Analysis of the intensity of anxiety response measured with elevated plus-maze test

Anxiety plays undoubtedly important role in the life of the individual units and leads to the search for better mechanisms for adaptation engaged in mobilizing for action. An important role in the regulation mechanisms for the escape and providing increased activity of the organisms plays catecholamines. The neurochemical background of anxiety is increase of concentration of noradrenaline and dopamine in the emotional structures of the brain. In the present work we used Elevated Plus-Maze test (EPM test). The EPM test is widely used to study behavior of rodents for exploration and emotionality. It was made an analysis of changes in concentration of noradreneline (NA), dopamine (DA) and their metabolites in selected brain regions in rats after the EPM. HPLC analysis showed elevation of MHPG level in the hypothalamus (HPT) and DOPAC in the frontal cortex (CTX) of rats. These results indicate stimulation of the dopaminergic system activity in the CTX with simultaneous increase of the noradrenergic system activity in the HPT.