Open Field

The open field is used to measure locomotion, exploratory activity, stereotyped rotation, anxiety, or context memory.

Procedure

The rodent is placed in the center of the apparatus for a specified amount of time.  A video is recorded and analyzed using AnyMaze. The results can be used as evidence of hyperactiviy, hypoactivity, anxiety, explorative behaviors, and stereotyped rotation.

Measures

Primary Measure: Total distance traveled (m), speed (m/s), center time (s), center entries
Additional measures: Please see the AnyMaze website for a full list of available measures from the software analysis

References

(2015)Seibenhener & Wooten, Use of the Open Field Maze to Measure Locomotor and Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4354627
(2009) Gould et al., The Open Field Test: https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-60761-303-9_1

Available Apparatuses
  • In House Boxes (non-portable):
    • Rat use(left) : Two 80 (w) x 80 (d) x 40 (h) cm grey acrylic boxes made by Psychology Engineering
    • Mouse use (right): Wall inserts to create Eight 40 (w) x 40 (d) x 40 (h) open fields

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  • Open Field Modifications: 
    • Left: Boxes can be made into 4 elongated fields (40 x 80cm)
    • Right: Boxes can be made into 8 smaller fields (30 x 30cm)
    • Additionally, we have white and black floor inserts to maximize contrast with your animal color

    

 

Off-site Use

We have one 60 (w) x 60 (d) cm portable box with removable inserts that can be transported for off-site use

 

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