Elevated Zero-maze: A paradigm to evaluate anti-anxiety effects of drugs

Abstract

Elevated zero maze is a modification of the elevated plus maze model of anxiety in rodents. The novel design comprises an elevated annular platform with two opposite, enclosed quadrants and two open quadrants, removing any ambiguity in the interpretation of the time spent in the central square of the traditional design and allowing uninterrupted exploration. In the present study, we validated elevated zero maze as a tool to study antianxiety activity, using various standard anxiolytics belonging to different pharmacological groups, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol etc., and compared the results with elevated plus maze. Bidirectional sensitivity of the model was also assessed using picrotoxin, pentylenetetrazol and flumazenil, the modulators of GABA(A) and benzodiazepine modulators. Animals were administered different standard antianxiety and anxiogenic drugs, and were allowed to explore the elevated zero maze (time spent in open arm, latency to enter in open arm, total number of entries in open arm and number of stretch attend postures [SAPs]) and elevated plus maze (time spent in open arm, latency to enter in open arm, total number of entries in open arm, first preference of the animal [open/closed] and number of stretchings). Selected drugs and doses were then assessed on the mirror chamber paradigm. Results of the present study indicated that elevated zero maze offered a better animal model to study antianxiety activity, when compared with elevated plus maze and mirror chamber.

Social isolation after stroke leads to depressive-like behavior and decreased BDNF levels in mice

“…Time spent in the open arms and number of entries into the open arms were recorded by an observer and a video camera. Anxiety-like behavior was determined by the percent of time spent in the open arms [39]. The EZM is a variant of the elevated plus maze.…”

“…The EZM is a variant of the elevated plus maze. However it eliminates the ambiguity of the open/closed area at the center of the elevated plus maze [39]. …”

Chronic alcohol exposure differentially affects activation of female locus coeruleus neurons and the subcellular distribution of corticotropin releasing factor receptors

“…All animals were exposed to an EZM for assessment of anxiety-like behaviors as previously described on day 12 of treatment (Carvalho et al 2010b; Ambrose-Lanci et al 2010). As a modified version of the elevated plus maze, the EZM is used extensively to examine anxiety like phenotypes in rodents (Braun et al 2011), particularly after a pharmacological intervention (Kulkarni et al 2007). Anxiolytics, including the benzodiazepine diazepam, increase the amount of time animals spend in the open arms of the maze, and the amount of time engaged in exploratory behaviors (Shepherd et al 1994).…”

Global Cerebral Ischemia: Synaptic and Cognitive Dysfunction

“…(4D). The zero maze has been repeatedly used to measure anxiety in rodents [223, 224] and may serve as a more evaluated alternative to the elevated plus maze. Another test of anxiety that measures anhedonia, a fundamental aspect of depression, is the preference for sugar water over regular water [225].…”