Posts by Gonny Smit

Network and learn – our favorite neuroscience conferences in 2023

We’ve put together a short list of the best (behavioral) neuroscience conferences for you to attend. Opportunities to meet up and talk science!

What you need to know about the CatWalk gait analysis method

Let's take a little step back and talk about the history and technology of the CatWalk system. What was the reason of creating this gait analysis system for rats and mice? How does it work?

True or false? 10 statements about gait research in rodents

There are many ‘facts’ going around about rodent gait research tests and systems. How well they work, drawbacks, what they can and cannot measure. In this article, we get some of the facts straight.

How horse riding and gardening improve quality of life for people with dementia

Quality of life is an important aspect of dementia care. Horse riding and gardening may provide positive emotional experiences and even enhance daily functioning.

Gender differences in rodent research

Gender differences matter in research. Many studies focus on male mice, but female representation is crucial for accurate, inclusive, and impactful science.

WHY use a Y-maze? Automating learning and memory tests in rodents

Y-maze testing is exactly what you would think: a maze with three arms that maze rodents have to navigate on their way to food, shelter, or another reward. It is often used to test spatial learning, but why?

Zebrafish attracted to superfish: video tracking sex differences in shoaling

Are images enough to evoke a shoaling response in zebrafish? Do males and females respond differently to shoals or the opposite sex? A recent study finds out.

Environmental enrichment rescues autistic-like behaviors in mice

A recent mice study from The Scripps Research Institute shows that behavioral therapy might still be successful in later diagnosis of ASD with macrocephaly, laying groundwork for successful late interventions.

Behavioral research shows how elephants like their new habitat at the Oregon Zoo

The elephants at the Oregon Zoo got a new and improved place to live. This 4-year study described in detail how the animals adapted and liked the new features of their habitat.

Sunshine and romance: ultraviolet light enhances sexual behavior

Ultraviolet B rays in sunshine enhances our romantic passion. How this actually works is still largely unknown. Research at the Tel Aviv University provides new insights.

Getting robust results: one zebrafish is not like the other

Zebrafish larvae locomotor behavior often has a high variability, which can have a big impact on your results. Still, it is one of the most used parameters. So how can you make your study more robust?

How behavioral core facilities advance research

Behavioral cores benefit universities as well as science in general. Recent cases show improved reproducibility of tests and protocols to assess a more complex phenotype of model animals.