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Thigmotaxis as an index of anxiety in mice. Influence of dopaminergic transmissions
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Abstract
When mice are introduced into an open-field, they are inclined to explore mainly the
peripheral zone of this open-field. This tendency to remain close the walls, called
thigmotaxis, decreases gradually during the first minutes of exploration. We have
considered the degree of thigmotaxis during this period of decrease as an index of
anxiety in mice. This hypothesis has been validated with several reference anxiogenic
drugs (dexamphetamine, pentylenetetrazole, yohimbine, idazoxan) which increased thigmotaxis;
and with anxiolytic drugs (buspirone, phenobarbital), which reduced it. On this test
the selective or non-selective indirect dopamine agonists GBR 12783, dexamphetamine
and cocaine induced an increase of thigmotaxis. Finally, the simultaneous involvement
of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors has been evidenced in the anxiogenic-like effect associated
with an increase of dopaminergic transmissions.