Elevated Plus Maze
1Anxiety Index, percent open arm time, locomotion control
Open toolRodent Behavior Tests
Every calculator, analyzer, and scorer we publish, organized by paradigm. Pick a test, run the math, then connect the assay to apparatus and ConductVision video automation.
30+ tools10 paradigmsFree, no login
Anxiety
Tests that use a rodent's natural approach-avoidance conflict to index anxiety-like behavior.
Light-Dark Box
2Time and entries in light versus dark compartment
Open toolOpen Field
3Center versus periphery, locomotion, thigmotaxis
Open toolMarble Burying
4Percent marbles at least two-thirds buried, anxiety and repetitive behavior
Open toolAcoustic Startle
5Mean startle amplitude and habituation slope
Open toolPrepulse Inhibition
6Percent PPI and sensorimotor gating
Open toolDepression
Behavioral assays of behavioral despair and anhedonia, including FST, TST, and sucrose preference.
Memory
Spatial, recognition, and associative memory paradigms.
Morris Water Maze
Escape latency, path efficiency, probe quadrant time
Open toolBarnes Maze
Errors, primary latency, total latency, search strategy
Open toolY-Maze Alternation
Percent spontaneous alternation and working memory
Open toolT-Maze Percent Correct
Rewarded alternation and working-memory accuracy
Open toolRadial Arm Maze
Reference and working memory errors
Open toolNovel Object Recognition
Discrimination index and recognition memory
Open toolFear Conditioning
Cued and contextual freezing for associative memory
Open toolActive/Passive Avoidance
Step-down or shuttle avoidance memory
Open toolMotor
Strength, coordination, balance, and asymmetry assays.
Rotarod
Latency to fall on an accelerating rod
Open toolPole Test
T-turn and T-total latency for bradykinesia
Open toolBeam Walk
Traversal time and foot slips
Open toolWire Hang
Best and mean hang time for neuromuscular endurance
Open toolCylinder Test
Schallert asymmetry index for unilateral lesion models
Open toolRepetitive
Repetitive and stereotyped behavior assays for autism-spectrum disorder models.
Nociception
Acute and inflammatory pain assays.
Von Frey Up-Down
Mechanical 50 percent withdrawal threshold
Open toolHot Plate
Mean response latency and cutoff handling
Open toolTail Flick
Radiant heat latency
Open toolHargreaves
Plantar paw withdrawal and left/right asymmetry
Open toolPain Percent Maximum Effect
Percent maximum possible effect for opioid dose-response
Open toolCognition
Attention, impulsivity, set-shifting, and operant cognitive paradigms.
Reward
Drug reward and reinforcement paradigms.
Conditioned Place Preference
Delta CPP and post-test preference percentage
Open toolOperations
Operations tools for running a behavior core.
Run a Behavior Core
Battery sequencer, acclimation, IRR, ethogram, SOP
Open tool- Find rodent behavior calculators by paradigm instead of searching one assay at a time
- Plan mouse behavioral phenotyping batteries across anxiety, depression, memory, motor, social, pain, cognition, and reward endpoints
- Link from a calculator to the broader behavior-core workflow and relevant apparatus categories
Don't use for
- Replacing protocol review, veterinary oversight, or IACUC approval
- Claiming automated scoring validity without local video and rater validation
Resources
- Primary endpoint and backup endpoint named before data collection
- Motor, sensory, or locomotor controls selected where needed
- One-trial novelty tests placed before severe stressors
- Acclimation and handling schedule written by cohort
- Scoring rubric and exclusion rules written before unblinding
- Battery order and rest days included in the methods section
Choosing a paradigm
A paradigm should map to the hypothesis before it maps to a famous assay name. Elevated plus maze and light-dark box both measure approach-avoidance conflict, but they differ in light level, height, novelty, and locomotor demand. Morris water maze, Barnes maze, Y-maze, and novel object recognition all touch memory, but they ask different questions about spatial learning, working memory, and recognition.
Pair the primary endpoint with a control that can explain false positives. For example, open-field locomotion helps interpret anxiety and depression assays, rotarod helps interpret maze performance, and sensory or motor checks help interpret pain and startle outcomes.
Designing a battery
A good battery protects interpretation. Run handling and acclimation the same way for every cohort. Put baseline exploration and motor checks early. Keep high-stress tests late. Avoid repeating one-shot anxiety assays in a way that turns novelty into learning.
Recommended order is a planning tool, not a universal rule. Strain, sex, age, lighting, apparatus geometry, prior handling, and disease model can all change the right sequence. Write the rationale before data collection starts.
Reporting standards
Report the apparatus, dimensions, lighting, cleaning agent, habituation, trial duration, exclusion rules, scoring method, rater blinding, and statistical plan. For video tracking, report sampling rate, zone definitions, smoothing, threshold values, and any manual corrections.
For multi-test batteries, report the exact order and spacing. A result from an elevated plus maze after fear conditioning is not the same experimental context as elevated plus maze after handling and open field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
Run a behavior core
Plan battery order, acclimation, rater reliability, ethograms, and SOPs.
Browse →Behavioral Lab
Browse apparatus and room setup options for rodent behavioral phenotyping.
Browse →ConductVision
Automated video tracking and scoring workflows for behavior labs.
Browse →Need Help?
Get a quote on equipment or talk to our team.
Request quote →
Social
Sociability and social-novelty paradigms.
Three-Chamber Sociability
Social preference and social novelty
Open toolSocial Interaction
Social investigation percentage and aggression per minute
Open tool