Posts by Gonny Smit

How autistic fruit flies behave

The number of children diagnosed with developmental disorders has increased exponentially in the past 20 yearschemicals such as BPA have been under investigation lately.

How to measure the social behavior of Fragile X mice

The treatment of Fragile X syndrome is limited to the symptoms. One of the factors currently holding back drug development is the difficulty of finding a reliable behavioral test for neurobiological studies.

Side effects of L-DOPA investigated in parkinsonian rats

These studies specifically investigate the long-term effects of L-DOPA or levopoda, a common clinical treatment for Parkinson's disease, with which many patients struggle.

Parkinson’s & gait impairment: comparing rats and humans

Gait impairment is one of the most prominent symptoms of Parkinson's disease. For good research you need good models and good tests.

How males and females are different: can this explain autism?

Women and Venus, men and Mars, right? In mice, the establishment of social hierarchies is sex-dependent.

How young zebrafish cope with stress

Stress is a natural thing, and how we cope with it differs from person to person. In research, we use the term coping style, something that emerges early on in life for zebrafish.

Walking the ladder: testing the cellular source of motor functioning in mice

The cerebellum, our “little brain”, is all about motor control; more specifically, it’s about coordination, precision, and timing.

How wild cavies and domesticated guinea pigs differ

Domestication has a considerable effect on the behavior of animals. The dramatic change in their environment and provision of food alter the need for behaviors such as exploration. But what exactly is the difference?

How an internal clock gene can alter innate behaviors in mice

Some might argue that laboratory mice are not the same as wild mice, yet they remain capable of performing the innate, routine behaviors necessary to survive in natural environments, such as courtship and nest-building,

How to measure emotions in pigs

A commonly used assay for assessment of fear in animals is the novel environment test.In this test, an animal is placed in an arena for a particular time period and behaviors are scored.

6 things you must consider to improve your open field testing

Here are six recommendations the authors list to improve the translational and predictive value of behavioral readouts.

The do’s and don’ts in behavioral testing: improve your open field test

Scientists have been performing open field tests for quite some time now. Over the years it has become one of the most popular tests in rodent behavioral research. So what’s not to love?