Conflict tests

One of the most popular tests used to measure anxiety in animals are operant conflict tests. The word operant means that the subject, whether animal or human, must perform some task to bring about a specific result. In this kind of test, something that the animal likes or needs (such as food or water) is used as positive reinforcement to teach the animal to perform a task. For example, a rat might learn that pressing a lever brings the delivery of a food pellet. In this case, pressing the lever is the operant behavior and the food pellet is... 

Operant conflict test—test conducted on an animal or human in which the subject must perform a task to obtain a specific result. Something that the animal Kkes or needs (such as food or water) is used as positive reinforcement to teach a task. 

Britton KT, Morgan J, Rivier J, et al Chlordiazepoxide attenuates response suppression induced by corticotropin-releasing factor in the conflict test. Psychopharmacology 86 170-174, 1985... 

Long-term testing is incomplete Conflicting test results States are waiting on other states results... 

These models are classified into two major groups those based on unconditioned behavior and those based on conditioned behavior. The former tests employ responses controlled ty operant conditioning procedures, and are typified by the traditional Geller-Seifter and Vogel conflict tests, whereas the latter models rely on the natural aversive reactions of animals to novel stimuli, such as an unfamiliar environment (elevated plus maze) or another animal (social interaction). Although it is imperative to use a variety of animal models, tests that do not involve unnatural responses or punishment are increasingly favored. 

Borage oil administered to male volunteers for 28 d attenuated the blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature response to the Stroop color-word conflict test, and improved task performance (Mills et al., 1989). 

Two pyrimidinyl compounds (71) and (72) and pyrazine (70) were evaluated. Of these, the 2-primidinyl compound (71) displayed slightly less binding affinity than (32) with better potency in the PTZ seizure assay and equivalent potency in the conflict test. 

In the conflict test in monkeys, (92) was effective at doses in which no physical signs of ataxia, soft body tone, sedation (decreased spontaneous activity or slow ambulation) or a decrease in motor coordination (agility) were observed. By comparison, adverse effects such as ataxia, soft body tone or decreased agility were slight or mild. The difference in the occurrence of side-effects with (92) in rats versus monkeys may be due to better oral absorption of the drug by rats. 

The anxiolytic activity of rose oil has recently been reported by two groups. In the first smdy, the oil was active in mice using the Geller and Vogel conflict tests. The authors concluded that the active constituents were 2-phenethyl alcohol and citronel-lol. In the second study, inhalation of rose oil to adult male rats (1-5% w/w) produced an anxiolytic effect comparable to diazepam (1 and 2mg/kg, i.p.) in the elevated plus-maze test. ... 

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