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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Elevated Plus Maze for Mice
Published on: December 22, 2008
Altered anxiety-related behavior in nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor gene knockout mice
Elaine C Gavioli1, Anna Rizzi, Giuliano Marzola
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 19, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. ecg@unesc.net
Abstract:
Studies showed that nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP) agonists produce anxiolytic-like actions, while little is known about the effects of blockade of NOP receptor signaling in anxiety. To this aim, we investigated the behavioral phenotype of NOP receptor gene knockout mice (NOP(-/-)) in different assays. In the elevated plus-maze and light-dark box, NOP(-/-) mice displayed increased anxiety-related behavior. In the novelty-suppressed feeding behavior and elevated T-maze, NOP(-/-) mice showed anxiolytic-like phenotype, while no differences were found in the open-field, hole-board, marble-burying, and stress-induced hyperthermia. Altogether, these findings suggest that the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system modulates anxiety-related behavior in a complex manner.
