in rodents, dexterity is commonly analyzed in preference paradigms in which animals are given the chance to use either the left or the right front paws to manipulate food. however, paw preference and dexterity at population and individual levels are controversial as results are incongruent across paradigms. we have therefore developed a semi-quantitative method - the pawdeness trait test (patrat) - to evaluate paw preference degree in rats. the patrat consists in a classification system, ranging ...
grooming is a complex and robust innate behavior, commonly performed by most vertebrate species. in mice, grooming consists of a series of stereotyped patterned strokes, performed along the rostro-caudal axis of the body. the frequency and duration of each grooming episode is sensitive to changes in stress levels, social interactions and pharmacological manipulations, and is therefore used in behavioral studies to gain insights into the function of brain regions that control movement execution a ...
commentary: social stress contagion in rats: behavioral, autonomic and neuroendocrine correlates ...
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