The Animal Model Development and Behavioral Assessment (AMD-BA) Core supports interdisciplinary geroscience research by providing specialized resources, expertise, and training in behavioral assessment, gait and mobility analysis, and the development, maintenance, and phenotyping of animal models of aging and age-related diseases. Using mouse models as the primary experimental platform, the core helps investigators examine the mechanistic links between aging and chronic disease through advanced cognitive, behavioral, and functional testing. The core provides access to state-of-the-art behavioral testing facilities, supports the development of improved experimental methods, and offers training in behavioral assays and specialized equipment. It also coordinates the sharing of aging-related animal tissues and manages the Geroscience tissue bank, making valuable resources available to investigators across the institution. By providing collaborative support, standardized protocols, and access to advanced technologies, the AMD-BA Core reduces technical barriers, strengthens interdisciplinary research, and accelerates discoveries in the biology of aging and age-related disease.
Behavioral and cognitive testing resources provide comprehensive assessment of learning, memory, anxiety, motor coordination, strength, gait, and exercise capacity in preclinical models of aging. These standardized assays enable investigators to evaluate age-related changes in cognitive and physical function and determine the effects of interventions on healthspan and neurological performance.
services
Radial Arm Water Maze
Assesses spatial learning and memory by measuring an animal's ability to locate a hidden escape platform using visual cues. Commonly used to evaluate hippocampal-dependent cognitive function and age-related memory decline.
Elevated Plus Maze
Measures anxiety-like behavior based on an animal's preference for enclosed versus open arms of an elevated maze. It can also provide information on exploratory behavior and locomotor activity.
Barnes Maze
Evaluates spatial learning and memory by testing an animal's ability to locate an escape hole using environmental cues. This dry-land task is widely used to assess hippocampal function without the stress of swimming.
Y-Maze
Assesses spatial working memory and exploratory behavior through spontaneous alternation between maze arms. It is a simple and sensitive test for detecting cognitive impairment.
Novel Object Recognition
Measures recognition memory by evaluating an animal's preference for exploring a novel object over a familiar one. It is commonly used to assess learning, memory, and cognitive deficits associated with aging and disease.
Fear Conditioning Chamber
Evaluates associative learning and memory by measuring conditioned fear responses to contextual or auditory cues. It is widely used to study memory formation, emotional processing, and stress-related behaviors.
Rotarod
Assesses motor coordination, balance, grip strength, and motor learning by measuring the time an animal remains on a rotating rod. It is commonly used to evaluate neuromuscular function and motor deficits.
Grip Strength
The Grip Strength test is used to phenotype different transgenic mouse strains and assess the impact of nov chemical entities on motor function. The mouse’s tail is gently pulled as it is instinctively grasping a wire grid. Just before the mouse releases, grip strength is recorded. This test evaluates the effects of disease, drugs a toxins on muscular degeneration
Noldus Catwalk
Analyzes voluntary gait and locomotion by capturing detailed paw placement, stride length, and gait patterns as animals traverse an illuminated walkway. It provides sensitive detection of motor and neurological impairments.
Treadmill
Measures endurance, exercise capacity, and fatigue resistance under controlled conditions. It is commonly used to assess physical performance and the effects of aging or interventions on exercise tolerance.