Animal behavior assessment provides a hallmark to characterize animal models of brain disorders. We use behavioral measurement to assess cognitive and emotional functions in the animal, and link behavioral data with imaging approaches to investigate the neural mechanism underlying characteristic behaviors in different animal models of brain disorders.
Our behavioral measurement includes:
• Fear conditioning and extinction: emotion learning
• T-maze: spatial learning
• Open field: locomotor activity
• Elevated plus maze/Light Dark Test: anxiety
• Startle response: alertness/arousal level
• Pre-pulse inhibition: sensory gating