Elevated Plus Maze
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                                      The elevated plus maze is widely used as an anxiety paradigm and is based on unconditioned responses of mice to a potentially dangerous environment. A combination of maze height, luminosity, and open space is assumed to induce fear or anxiety, the degree of which is assessed by measuring the amount of time mice spend in various areas of the maze. For example, anxiolytic agents will increase the time spent in the open arms of the maze.

                                      AB
                                      C
                                      Anxiolytic agents, such as Diazepam, increase the time spent in the "aversive" open arm of the maze, (A) while not having an effect on the activity of the mouse, as measured by the distance travelled (B) and the total arm entries (C).
                                        The mGlu5 receptor antagonist, MPEP, increases the amount of time spent in the open arm of the Elevated Plus Maze.