Cited by 3,035Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMemory and Neural Mechanisms

The use of the elevated plus maze as an assay of anxiety-related behavior in rodents

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Walf, Alicia A, Frye, Cheryl A·2007·Nature Protocols

Abstract

The elevated plus maze is a widely used behavioral assay for rodents and it has been validated to assess the anti-anxiety effects of pharmacological agents and steroid hormones, and to define brain regions and mechanisms underlying anxiety-related behavior. Briefly, rats or mice are placed at the junction of the four arms of the maze, facing an open arm, and entries/duration in each arm are recorded by a video-tracking system and observer simultaneously for 5 min. Other ethological parameters (i.e., rears, head dips and stretched-attend postures) can also be observed. An increase in open arm activity (duration and/or entries) reflects anti-anxiety behavior. In our laboratory, rats or mice are exposed to the plus maze on one occasion; thus, results can be obtained in 5 min per rodent.

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Authors
Walf, A. A., & Frye, C. A.
Affiliations
University at Albany, State University of New York (US)
Corresponding author
  • Walf, Alicia A
  • Frye, Cheryl A
Venue
Nature Protocols
Published
2007-02
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
322-328
ISSN
  • 1750-2799 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-2189
OpenAlex
W1964160578
Cited by
3,035
References
79
Citations by year
2026: 243 · 2025: 273 · 2024: 282 · 2023: 250 · 2022: 268 · 2021: 278 · 2020: 233 · 2019: 208 · 2018: 171 · 2017: 150 · 2016: 142 · 2015: 128 · 2014: 96 · 2013: 87 · 2012: 70
FWCI
11.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Protocols (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (0316083)
  • U.S. Department of Defense (BC051001)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH06769801, R01MH067698)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
elevated plus maze, anxiety-like behavior, anxiolytic effects, anxiolytics, steroid hormones, video tracking, rats, mice
MeSH terms
Animals, Anxiety, Data Collection, Exploratory Behavior, Observation, Mice, Rats

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