Category
Complex Behaviors
Animal Models of Executive Function
July 5, 2021
The brain acts as a “black box” where sensory inputs are processed and transformed into action to survive and succeed. As the organism becomes more complex,…
Modeling Intelligence in Rodents
July 2, 2021
Nicola Tesla, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Stephan Hawking are names associated with high intelligence. People want to understand this fascinating trait…
Modeling Chronic Stress
June 14, 2021
In order to survive, our bodies need to constantly adapt to environmental challenges. This process of regulation is called homeostasis[1] and describes…
Rodent Models of Empathy Disorders
May 31, 2021
Empathy is the capability to not only recognize and understand another individual’s emotional state and experience, but to also share these feelings and…
Overview: Learning and Memory Assays
March 4, 2021
Learning plays a fundamental role in an organism’s adaptability to its environment, which, in turn, is crucial for its survival. Learning is an adaptive…
Overview: Anxiety and Depression Assays
March 2, 2021
Anxiety is characterized by prolonged apprehensive feelings to a threat that may not necessarily exist or be considered a threat. Classification of anxiety…
Social Behavior & the Brain
December 2, 2019
Introduction The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said that “man is by nature a social animal”. While social behaviors are ubiquitous in the animal kingdom,…
Testing Olfactory Behavior in Mice
October 18, 2019
Olfaction, more commonly known as a sense of smell, is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and central to the life of many creatures. Mice for example rely on…
A Rodent Model for Human Adolescence
July 4, 2019
Introduction Adolescence is for all of us, a very important and defining period of our lives. It is overall defined as the transitional period in which the…
How to model intermittent fasting in rodents
May 11, 2019
Intermittent fasting is an umbrella term for dietary plans that are characterized by time-restricted eating. Nowadays, it has become a highly popular weight…
Activity Testing in Mice with Behavioral Test Batteries
April 24, 2019
Introduction: Why Use Test Batteries? Behavioral testing with mouse models forms a key part of scientific research in various fields. It is standard practice…
How to Minimise Anxiety in Mouse Handling
November 20, 2018
Introduction Mice have proven central to scientific research over the past century, serving as one of the most trusted and ubiquitous animal models for the…
Stress & Anxiety Testing in Mice
October 22, 2018
Introduction Stress and anxiety are unfortunate but wholly familiar aspects of every human life. It is likely that these negative emotional experiences were…
Effects of Reduced Vascular Flow on Mouse Behavior
October 10, 2018
Introduction Cerebrovascular disease, where blood flow to all or part of the brain is reduced to dangerous levels, is a serious and highly prevalent disorder.…
Motor Testing in Mouse Models
July 3, 2018
One of the distinguishing characteristics of living organisms is their capacity to move under their own power, i.e. to carry out motor behaviors. In a certain…
Social Interaction Tests in Mouse Models
April 18, 2018
Human beings, and many other species exhibit a rich panoply of social behaviors. Social interactions common to a huge variety of different species include…
Modeling Impulsive Behavior In Mice
October 24, 2017
A hallmark of our species is the ability to make decisions based on reason and logical thinking. Hundreds of choices bombard us every day, and without the…
Social Hierarchy in Animals: Dominance Tests in Mice
September 4, 2017
Dominance hierarchies are a common feature of animal societies. Some individuals will behave more dominantly toward others, and these interactions result in a…
Sleep Models: Sleep Deprivation in Rodents
July 8, 2017
If everyone slept a full eight hours every night, it is estimated that we would each spend about one third of our lives sleeping. Given that incredible time…
Animal Models of Anxiety: A Beginner's Guide
January 3, 2017
We routinely count on animal models to understand complex human emotions and experiences, many of which cannot reasonably be expected to fully recapitulate in…
Spatial Learning: A Beginner's Guide
December 12, 2016
Content Allocentric vs. Egocentric Navigation Navigation within the Brain Principles of Navigational Assessment Assessment Methods Radial Arm Maze and Morris…
Using Zero Mazes to Scare Away Anxiety
June 3, 2015
Zero Maze Test Since we’re talking about running tests on mice the method of choice used in these studies is, you guessed it, mazes. The study we’ll be…
Spontaneous alternation for Y Mazes and T Mazes
June 9, 2014
Welcome back to the MazeEngineer Blog. Last week we began our trip down memory lane by discussing how reference memory and working menory can be assessed with…
Startle Response: Acoustic Startle Reflex Response 101
May 15, 2014
Today’s topic is the acoustic startle reflex response (in mice/rats). Many of you may be familiar with this term, but may not really know what it is or why it…
Domains of Behavioral Tests
January 3, 2014
Hey Folks! We often hear from scientists and researchers to be that they have a hard time differentiating the many types of behavioral tests! We made this…
