Influence of age on behavioural response in the light/dark paradigm. |
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Authors: | M Hasco?t M C Colombel M Bourin |
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Affiliation: | Faculty of Medicine and GIS Médicament, JE 2027 Neurobiologie de l'anxiété, Faculté de Médecine BP 53508, Nantes, France. |
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Abstract: | We have compared the performance of male Swiss mice at different ages (correlated with different body weight; 12-34 g) in the light/dark test of anxiety. Mice received saline only. The best age at which control values were optimum was that of 4 weeks old. Mice at this age spent 58% of the total test duration in the dark compartment. The oldest mice (i.e., 8 weeks old) exhibited an increase in total activity characterised by increase in movements in each compartment, together with an increase in the number of transitions. An age-related effect was found suggesting caution when interpreting the results of mice in the light/dark paradigm, the best period being that of 4 weeks. |
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