Articles

Light/Dark box

The light/dark box is a characteristic tool used in the assessment of anxiety. The basic measure is the animal’s preference for dark/enclosed places over bright/exposed places. Time spent in the light compartment, and the related exploratory behaviours, are reliable parameters for assessing anxiolytic effects that may be useful in identifying anxiolytic and anxiogenic agents. Walls fit solidly in slotted base, but lift off for easy cleaning. A fully automated version of this test, for mouse, is also available. The boxes are equipped with infra-red sensors to detect animal locomotion and location.