Abstract: This study quantifies behavioral traits of rodents in a standardized environment and establishes an assessment system based on four classic paradigms. The open-field test measures anxiety levels and exploratory motivation through parameters like time spent in the central zone. The elevated plus maze test is based on the approach-avoidance conflict between open and enclosed spaces, with the proportion of time spent and entries made in open arms serving as the key indicators. The forced swimming test and tail suspension test assess depression-like behaviors in rats by inducing a “behavioral despair” state, using immobility time as the evaluation metric. The experiments require rigorous standardization of environmental parameters, operational procedures, and testing sequences, and different animal strains must be selected based on strain-specific baselines to mitigate genetic background interference. These methods, through a multi-level analysis of locomotor activity-spatial exploration-behavioral despair, provide quantifiable and repeatable assessment tools for investigating emotional disorder mechanisms and advancing drug development.

Key words: ethological experiment, open-field test, elevated plus maze test, forced swimming test, tail suspension test, anxiety, depression 

摘要： 本文通过量化啮齿类动物在标准化环境中的行为特征,构建了基于四大经典范式的评估体系。旷场实验通 过中央区域停留时间等反映焦虑水平与探索动机;高架十字迷宫实验基于开放、封闭空间趋避冲突,以开臂探索时 间及次数占比为核心指标;强迫游泳实验及悬尾实验通过诱导“行为绝望”状态,以不动时间评估大鼠抑郁样行为。 实验需严格规范环境参数、操作方法及测试顺序,同时需根据品系特异性基线选择不同动物以克服遗传背景干扰。 这些方法通过运动活力-空间探索-行为绝望的多层次解析,为情绪障碍机制研究与药物开发提供了可量化、可重复 的评估工具。

关键词: 行为学实验, 旷场实验, 高架十字迷宫实验, 强迫游泳实验, 悬尾实验, 焦虑, 抑郁