Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test
Published on: June 29, 2018
Static magnetic field blocked alprazolam-induced behavior of Wistar rats in the elevated plus-maze test
Raquel Cardoso Brito1, Thairyne Olivato1, Takae Tamy Kitabatake1
1Laboratory of Neuropsychobiology and Motor Behavior, Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), AV. dos Bandeirantes, 3900 Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
Studies have shown that psychotropic drugs change rat behavior in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). This study investigated whether static magnetic fields could alter alprazolam-induced rat behavior in the EPM. 66 male Wistar rats (270-300 g weight) were assigned to one of the following groups: Sham Magnetic + Saline (SMS), North Pole + Saline (NPS), South Pole + Saline (SPS), Sham magnetic + alprazolam (SMA), NP + alprazolam (NPA), and SP + alprazolam (SPA). After five days of static magnetic stimulation (3200 Gauss), they received alprazolam or saline (1 mg/kg), and their behavior was evaluated. Two-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak post-hock were used, with a significant P value of <0.05. The SMA and NPA groups showed an increased number of entries and time in the open arms compared with the SMS group. SPA showed a decrease in these measures when compared to SMA [F(2,61) = 6.43 and F(2,61) = 3.72, respectively]. The SMA and NPA groups showed increased head dipping and end-arm activity compared with the SMS group. SPA showed a decrease in these measures when compared to SMA [F(2,61) = 3.37 and [F(2,61) = 4.72, respectively]. These results show that the south magnetic pole of a static magnetic field blocked the alprazolam effect in the space-time variables of the open arms and ethological anxiolytic-like behavior in the EPM.
Insights
Static magnetic fields, specifically the south pole, can block the anxiolytic effects of alprazolam in rats. This finding suggests magnetic fields may influence drug responses in behavioral tests like the elevated plus-maze.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Psychotropic drugs, such as alprazolam, are known to alter rat behavior in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM).
- Static magnetic fields (SMFs) have potential applications in modulating biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on alprazolam-induced behavioral changes in rats using the EPM.
- To determine if different poles of a static magnetic field have distinct effects on alprazolam's anxiolytic-like behavior.
Main Methods:
- 66 male Wistar rats were exposed to sham, north pole, or south pole static magnetic fields (3200 Gauss) for five days.
- Following stimulation, rats received either alprazolam (1 mg/kg) or saline.
- Behavioral analysis in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) was conducted, with statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak post-hoc tests.
Main Results:
- Alprazolam administration (SMA group) and north pole magnetic field stimulation plus alprazolam (NPA group) increased entries and time spent in open arms compared to saline controls (SMS group).
- South pole magnetic field stimulation plus alprazolam (SPA group) significantly decreased these measures compared to the SMA group.
- Ethological measures, including head dipping and end-arm activity, were also significantly altered by the magnetic field and alprazolam interactions.
Conclusions:
- The south pole of a static magnetic field effectively blocked the anxiolytic-like effects of alprazolam in the elevated plus-maze.
- Static magnetic fields, particularly the south pole, can modulate drug-induced behavioral responses, impacting space-time variables and ethological measures.
- These findings suggest a potential interaction between static magnetic fields and psychotropic drug efficacy.
