{"title":"Methodological approach: using a within-subjects design in the marble burying assay.","authors":"Kaitlyn J Partridge, Ruth Olson, Todd M Hillhouse","doi":"10.1097/FBP.0000000000000752","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In 2016, the National Institutes of Health mandated the use of both male and female mice in funded research. The use of both sexes is an important variable to consider; however, it comes with negative consequences such as increased animal expenses. One way to combat these negatives is to explore the option of using a within-subjects design (repeated measures) in behavioral assays that historically use a between-subjects design. Our study aimed to determine if a within-subjects design can be utilized in the marble burying assay. The marble burying assay is used as a tool for screening putative anxiolytic compounds as the assay is thought to measure obsessive-compulsive disorder- or anxiety-like behaviors. First, we compared the effects of sex and digging medium (corn cob or Sani Chip) on the number of marbles buried using CD-1 mice. Second, we determined if mice would continue to bury marbles after repeated exposures to the test arena. Lastly, we tested three positive controls (buspirone, ketamine, and fluoxetine). We found that mice buried significantly more marbles within Sani Chip digging medium, and no sex differences were observed. Next, the number of marbles buried and locomotor activity remained consistent across four test sessions. The positive controls buspirone (3.2-10 mg/kg) ketamine (32 mg/kg), and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) decreased the number of marbles buried using the within-subjects design. These data suggest that a within-subjects design is optimal for the marble burying assay as it will reduce the number of animals and increase statistical power.</p>","PeriodicalId":8832,"journal":{"name":"Behavioural Pharmacology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Behavioural Pharmacology","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1097/FBP.0000000000000752","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/8/31 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In 2016, the National Institutes of Health mandated the use of both male and female mice in funded research. The use of both sexes is an important variable to consider; however, it comes with negative consequences such as increased animal expenses. One way to combat these negatives is to explore the option of using a within-subjects design (repeated measures) in behavioral assays that historically use a between-subjects design. Our study aimed to determine if a within-subjects design can be utilized in the marble burying assay. The marble burying assay is used as a tool for screening putative anxiolytic compounds as the assay is thought to measure obsessive-compulsive disorder- or anxiety-like behaviors. First, we compared the effects of sex and digging medium (corn cob or Sani Chip) on the number of marbles buried using CD-1 mice. Second, we determined if mice would continue to bury marbles after repeated exposures to the test arena. Lastly, we tested three positive controls (buspirone, ketamine, and fluoxetine). We found that mice buried significantly more marbles within Sani Chip digging medium, and no sex differences were observed. Next, the number of marbles buried and locomotor activity remained consistent across four test sessions. The positive controls buspirone (3.2-10 mg/kg) ketamine (32 mg/kg), and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) decreased the number of marbles buried using the within-subjects design. These data suggest that a within-subjects design is optimal for the marble burying assay as it will reduce the number of animals and increase statistical power.
期刊介绍:
Behavioural Pharmacology accepts original full and short research reports in diverse areas ranging from ethopharmacology to the pharmacology of schedule-controlled operant behaviour, provided that their primary focus is behavioural. Suitable topics include drug, chemical and hormonal effects on behaviour, the neurochemical mechanisms under-lying behaviour, and behavioural methods for the study of drug action. Both animal and human studies are welcome; however, studies reporting neurochemical data should have a predominantly behavioural focus, and human studies should not consist exclusively of clinical trials or case reports. Preference is given to studies that demonstrate and develop the potential of behavioural methods, and to papers reporting findings of direct relevance to clinical problems. Papers making a significant theoretical contribution are particularly welcome and, where possible and merited, space is made available for authors to explore fully the theoretical implications of their findings. Reviews of an area of the literature or at an appropriate stage in the development of an author’s own work are welcome. Commentaries in areas of current interest are also considered for publication, as are Reviews and Commentaries in areas outside behavioural pharmacology, but of importance and interest to behavioural pharmacologists. Behavioural Pharmacology publishes frequent Special Issues on current hot topics. The editors welcome correspondence about whether a paper in preparation might be suitable for inclusion in a Special Issue.