Primary Assay — Mouse
Open Field Test
Mus musculus
The most widely used behavioral assay in rodent neuroscience. Mice are placed in an open arena and locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior (center avoidance), and exploration are quantified over 5-30 minutes.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Mus musculus.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Total distance | cm | Cumulative path length |
| Mean velocity | cm/s | Average locomotor speed |
| Center time | % | Proportion of time in center zone (typically inner 50% of area) |
| Center entries | count | Number of crossings into center zone |
| Rearing | count | Vertical explorations (forelimb lifts) |
| Grooming bouts | count/s | Self-grooming episodes and duration |
| Fecal boli | count | Defecation events (autonomic anxiety index) |
References
Citations for Open Field Test
- Seibenhener ML, Wooten MC. (2015). Use of the open field maze to measure locomotor and anxiety-like behavior in mice. J Vis Exp, (96), e52434. PMID: 25742564
- Gould TD, Dao DT, Kovacsics CE. (2009). The open field test. In: Mood and Anxiety Related Phenotypes in Mice. Humana Press, pp 1-20.
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for Mouse Research
Open Field Maze (various sizes)
OFT locomotion and anxiety
Elevated Plus Maze
Anxiety-like behavior
Morris Water Maze
Spatial learning and memory
Fear Conditioning Chamber
Contextual and cued FC
Rotarod (accelerating)
Motor coordination
Three-Chamber Social Interaction
Sociability testing
Y-Maze
Spontaneous alternation
Barnes Maze
Spatial learning (dry, less stressful)
Light-Dark Box
Anxiety-like behavior
Forced Swim Test Cylinder
Depressive-like behavior
Tail Suspension Apparatus
Depressive-like behavior
Grip Strength Meter
Neuromuscular function
Related Assays
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Morris Water Maze
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Fear Conditioning (Contextual + Cued)
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Run Open Field Test on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your mouse facility.
