This apparently simple test depends on the way how experimenter evaluates moving and immobility. Video analysis permits reproducible results which is especially important when several genetically modified lines are compared. Screenshot demonstrates the main principles of the approach – when intensity of moving does not matters, two mice can be analyzed at once using two adjustable zones (green on the cartoon).

The experimenter draws zones so that during escaping move animal’s head is off the zone. This event and its time are counted. When the intensity of moving matters two zones (green and gray on the cartoon) are positioned for one mouse. Data on number of moving, time of moving and percentage of immobility are on the screen and can be recorded in the file.