The staircase test in mice: A simple and efficient procedure for primary screening of anxiolytic agents

Simiand, Jacques; Keane, P.E.; Morre, Michel

doi:10.1007/bf00432023

Cited by 148 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The test was carried out essentially as described earlier (Cryan et al, 2003b;Simiand et al, 1984) and consists of placing an experimentally naïve mouse in an enclosed staircase with five steps made of gray plastic. Each step was 2.5 cm in height, 7.5 cm in length, and 11 cm in width.…”

Section: Staircase Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animals were moved to the testing room at least 1 h prior to testing. The test has been validated using different anxiolytics (Simiand et al, 1984;Pick et al, 1996;Weizman et al, 1999) and has been used to examine anxiety-related phenotypes in genetically modified animals (Cryan et al, 2003b;Salas et al, 2003). The number of steps climbed and the rearing behavior of the mice are recorded as measures of anxiety-related behavior.…”

Section: Staircase Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Genetic and Pharmacological Evidence of a Role for GABAB Receptors in the Modulation of Anxiety- and Antidepressant-Like Behavior

Mombereau

Kaupmann

Froestl

et al. 2004

Neuropsychopharmacol

312

181

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although there is much evidence for a role of the inhibitory neurotransmitter g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression, the role of GABA B receptors in behavioral processes related to these disorders has not yet been fully established. GABA B receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors, which act as functional heterodimers made up of GABA B(1) and GABA B(2) subunits. Using recently generated GABA B(1) À/À mice, which lack functional GABA B receptors, and pharmacological tools we assessed the role of GABA B receptors in anxiety-and antidepressant-related behaviors. In the light-dark box, GABA B(1) À/À mice were more anxious than their wild-type littermates (less time spent in the light; reduced number of transitions). GABA B(1) À/À mice were also more anxious in the staircase test. Conversely, acute and chronic treatment with GS39783, a novel GABA B receptor positive modulator, decreased anxiety in the light-dark box and elevated zero maze tests for anxiety. On the other hand, GABA B(1) À/À mice had decreased immobility (antidepressant-like behavior) in the forced swim test (FST). These behavioral effects are unrelated to alterations in locomotor activity. In confirmation of the genetic data, acute and chronic treatment with CGP56433A, a selective GABA B receptor antagonist, also decreased immobility in the FST, whereas GS39783 did not alter this behavior. Taken together, these data suggest that positive modulation of the GABA B receptor may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for the development of anxiolytics, whereas GABA B receptor antagonism may serve as a basis for the generation of novel antidepressants.

show abstract

Section: Staircase Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Staircase Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and Pharmacological Evidence of a Role for GABAB Receptors in the Modulation of Anxiety- and Antidepressant-Like Behavior

Mombereau

Kaupmann

Froestl

et al. 2004

Neuropsychopharmacol

312

181

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The atmospheric pressure fluctuations did not exceed 5 kPa, compared with the measurements made on the days preceding and following each test. All tests were carried out between 6 and 12 a. m. The locomotor activity of the mice of t oth strains was tested in a PVC box with a staircase composed of 5 identical steps (Simiand et al 1984). Each animal was placed singly on the floor of the box.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Different Sensitivity to Isoprenalin in Mice of Two Strains and Its Changes with Age

Dostál¹,

Gaja²,

Hlubinka³

et al. 1991

Acta Vet. Brno

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bmo, 60, 1991: 225-230.Parameters of locomotor activity of mice of two strains (conventional male [CBA x C57BL] 10 Fi mice and Conventional random breed male ICR mice) are reported together with their per cent mortality after administration of isoprenaIin (ISO) at 400 mg • kg-i, 700 mg . kg-i and 750 mg/kg body mass in mice aged 3 months and at 400 mg . kg-i body mass in animals aged 5 months. Age-dependent changes in body mass and myocardial mass were assessed. It is concluded that mice of the two strains differed in their sensitivity to ISO. The o:served higher resistance of (CBA x C57BL/I0) Fl mice to ISO toxicity can be related to their higher locomotor activity and lower I::ody mass. Isoprenalin, mice, myocardium, staircase testThe sensitivity to isoprenalin (ISO) is conditioned by a number of factors the quality of which varies from species to species (Venault et aI. 1986). Of particular importance is the cardiotoxic effect of ISO inducing myocardial lesions of coagulative myocytolysis (COAM) type with subsequent development of necroses (Milei et al. 1978) within a very short period of time. Therefore ISO is used mostfrequently in experiments designed to induce primary cardiomyopathy. In response to its application Ca++ and Na+ ions in the myocardium increase rapidly, the energy conditions are affected, etc. In addition to the direct effect on the myocardium the process involves the mechanism of release of free radicals and enhanced lipid peroxidation (Ohta et al. 1986).In conventional male (CBA x C57BL/I0) Fi mice no significant biochemical or morphological myocardial changes have been found after administration of ISO in doses of 10 to 100 mg. kg-I body mass which are used routinely in rats (Fleckenstein et aI. 1977;Faltova et al. 1983b). Mice of the ICR strain exhi ited in our previous experiment higher sensitivity to ISO. One of the factors underlying this different resistance of conventional male (CBA x C57BL/1O) Fl mice might be their different locomotor activity. The present study was therefore designed to compare the effects of ISO on conventional male (CBA x C57BL/I0) Fl mice together with their locomotor activity with the corresponding data obtained for ICR mice. Materials and MethodsThe experimental animals were 60 conventional male (CBA x C57BL/I0) Fl mice (breeding colony of Institute of Biophysics, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Bmo) aged 3 months and having 33.3 ± 1.8 g in body mass and 50 conventional random breed male ICR mice (breeding colony of VELAZ, Prague, Czechoslovakia) aged 3 months and having 37.4 ± 3.0 g in body mass. One week before the experiment the mice were transferred to the laboratory and kept there

show abstract

“…The method of Simiand et al, (1984) was used. This study employed a staircase with five steps (2.5×10×7.5 cm) enclosed in Plexiglas.…”

Section: Staircase Test For Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Studies on the Behavioural Effects of the Methanol Extract of Leonotis Nepetifolia Linn Stem in Mice

Ayanwuyi¹,

Kwanashie²,

Hussaini³

et al. 2016

Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Leonotis nepetifolia Linn (Lamiaceae) is used in traditional medicine for its calming (tranquilizing) effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any scientific justification for this use. To achieve this purpose, we investigated the behavioural effects of the methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia stem (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg) in mice. Methods: Acute toxicity studies were carried out on the methanol stem extract of Leonotis nepetifolia to determine the LD50. The behavioural tests employed were diazepam-induced sleep onset and duration, hole board assay for exploratory activity, mouse beam walk assay for motor coordination, and the staircase test for the detection of anxiolytic compounds. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also carried out on the extract. Results: The intraperitoneal LD50 value was found to be 3.8 g/kg. The results showed that the extract significantly prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep at the highest dose (150 mg/kg). There was no observable effect on exploratory activity and motor coordination at the doses tested (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg). The extract, however, at 150 mg/kg elicited a significant decrease in the number of rearings in the staircase test, an effect also observed in the group of mice injected with an anxiolytic dose of diazepam. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. Conclusion:The results obtained suggest that the crude methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia stem possesses some biologically active constituents with potential anxiolytic activity and thus may justify its traditional use as a tranquilizer.

show abstract

The staircase test in mice: A simple and efficient procedure for primary screening of anxiolytic agents

Cited by 148 publications

References 23 publications

Genetic and Pharmacological Evidence of a Role for GABAB Receptors in the Modulation of Anxiety- and Antidepressant-Like Behavior

Genetic and Pharmacological Evidence of a Role for GABAB Receptors in the Modulation of Anxiety- and Antidepressant-Like Behavior

Different Sensitivity to Isoprenalin in Mice of Two Strains and Its Changes with Age

Preliminary Studies on the Behavioural Effects of the Methanol Extract of Leonotis Nepetifolia Linn Stem in Mice

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About