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Anxiogenic stimuli in the elevated plus-maze

D Treit1, J Menard, C Royan

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|February 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
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Rats do not habituate to or overcome fear of the elevated plus-maze

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Rats typically avoid open arms in the elevated plus-maze, a behavior often attributed to novelty, height, or open space.
  • The anxiogenic role of these stimuli in the plus-maze has not been systematically examined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate the anxiogenic role of stimuli in the elevated plus-maze.
  • To examine habituation, flooding, and the effects of diazepam on open-arm avoidance.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were exposed to repeated trials in the elevated plus-maze to test for habituation.
  • Flooding (confinement to open arms) and diazepam treatment were used to assess their effects on avoidance.
  • Maze height and visual cues were manipulated to examine the role of height and space.

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Main Results:

  • Open-arm avoidance increased with repeated exposure and did not habituate.
  • Flooding increased open-arm avoidance compared to controls.
  • Diazepam reduced avoidance initially but had no lasting effect, and maze height/cues did not alter avoidance.

Conclusions:

  • Novelty, height, or open space are unlikely to be the sole anxiogenic factors in the elevated plus-maze.
  • Habituation and flooding are ineffective in reducing open-arm avoidance in rats.
  • The anxiogenic properties of the elevated plus-maze may be inherent to the apparatus itself.