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Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Hyponeophagia: A Measure of Anxiety in the Mouse
Published on: May 17, 2011
[The behavior of mice selected for cognitive trait in hyponeophagia test]
Abstract:
Hungry mice from strain which is under selection for high scores of capacity for extrapolation the direction of stimulus movement (line EX) the hyponeophagia level (reaction to new food in novel environment) was significantly lower than in mice of control unselected population (CoEX). This signify their lower anxiety as well as higher neophilia (which in turn is connected to cognitive abilities). These mice displayed more:approaches to food, they ate food for longer time intervals and their consumed more food. At the same time these mice revealed higher anxiety indices in the EPM test controls. The data made it possible to suggest that anxiety states which develop in different situations are non-uniform, and this view finds the confirmation in the literature.

