Topic: affective bias test

This study investigated the effects of pharmacologically distinct conventional antidepressants (amitriptyline, moclobemide, sertraline) and modulation of affective biases in rats. We tested each antidepressant in three different affective bias protocols (new learning protocol and modulation of negative affective biases associated with past experiences) and a reward learning assay (RLA) control. The affective bias test (ABT) requires animals to learn two independent and equal reward-value associations following control or drug treatment Any affective bias generated is quantified during a subseq

Use of animal models is pervasive across neuroscience research. Good quality research data is underpinned by good animal welfare, which can be achieved through methods of refinement. We have developed a framework that considers the lifetime experience of the laboratory animal and seeks to improve their welfare by targeting the 3Hs: Housing, Handling and Habituation.To promote natural behaviours both rats and mice are housed in highly enriched caging with sexually mature male mice housed individually to reduce social stress. Recognising the space restrictions of standard rodent caging, we also