Unlike other behavioral assays used to assess anxiety responses that rely upon the presentation of noxious stimuli (i.e., electric shock, food/water deprivation, loud noises, exposure to predator odor, etc.) that typically produce a conditioned response, the elevated plus maze relies upon rodents’ proclivity toward dark, enclosed spaces (approach) and an unconditioned fear of heights/open spaces (avoidance) 4. These authors described the assessment of anxiety behavior of rodents by using the ratio of time spent on the open arms to the time spent on the closed arms. This task was modified into an elevated maze with four arms (two open and two enclosed) that are arranged to form a plus shape and was described by Handley and Mithani 3. A task, using a Y-shaped apparatus that included an elevated open alley, which produced a strong approach–avoidance conflict, and an enclosed alley, which did not, was first described by Montgomery 2. The elevated plus maze has been described as a simple method for assessing anxiety responses of rodents by File and co-workers 1.
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