Influence of prior maze experience on behaviour and response to diazepam in the elevated plus-maze and light/dark tests of anxiety in mice

摘要: A single prior undrugged exposure to the elevated plus-maze has been reported reduce open arm activity on retest and attenuate/abolish anxiolytic response benzodiazepines at intervals ranging from 48 h 14 days. The present study was designed examine generality of these findings by comparing effects maze experience baseline behaviour diazepam in two murine models anxiety. Parallel experiments were conducted which DBA/2 mice exposed/not exposed plus-maze, treated daily with saline or (2-4 mg/kg for 8 days) then tested either light/dark test exploration. Results show that, both tests, reduced behavioural indices anxiety maze-naive only. However, interpretation this apparent loss efficacy is least partially confounded observation that per se altered procedures, reducing increasing light compartment test. elimination an animal discussed relation experience-related shifts behaviour.