Student Scholars & Faculty Mentors
Projects funded by our internal grants program. Search the table to find students or faculty mentors that share in your interests, and could help you achieve your goals in research, creative activity, or service.
Behavioral Experiments to Examine the Possible Anxiolytic Effects of Valerenic Acid in Mice Using the Light/Dark Exploration Test
Name: Patterson,
Advisor: Hoover, John
Department: BIOL
Award: Biology Student Investigator
Abstract: This proposal requests funds to carry out behavioral experiments aimed at testing whether valerenic acid (VA), a component of extracts from the plant Valeriana officinalis, reduces anxiety-like behavior in a mouse model. Mice (C57BL/6J) will be subjected to the light/dark exploration test under two conditions: after injection with 12 mg/kg of VA and after injection with a vehicle control solution. The behavior of the mice will be videorecorded and analyzed for signs of anxiolysis.