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Wheel access duration in rats: II. Day-night and within-session changes
Roelof Eikelboom1, Sara B Lattanzio
1Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. reikelbo@wlu.ca
Behavioral Neuroscience
|August 23, 2003
Summary
Wheel running in rats increased significantly when access occurred during the dark phase, but not the light phase. Longer access durations amplified running behavior, suggesting a potential addiction model.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Animal Models of Addiction
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Rodent models are crucial for understanding complex behaviors.
- Wheel running is a common measure of spontaneous physical activity in rodents.
- Previous research has explored factors influencing rodent activity patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of time of day and duration of wheel access on running behavior in rats.
- To explore the potential of wheel running as a model for addiction.
Main Methods:
- Young male rats were provided with controlled durations (2 hours) of wheel access during either the light or dark phase.
- Running activity was monitored over 24 days.
- Different durations of dark phase access (1 hour vs. 4 hours) were also tested.
Main Results:
- Running behavior increased fourfold in rats with dark phase access over 24 days.
- Rats with light phase access showed consistently low running levels.
- Longer (4-hour) dark phase access resulted in significantly greater running increases compared to shorter (1-hour) access.
Conclusions:
- Time of day critically influences the development of wheel running behavior in rats.
- Increased duration of access potentiates running behavior, mirroring aspects of addiction.
- Wheel running exhibits similarities to cocaine self-administration, supporting its use as an addiction model.