Optimization of a contextual conditioning protocol for rats using combined measurements of startle amplitude and freezing: The effects of shock intensity and different types of conditioning

▶ Contextual conditioning in rats is typically quantified using startle amplitude or freezing time. ▶ We optimized a behavioural paradigm combining both measures of anxiety. ▶ We found no differences between conditioning with shocks alone versus unpaired shocks and tones. ▶ Ten 0.8 mA - 250 ms shocks produced reliable contextual anxiety as measured with both startle and freezing.