Name Frauke Ohl
Department of Veterinary Sciences
Section Behavioural phenotyping and genomics
Function full prof
E-mail:
f.ohl@uu.nl
Tel +31 30 253 2033
Research group
Saskia Arndt
Ludo Hellebrekers
Hein van Lith
Hetty Boleij (PhD student)
Janneke Arts (PhD student)
Manon Schaap (PhD student)
Jose van't Klooster (biotechnical assistant)
Marla Lavrijssen (analyst)
Susanne Kirchhoff (lab coordinator)
Title research line Anxiety and Adaptation
Summary research We aim to investigate to what extent events during critical phases in the development of animals, in interaction with their genetic make up, influence their capacity to adapt to the husbandry conditions provided by laboratories, farms, and homes in later life. More specifically, we focus on the valid identification and definition of emotional states in animals and the way they perceive these states. Thus, we evaluate the critical set points of neurobiological mechanisms underlying emotions (such as reward sensitivity, anxiety and pain) and cognitive functions (such as the ability to learn to cope with challenges). Finally, we aim at translating the results to veterinary practice and, by understanding the biology of emotions, limit risk factors potentially affecting animal welfare. In addition, the insight gained may allow for developing new, highly relevant translational animal models.
Publications Ohl F, Sillaber I, Binder E, Keck ME, Holsboer F. Differential analysis of basal behavior and diazepam-induced alterations in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice using the modified hole board. J Psychiatr Res, 2001, 35: 147-154.
Ohl F. Testing for anxiety. Clin Neurosci Res, 2003, 3:233-238.
Ohl, F.; Arndt S.S.; van der Staay F.J. Pathological anxiety in animals. The Veterinary Journal, 2008, 175:18-26.
Salomons, AR; Kortleve, T; Reinders, NR; Kirchhoff, S; Arndt, SS; Ohl, F. Susceptibility of a potential animal model for pathological anxiety to chronic mild stress. BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 209 (2): 241-248 2010.
Salomons, AR; van Luijk, JAKR; Reinders, NR; Kirchhoff, S; Arndt, SS; Ohl, F. Identifying emotional adaptation: behavioural habituation to novelty and immediate early gene expression in two inbred mouse strains. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, 9 (1): 1-10 2010.