• The duration of immobility in the forced swimming test in male rats is measured to evaluate the antidepressant potential of compounds. Animals are subjected to two trials during which they are forced to swim in a plexiglass cylinders filled with water and from which escape is impossible. There is a 24-hour interval between the first and second trial; the first trial lasts 15 min, the second ? 5 min. The total duration of immobility (s) is measured throughout the second trial. Antidepressants decrease the immobility time.
• The test has been validated by most current types of antidepressants.
• Porsolt RD, Anton G, Blavet N, and Jalfre M (1978) Behavioural despair in rats: a new model sensitive to antidepressant treatments. Eur. J. of Pharmacol. 47: 379-391.
  
• Apparatus : Plexiglass cylinders: height 40 cm, diameter 18 cm
  
• see : timer
  

Behavioural despair test (Porsolt test) in mice

• The duration of immobility in the forced swim test in male mice is measured to evaluate the antidepressant potential of compounds. Briefly, 60 min after a compound or placebo administration, mice are placed individually in the 10 L glass beakers, filled to a height of 6 cm with water (22-25 ¨¬C) and the duration of immobility is recorded during the last 4 min of a 6 min test. Antidepressants decrease the immobility time. The test has been validated by most current types of antidepressants.
• Porsolt RD, Bertin A and Jalfre M (1977) Behavioral despair in mice: screening test for antidepressants. Arch. of Intern. Pharmacol. and Therrap. 229: 327-336).
  
• Apparatus : 10 l glass beakers
  
• see :
  

Measurements of immobility and detailed behavioural analysis in rats(Forced-swim test)

• Test of depression, where rats are introduced into the cylinders filled with warm water (25oC) for 15 min. The level and depth of the water do not allow the rat to escape or to support its weight by leaning to the bottom. One day later (test day) they are reintroduced into the cylinders for 5 min and the duration and frequency of immobility, swimming, climbing and diving are recorded. The test is a common model of depression and is predictive for antidepressant activity.
• Detke MJ, Johnson J, Lucki I (1997) Acute and chronic antidepressant drug treatment in the rat forced swimming test model of depression. Experimental and Clin. Psychopharmacol., 5:107-112.
  
• Apparatus : i) glass cylinders (dimensions: diameter 25 cm, height 50 cm (ii) video recording system and (iii) behaviour analysis system (H77).
  
• see :
  

Tail suspension test in mice

• The duration of immobility in the tail suspension test in male mice is reliably decreased by antidepressant drugs. Mice are hung on a plastic string 75 cm above the table top with an adhesive tape and the duration of immobility is recorded for 8 min.
  
• Apparatus : plastic string 75 cm
  
• see :
  

Measurements of explorative activity in rats (Open field test)

• The exploratory activity of rats is observed in an open field. Ambulation (the number of crossings of section lines) and peeping (the number of times the animal peeped down from the edge of the arena) is manually recorded for 3 min. This test can be used for evaluation the effect of compounds on the locomotor activity of rats. Sedatives decrease and psychostimulants increase the exploratory activity of rats.
• Janssen P A J, Jagenau A H M and Schellekens K H C (1960) Chemistry and pharmacology of compound related to 4-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-butyrophenone. IV: Influence of haloperidol (R-1625) and chlorpromazine on the behaviour of rats in a unfamiliar open field situation. Psychopharmacology 1: 389-392.
  
• Apparatus : The open field consists of a circular arena, 1 m in diameter, without walls which is divided into six symmetrical sectors.
  
• see :Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric
  

Measurements of exploration and detailed behavioural analysis in rats (Open field test)

• The test measures the effect of drugs on anxiety and/or locomotor activity. A rat is placed into an unknown open field for 15 min (circular arena with a diameter of 90 cm) and the locomotor activity, rearings, grooming and movement pattern of the rat in the open field are determined. Anxiety measures include the distance moved within the central arena, the number of entries into the central arena and the time spent in the central arena. The test is predictive for both benzodiazepines and serotonergic anxiolytics (e.g. buspirone) and for various substances affecting locomotion.
• Rex A, Voigt JP, Voits M, Fink H (1998) Pharmacological evaluation of a modified open-field test sensitive to anxiolytic drugs. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 59: 677-683.
  
• Apparatus :(i) the open field (circular arena with a diameter of 90 cm; wall height 40cm; colour: dark grey; material: wooden base, metal wall; illumination: dim red; a 10x10x10 cm metallic object can be placed in the center of the open field in order to enhance central activity); (ii) video recording system (highly light sensitive monochrome Sony camera) and (iii) video tracking, motion analysis and behaviour recognition system.
  
• see :Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric
  

Measurements of exploration and detailed behavioural analysis in mice(Open field test)

• The test measures the effect of drugs on anxiety and/or locomotor activity. A mouse is placed into an unknown open field for 15 min (circular arena with a diameter of 90 cm) and the locomotor activity, rearings, grooming and movement pattern of the mouse in the open field are determined. Anxiety measures include the distance moved within the central arena, the number of entries into the central arena and the time spent in the central arena. The test is predictive for anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines and serotonergic compounds and for various substances affecting locomotion.
• Angrini M, Leslie JC, Shephard RA (1998) Effects of propranolol, buspirone, pCPA, reserpine, and chlordiazepoxide on open-field behavior. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 59: 387-397.
  
• Apparatus :(i) the open field (circular arena with a diameter of 90 cm; wall height 40cm; colour: dark grey; material: wooden base, metal wall; illumination: dim red; a 10x10x10 cm metallic object can be placed in the center of the open field in order to enhance central activity); (ii) video recording system (highly light sensitive monochrome Sony camera) and (iii) video tracking, motion analysis and behaviour recognition system.
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric
  

Drug treatment of the resident-intruder in rats

• Test of aggressiveness, where an intruder rat is placed into the home-cage of a resident rat and the attack latency and frequency, the attack pattern and the frequency of offensive and defensive postures are manually recorded for the resident and the intruder. The test is sensitive to the action of various compounds such as anxiolytics (e.g. benzodiazepines), antidepressants (e.g. SSRI's), anti-aggressives, serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic compounds. Compounds can be tested either in the resident or in the intruder. If the resident is treated the test is sensitive to anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs (SSRI¡¯s and tricyclics), whereas if the intruder is treated the test is sensitive to anti-aggression drugs.
  
• Apparatus : The test is performed in the home cage of the resident rat (dimensions : 60x40x50 cm;. walls: dark grey plastic, but the front wall is made of transparent plastic; illumination: dim red light; bedding: saw dust). The behaviour is recorded on video and analysed using the computer-based behavioural analysis system.
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric
  

Drug treatment of the resident-intruder in mice

• Test of aggressiveness, where an intruder mouse is placed into the home-cage of a resident mouse and the attack latency and frequency, the attack pattern and the frequency of offensive and defensive postures are manually recorded for the resident and the intruder. The test is sensitive to the action of various compounds such as anxiolytics (e.g. benzodiazepines), antidepressants (e.g. SSRI's), anti-aggression drugs, serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic compounds. Compounds can be tested either in the resident or in the intruder. If the resident is treated the test is sensitive to anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs (SSRI¡¯s and tricyclics), whereas if the intruder is treated the test is sensitive to anti-aggression drugs.
• Grant EC and Mackintosh JH (1963) A comparison of the social postures of some common laboratory rodents. Behaviour 21: 246-259.
  
• Apparatus : The test is performed in the home cage of the resident mouse (dimensions: 60x40x50 cm;. walls: dark grey plastic, but the front wall is made of transparent plastic; illumination: dim red light; bedding: saw dust). The behaviour is recorded on video and analysed using the omputer-based behavioural analysis system.
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric
  

Resident-Intruder paradigm in rats (Acute drug studies)

• To examine the effect of acute treatment with psychotropic drugs on the non-social, social and agonistic behaviour of resident rats during social encounters with unfamiliar, drug-free, intruder conspecific intruder rat. Antidepressant drugs commonly reduce the level of aggressive behaviour exhibited by the resident rats without modifying basal activity levels. This selective effect on rodent agonistic behaviour has been observed for all types of antidepressant drug regardless of acute pharmacology.
• Motivational category - Behavioural element
  • EXPLORATION - Locomotion, rearing
  • INVESTIGATION - Approach, follow, stretched attention, to-fro, walk round/circle/side, nose and investigate, sniff genitalia, tail rattle
  • SEXUAL - Mount*, attempt mount, lick penis
  • AGGRESSION - Aggressive groom, aggressive posture, attack, bite, offensive sideways, offensive upright, pull, threat/thrust
  • FLIGHT-SUBMIT - Defensive sideways, defensive upright, submit
  • FLIGHT-ESCAPE - Attend, crouch, elevated crouch, flag and evade, retreat, under food hopper
  • MAINTENANCE - Digging, drinking*, eating*, licking, scratching, head/body shake, washing
• Grant EC (1963). An analysis of the social behaviour of the male laboratory rat. Behaviour, 21, 260-281.
  
• Apparatus :
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Resident-Intruder paradigm in rats (Chronic drug studies)

• To examine the effect of chronic/continuous treatment with psychotropic drugs on the non-social, social and agonistic behaviour of resident rats during social encounters with unfamiliar, drug-free, intruder conspecific intruder rat. Chronic/continuous administration with antidepressant drugs commonly increases the level of aggressive behaviour exhibited by the resident rats without modifying basal activity levels. This effect on rodent agonistic behaviour has been observed for all types of antidepressant drug regardless of their acute pharmacology.
• The behavioural effects induced by chronic antidepressant drug treatment in the resident-intruder paradigm, in particular, are argued to be especially important considering the latency of therapeutic effect experienced with these drugs (Oswald et al., 1972; Eisen, 1989; Khan et al., 1989). Interestingly, studies have also indicated that repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) increases the aggressive behaviour of resident rats in a manner qualitatively similar to that induced by chronic antidepressant drug treatment. Quite clearly, therefore, the elevated aggressive behaviour exhibited by resident rats during chronic antidepressant drug treatment or repeated ECS appears to be a common behavioural effect in the rat induced by treatments known to be antidepressant in the clinic. This is particularly important with regard to the ability of this paradigm to predict the antidepressant potential of novel compounds. As previously hypothesised, the observed increase in aggressive behaviour (which may represent a disinhibition or release of rodent social and agonistic behaviour) may correspond to the reversal of intropunitive aggression (Priest et al., 1980) or impaired sociability (Dixon et al., 1989) in depressed patients that ultimately leads to the externalisation of emotions (see also Kaplan et al., 1961) associated with the remission from depressive illness.
• Motivational category - Behavioural element
  • EXPLORATION - Locomotion, rearing
  • INVESTIGATION - Approach, follow, stretched attention, to-fro, walk round/circle/side, nose and investigate, sniff genitalia, tail rattle
  • SEXUAL - Mount*, attempt mount, lick penis
  • AGGRESSION - Aggressive groom, aggressive posture, attack, bite, offensive sideways, offensive upright, pull, threat/thrust
  • FLIGHT-SUBMIT - Defensive sideways, defensive upright, submit
  • FLIGHT-ESCAPE - Attend, crouch, elevated crouch, flag and evade, retreat, under food hopper
  • MAINTENANCE - Digging, drinking*, eating*, licking, scratching, head/body shake, washing
  
  
• Apparatus :
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Resident-Intruder paradigm in rats (Acute drug studies)

• To examine the effect of chronic/continuous treatment with psychotropic drugs on the non-social, social and agonistic behaviour of resident rats during social encounters with unfamiliar, drug-free, intruder conspecific intruder rat. Chronic/continuous administration with antidepressant drugs commonly increases the level of aggressive behaviour exhibited by the resident rats without modifying basal activity levels. This effect on rodent agonistic behaviour has been observed for all types of antidepressant drug regardless of their acute pharmacology.
• The behavioural effects induced by chronic antidepressant drug treatment in the resident-intruder paradigm, in particular, are argued to be especially important considering the latency of therapeutic effect experienced with these drugs (Oswald et al., 1972; Eisen, 1989; Khan et al., 1989) . Interestingly, studies have also indicated that repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) increases the aggressive behaviour of resident rats in a manner qualitatively similar to that induced by chronic antidepressant drug treatment. Quite clearly, therefore, the elevated aggressive behaviour exhibited by resident rats during chronic antidepressant drug treatment or repeated ECS appears to be a common behavioural effect in the rat induced by treatments known to be antidepressant in the clinic. This is particularly important with regard to the ability of this paradigm to predict the antidepressant potential of novel compounds. As previously hypothesised, the observed increase in aggressive behaviour (which may represent a disinhibition or release of rodent social and agonistic behaviour) may correspond to the reversal of intropunitive aggression (Priest et al., 1980) or impaired sociability (Dixon et al., 1989) in depressed patients that ultimately leads to the externalisation of emotions (see also Kaplan et al., 1961) associated with the remission from depressive illness.
• Motivational category - Behavioural element
  • EXPLORATION - Locomotion, rearing
  • INVESTIGATION - Approach, follow, stretched attention, to-fro, walk round/circle/side, nose and investigate, sniff genitalia, tail rattle
  • SEXUAL - Mount*, attempt mount, lick penis
  • AGGRESSION - Aggressive groom, aggressive posture, attack, bite, offensive sideways, offensive upright, pull, threat/thrust
  • FLIGHT-SUBMIT - Defensive sideways, defensive upright, submit
  • FLIGHT-ESCAPE - Attend, crouch, elevated crouch, flag and evade, retreat, under food hopper
  • MAINTENANCE - Digging, drinking*, eating*, licking, scratching, head/body shake, washing
• Dixon AK, Fisch HU, Huber C and Walser A (1989). Ethological studies in animals and man: Their use in psychiatry. Pharmacopsychiatry, 22 (suppl 1), 44-50.
• Eisen A (1989). Fluoxetine and desipramine: A strategy for augmenting anti-depressant response. Pharmacopsychiatry, 22, 272-273.
• Kaplan SM, Kravetz RS and Ross WD (1961). The effects of imipramine on the depressive components of medical disorders. Proc 3rd World Congress Psychiatr, 2, 1362-1367.
• Khan A, Cohen S, Dager S, Avery DH and Dunner DL (1989). Onset of response in relation to outcome in depressed outpatients with placebo and imipramine. J Affect Disorders, 17, 33-38.
• Oswald I, Brezinova V and Dunleavy DLF (1972). On the slowness of action of tricyclic antidepressant drugs. Brit J Psychiatr, 120, 673-677.
• Priest RG, Beaumont G and Raptopoulos P (1980). Suicide, attempted suicide and antidepressant drugs. J Int Med Res, 8 (suppl 3), 8-13.
  
• Apparatus :
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Induction of psychosocial stress in male rats

• Model of chronic social stress in male rats, where the stress is induced by repeated social defeat. Stressed rats can be used in pharmacological tests of mood disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression). Since mood disorders are often associated with chronic stress states, the use of chronically stressed animals in behavioural tests increase the latter's relevance for the human condition. The present series of studies combines the induction of psychosocial stress in male rats with subsequent testing in a behaviours test sensitive to anxiolytic, anti-aggression or antidepressant drugs
• Sanchez C (1997) Acute stress enhances anxiolytic-like drug responses of mice tested in a black and white test box. European Neuropsychopharmacology 7: 283-288.
  
• Apparatus : The test is performed in social interaction cages that are divided into two compartments by a perforated transparent screen (dimensions: 60x40x50 cm;. walls: dark grey plastic with the front wall made of transparent plastic; illumination: dim red light; bedding: saw dust).
  
• see : Shuttle box
  

Variable social stress in female rats

• Model of chronic social stress in female rats. The stressed rats can be used in pharmacological tests of mood disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression), where the use of stressed rats can increase the relevance of the pharmacological investigations. The use of female rats is especially relevant since depression and anxiety disorders are more common in women that in men, while female rats are rarely used in pharmacological experiments. Crowding was shown to affect emotionality and various neuroendocrine and brain functions in rats (Armario et al. 1984; Bugajsky et al. 1999; De Goeij et al. 1992). The present series of studies combines the induction of social stress in female rats with subsequent testing in a behaviours test sensitive to anxiolytic, anti-aggression or antidepressant drugs.
• Armario A, Castellanos JM and Ballasch J (1984) Effect of crowding on emotional reactivity in male rats. Neuroendocrinology, 39: 330-333.
  
• Apparatus : The method requires individual cages (30x40x20cm) and group cages (40x40x20cm) (illumination: dim red light during examination; bedding: saw dust). The behaviour is recorded on video and analysed using the H77 computer-based behavioural analysis system.
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Agonistic behaviour in mice

• Model for anxiolytic, antidepressants and anti-aggressive drugs. The model uses naturally occurring behaviours of mice such as quantity of social interactions, fighting, defensive-escape behaviour, exploration of novel environment etc., to quantify the effects of drugs on the response to aversive stimuli from a strange partner. The test has been validated by several authors ( for review see Olivier B, J. Mos and PF Brain, 1987), and it has been found that anxiolytics e.g. benzodiazepines selectively decrease timid activities and disinhibit sociability and locomotion in timid singly-housed mice; antiaggressive agents e.g. eltoprazine decrease aggressivity and disinhibit sociability and locomotion in aggressive singly-housed mice; while anxiogenic agents e.g. beta-CCE or FG 7142 induce a decrease in social interactions and an increase in timid interactions. For prediction of antidepressant activity the model of animal agonistic behaviour has also been introduced. Antidepressant activity can be sensitively detected in animals whose normal behaviour had been "depressed" by drugs, or by other means, and in the presented model the sociability and locomotion is depressed in singly-housed male mice by the presence of the strange partner.
• Olivier B, Mos J, Brain PF (Eds.) (1987) Ethopharmacology of Agonistic Behaviour in Animals and Humans, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
  
• Apparatus : Behavioral analysis systems
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Social contacts in rats developed during local application of drugs

• The method allows the application of drugs into discrete brain sites, and the parallel assessment of behaviour. The method can be applied in combination with different tests involving social behaviour (e.g. social interaction and aggression), but also in elevated plus-maze or open field.
• Haller J, Abraham I, Zelena D, Juhasz G, Makara GB and Kruk MR (1998) Aggressive experience affects the sensitivity of neurones towards pharmacological treatment in the hypothalamic attack area. Behavioral Pharmacology 9: 469-475.
  
• Apparatus : The test requires in vivo microdialysis probes, pumps and social interaction cages (dimensions: 60x40x50 cm;. walls: dark grey plastic with the front wall made of transparent plastic; illumination: dim red light; bedding: saw dust). The behaviour is recorded on video.
  
• see :Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Chronic administration of antidepressants on amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity in rats

• The test is used as a screening test to detect adaptive changes in dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems after repeated treatment with antidepressant drugs. The rats receive drug treatment once or twice daily (customers choice) for 14 days. 90 min after the last administration of the drug, rats are injected with amphetamine and 30 min later they placed singly into cages photocells recording the activity for 1 hour. Repeated treatment with antidepressants enhances the amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity.
  
• Apparatus : The locomotor activity is measured in photoresistor actometers (two light beams, two photoresistors, L x W x H = 40 x 40 x 25 cm)
  
• see : Activity
  

chronic administration of antidepressants on quinpirole-induced locomotor hyperactivity in rats

• Test measures adaptive changes in dopamine system (D2 receptors) after chronic repeated treatment with antidepressant drugs. The rats receive drug treatment once or twice daily (customers choice) for 14 days. 90 min after the last administration of the drug, rats are injected with quinpirole (dopamine D2 receptor agonist) and 30 min later they placed singly into cages photocells. The activity counts are recorded for 2 hours. Repeated treatment with antidepressants enhances the quinpirole-induced locomotor hyperactivity.
  
• Apparatus : The locomotor activity is measured in photoresistor actometers (two light beams, two photoresistors, L x W x H = 40 x 40 x 25 cm)
  
• see : Activity
  

chronic administration of antidepressants on (¡¾)-7-OH-DPAT -induced locomotor hyperactivity in rats

• Test measures adaptive changes in dopamine system (D3 /D2 receptors) after repeated treatment with antidepressant drugs. The rats receive drug treatment once or twice daily (customers choice) for 14 days. 90 min after the last administration of the drug, the rats are injected with 7-OH-DPAT (dopamine D3/D2 receptor agonist) and 30 min later they placed singly into cages photocells recording the activity for 1 hour. Repeated treatment with antidepressants enhances the 7-OH-DPAT-induced locomotor hyperactivity.
  
• Apparatus : The locomotor activity is measured in photoresistor actometers (two light beams, two photoresistors, L x W x H = 40 x 40 x 25 cm)
  
• see : Activity
  

chronic administration of antidepressants on reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice

• The test measures the ability of compounds to inhibit a reserpine-induced decrease in body temperature in mice. The test is used for an early screening of potential antidepressant drugs with the mechanism of action similar to tricyclic antidepressants (noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
  
• Apparatus : thermistor thermometer
  
• see : Amplifier - temperature
  

chronic administration of antidepressants on methoxamine-induced exploratory hyperactivity in rats

• The rats treated with drug repeatedly are injected with methoxamine (intracerebroventricularly). 30 min later rats are placed in the centre of the open arena and allowed to explore freely. The exploratory behaviour is assessed in single rat. Antidepressant drugs given repeatedly (imipramine, desipramine) increase the effect of methoxamine vs. vehicle control group (adaptive changes in alpha-1 adrenergic system). The test is used for screening the adaptive changes in alpha-1 adrenergic system ( alpha-1 up-regulation) after repeated treatment of drug.
• Janssen PAJ, Jageneau AHM, Schellekens KHL (1960) Chemistry and pharmacology of compounds related to 4-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidino)-butyrophenone, part IV. Influence of haloperidol (r1625) and of chloropromazine on the behaviour of rats in an unfamiliar "open field" situation. Psychopharmacologia 1: 389-392.
  
• Apparatus : The exploratory activity is measured in the open field (black arena without walls, divided into 6 sectors with white lines, 100 cm in diameter).
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

chronic administration of antidepressants on phenylephrine-induced exploratory hyperactivity in rats

• The rats treated with drug repeatedly are injected with phenylephrine (intracerebroventricularly). 30 min later rats are placed in the centre of the open arena and allowed to explore freely. The exploratory behaviour is assessed in single rat. Antidepressant drugs given repeatedly (imipramine, desipramine) increase the effect of phenylephrine vs. vehicle control group (adaptive changes in alpha-1 adrenergic system). The test is used for screening the adaptive changes in alpha-1 adrenergic system ( alpha-1 up-regulation) after repeated treatment of drug
• Janssen PAJ, Jageneau AHM, Schellekens KHL (1960) Chemistry and pharmacology of compounds related to 4-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidino)-butyrophenone, part IV. Influence of haloperidol (r1625) and of chloropromazine on the behaviour of rats in an unfamiliar "open field" situation. Psychopharmacologia 1: 389-392.
  
• Apparatus : The exploratory activity is measured in the open field (black arena without walls, divided into 6 sectors with white lines, 100 cm in diameter).
  
• see : Activity (behavioral) Instruments - Ergometric, and Video tracking systems
  

Continuous biotelemetrical recording of somatic variables

• The method enables assessing acute and chronic somatic reactions to pharmacological treatments, possibly in combination with stress. The VitalView system is being used for this purpose. Rats are implanted with sensors that measure heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity, and transmit recorded values to a computer-based system. In addition, feeding and drinking are recorded by separate sensors. Recordings are continuous, can last from ours to weeks, and the frequency of data sampling can be set from 1 sec upwards. The method can be used for assessing acute or chronic drug-induced changes in the variables listed above. In addition, the method can also be used for assessing drug-induced changes in stress reactivity (e.g. by combining drug treatments with acute or chronic stressors). Such data may be used in the study of anxiolytic, antidepressant, feeding, etc. studies.
  
• Apparatus : sensor of heart rate, temperature, and locomometer
  
• see :Telemetric method