A new method for the assessment of spatial orientation and spatial anxiety in mice

Brain Res Brain Res Protoc. 2004 Aug;13(3):159-65. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresprot.2004.04.003.

Abstract

The implication of integrated functional sensory relations of the body to space in anxiety disorders is a very important issue which encourages the development of animal models, in particular, for pharmacological perspectives and for the functional assessment of the deficits induced by genetic manipulation in the mouse or the rat. A new experimental device is presented here: It is comprised of a rotating tunnel and a rotating-beam controlled by computer which can be used for multiple visuo-idiothetic and kinesthetic sensory conflict situations during active locomotor behaviour by mice. The system is linked to a digital video system, Video-Track trade mark, designed to track and record the movements of the animals. Anxious BALB/cByJ mice were compared to non-anxious C57BL/6J mice and were seen to display highly disturbed locomotor behaviour in a sensory conflict situation. The model highlights the advantages of video-digital analysis for animal behavioural sciences.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / genetics
  • Anxiety Disorders / physiopathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Kinesthesis / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Motor Activity / genetics
  • Neuropsychology
  • Orientation / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Sensation Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sensation Disorders / genetics
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Videotape Recording / instrumentation
  • Videotape Recording / methods