2026-10-11T04:11:34Z
https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai
oai:figshare.com:article/34034899
2026-09-30T17:28:52Z
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<p>Low-dose/low-stress exposure does not alter body weight, anxiety-like behavior, or cognition in rats.</p>
Rashelle Lashley (7302038)
Joshua Brian Foster (20175776)
Xueqin Wang (350340)
Albert John Muhleman (20175779)
Samuel Weaver (1344039)
Edison Lin (25145140)
Liching Lai (25145143)
Chien-liang Glenn Lin (16856919)
Neuroscience
Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
Science Policy
Mental Health
related chemical agents
investigational compound designed
including chronic pain
improve translational rigor
robust behavioral phenotypes
like behavioral phenotypes
standardize animal models
harlan involving exposure
experimental conditions evaluated
gulf war illness
male sd rats
experimental conditions
behavioral assessments
gulf war
exposure paradigms
animal sources
rats using
rats may
subsequently modified
stress levels
rat model
psychological stress
original objective
neuropsychiatric symptoms
mood problems
mild stress
initially attempted
continued efforts
cognitive impairment
better interpret
<p>Rats were exposed to low-dose chemical agents under a low-stress protocol for five weeks. Body weight was monitored during and after exposure. At 4–5 weeks post-exposure, rats received LH-001 or vehicle. Anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors were assessed beginning 8–9 weeks post-exposure. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA unless otherwise indicated. Unless specified, n = 12 per group. <b>(A) Body weight</b> measured weekly during the first six weeks (n = 24/group). No significant differences were observed between groups. <b>(B, C) Open-field test</b>: time spent in the center (B) and total distance traveled (C). <b>(D) Elevated plus maze</b>: percentage of time spent in the open arms. <b>(E, F) Light–dark transition test</b>: latency to enter the dark compartment (E) and percentage of time spent in the light compartment (F) (n = 11–12/group). <b>(G, H) Novelty-suppressed feeding test</b>: food consumption (G) and latency to feed (H) (n = 10–12/group). <b>(I, J) Recognition memory tests</b>: discrimination index for novel object location (I) and novel object recognition (J). <b>(K, L) Barnes maze training</b>: latency to find the escape hole (K) and time spent in the target quadrant (L). <b>(M, N) Barnes maze re-training</b>: latency to locate the new escape hole (M) and time spent in the new target quadrant (N) one week later. <b>(O) Barnes maze memory recall</b>: time spent in the original target quadrant during the re-training probe. No significant differences were observed between groups in any behavioral measure.</p>
2026-09-30T17:28:43Z
Image
Figure
10.1371/journal.pone.0337157.g001
https://figshare.com/articles/figure/_p_Low-dose_low-stress_exposure_does_not_alter_body_weight_anxiety-like_behavior_or_cognition_in_rats_p_/34034899
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