An automated method for studying exploratory and stereotyped behaviour in rats

Abstract

A technique is described for studying exploratory as well as stereotyped behaviour in rats using an automated hole-board. Both visual and automated recordings can be employed using the technique. Hole dipping is monitored automatically using an infra-red detector system. Repetitive patterns of hole-dipping are used as parameters of stereotyped behaviour while the more random patterns of hole-dipping are used as parameters of exploration. There was a high significant correlation between the records of hole-dipping behaviour as recorded visually and automatically. There was also a high significant correlation between the measures of repetitiveness/randomness of hole-dipping behaviour from automatic and visual recordings. The pattern and levels of hole-dipping conformed with expectations both as regards changes with time and with increasing doses of dl-amphetamine.

Differential Brain, Cognitive and Motor Profiles Associated with Partial Trisomy. Modeling Down Syndrome in Mice

“…This is reported as the "number of head dipping in the hole-board". The digital meter indicated the number of exploratory dips and we counted the number of stereotyped dips for each mouse according to previously published criteria (Irie et al 2012 ;Makanjuola et al 1977 ).…”

Development of a mouse test for repetitive, restricted behaviors: Relevance to autism

“…This high level of interest was especially evident in one NR1 neo/neo male, suggesting that the hole-board task can be used to identify individual mice characterized by unusual restricted interests (extreme interest in one olfactory stimulus, especially a stimulus non-preferred by control mice), as well as repetitive behavior. In the past, exploration on the hole-board task has been described as the random dispersion of head dipping across holes, while repeated responses into one hole were a sign of stereotypy [39,40]. The results from the inbred strains and the NR1 +/+ and NR1 neo/neo mice suggest that the environmental context, including location, type of olfactory stimuli, and previous experience, should be considered in the interpretation of repeated responses to one or more holes.…”

Dissociation of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Toxicology of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) by Citalopram

“…As shown in Table 5, citalopram significantly modified some, but not all, parameters of behavioral function that were influenced by MDMA. We will first consider results from the hole-board test, which is typically used as an index of exploratory behavior (Makanjuola et al, 1977), particularly with respect to entries into holes not previously sampled. Behavior in the hole-board test was reported previously to be altered by several compounds acting on the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems (Makanjuola et al, 1977;Sara et al, 1995).…”

“…We will first consider results from the hole-board test, which is typically used as an index of exploratory behavior (Makanjuola et al, 1977), particularly with respect to entries into holes not previously sampled. Behavior in the hole-board test was reported previously to be altered by several compounds acting on the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems (Makanjuola et al, 1977;Sara et al, 1995). Serotonin has also been implicated in exploratory behavior, as shown by reduced head dipping behavior in rats treated chronically with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor clomipramine (García-Marquez et al, 1987) as well as impaired habituation of this response in animals given prior administration of the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-DHT (Mogensen et al, 2003).…”