
Creative Biolabs
Elevated Plus Maze Test
FromCreative Biolabs
EPM is one of the most popular behavioral tests for research on anxiety, initially developed for rats and more recently for other species such as mice, guinea pigs. The test apparatus is raised above the floor and comprises two closed (dark, with walls) and two open arms (illuminated, without walls) that are arranged to form a plus shape. The test is based on the rodents' natural aversion to the open and elevated areas, which is reported to be caused by fear of open and elevated spaces.