Emotions trigger physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, blood flow, and hormone release, that prepare the body to respond effectively to environmental demands. Emotional changes in aging are complex and multifaceted, encompassing alterations in anxiety, fear, and depression. Behavioral studies are essential to understanding these changes and provide a platform for studying the emotional and psychological state of aging animals.
Fig. 1 Common apparatuses for analyzing the effects of aging on anxiety-like behaviors in animal models. (Tucker LB and McCabe JT, 2021)
CD BioSciences offers a comprehensive suite of emotion analysis services specifically designed for aging evaluation in animal models. Our team of experienced experts leverages advanced techniques in behavioral neuroscience to deliver insightful data, helping clients better understand the complexities of age-related emotional changes.
Evaluation of Aging by Anxiety-Like Behavior Tests
Anxiety-like behaviors are common in aging and can be effectively studied using established behavioral tests. CD BioSciences offers the following services to evaluate anxiety in animal models.
Analysis of Aging Effects on Open Field Behaviors
Our scientists place the experimental animal at the center of the open field arena and leave immediately. Animal behavior is recorded in the open field within 15 minutes. Our services provide insight into general animal activity, exploration, and anxiety-like behaviors. By monitoring parameters such as movement patterns, rearing frequency, and time spent in the center of the open arena, our experts can detect emotional changes associated with aging, uncovering the impact of aging on the animal's overall well-being and adaptability to novel environments.
Analysis of Aging Effects on Elevated Plus Maze Behaviors
Our elevated plus maze (EPM) setup consists of a plus-shaped maze with two open and two enclosed arms, elevated above the ground. We use this test to investigate the effects of aging on animal behavior by comparing how the aging animals explore the open, exposed arms versus the protected enclosed arms. Our experts help clients analyze the time spent and the number of entries in each arm to assess emotional reactivity and risk-taking behavior in aging animals. Our services support the strategic design and screening of anti-aging interventions targeting specific age-related diseases.
Analysis of Aging Effects on Behaviors in the Light/Dark Paradigm
In the light/dark (LD) test, our experimental setup consists of two chambers, light and dark. Our experts employ this paradigm to examine the impact of aging on an animal's natural preference for the protected, dark compartment versus the aversive, brightly lit compartment of the test apparatus. We record the time spent and the frequency of transitions between the two zones to unveil the animal's emotional reactivity and coping strategies in response to age-related changes.
Evaluation of Aging by Depression-Like Behavior Tests
Analysis of Aging Effects on Behaviors in Forced Swim Tests
The forced swim test (FST) is a widely used model for assessing depression-like behaviors characterized by immobility in an inescapable environment. Our experienced team offers services to investigate how aging influences an animal's tendency to engage in active coping strategies versus passive, helpless behaviors when confronted with an inescapable stressful situation. Our data unveil the emotional adaptability and the emergence of depression-like symptoms in aging animals.
CD BioSciences offers a range of services to characterize emotional aging in animal models. Our services help clients identify potential therapeutic targets and develop interventions to improve emotional health in the aging population. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.
References
- Ebner NC, Fischer H. Emotion and aging: evidence from brain and behavior.Front Psychol, 2014, 5: 996.
- Tucker LB, McCabe JT. Measuring Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Traumatic Brain Injury.Front Behav Neurosci, 2021, 15: 682935.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
