diabetic rats, typical diabetes symptoms were greatly improved.
Depressed with a failing reward system: social stress disrupts brain waves
Chronic social stress has a huge impact on well-being. Gamma oscillations have been found to be an electrophysiological link between social stress and reward processing.
Examples of Animal Behavior Research
Researchers in ethology are interested in understanding all aspects of animal behavior. We have highlighted some great examples of Animal Behavior Research on our Behavioral Research Blog.
How to best assess pain-related behaviors in preclinical studies
Most humans can tell you they’re in pain. However, assessing pain sensitivity in rodents during preclinical studies is a challenge.
Diazepam in the battle against Alzheimer’s
Scientists have found out that a low dose of the tranquilizer diazepam reduces the breakdown of neurons, seen in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.