Animal Behavior Research Blog Posts

LIFESTART project

The importance of good nutrition for human babies is well known. But what about young animals?

Is a unique calcium regulating mechanism a cause of Gulf War Illness?

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is potentially caused by organophosphate exposure. Through behavioral experiments, using a DFP rat model, researchers tested levetiracetam as a potential cure.

Gut microbes: both cause and cure of autism?

Gut microbes can increase or decrease typical autism spectrum disorder behavior (stereotypies, social behavior, locomotion, and communication) via metabolites and influencing alternative gene splicing.

Stereotypical effects on cognitive bias

Stressed-induced stereotypical behavior in lab mice have different effects on cognition. The radial arm maze is often used to investigate this.

The effect of microplastics and pharmaceuticals on trophic interactions

Microplastics (found in common products such as toothpaste) and pharmaceuticals have an impact on the environment. Their combined effect, however, is still largely unknown.

About unexpected results: predator odor excites mice

The temperature of the tail and eyes of rodents is indicative of their emotional state. What would be the effect of a specific predator cue?

How doing exercises counteracts the effects of Alzheimer’s disease

Recent research has shown that rats induced with Alzheimer’s disease suffered less from the effects of the disease when subjected to exercise.

How to best assess pain-related behaviors in preclinical studies

Most humans can tell you they’re in pain. However, assessing pain sensitivity in rodents during preclinical studies is a challenge.

ChickenStress project

The abolition of battery farming has improved chicken welfare, but there are still problems like feather pecking. In the ChickenStress project, we will try to understand better how to reduce stress and improve welfare.

How mice regain their memory: Betaine against Alzheimer’s Disease

As a potential Alzheimer medicine, betaine was tested on an AD animal model in a novel object recognition test. Using video tracking, scientists studied the influence of betaine and betaine transporter on mouse memory.

Diazepam in the battle against Alzheimer’s

Scientists have found out that a low dose of the tranquilizer diazepam reduces the breakdown of neurons, seen in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Assessing gait in a mouse model for Leigh Syndrome

There is an unmet medical need to develop clinical effective treatments for Leigh Syndrome and other mitochondrial diseases. Today, Dr. de Haas shares some of her research insights.