The Hole-Board Test in Mutant Mice

First described by Boissier and Simon in (Ther Recreat J 17:1225–1232, 1962), the hole-board has become a recognized test of anxiety and spatial memory. Benzodiazepines acting at the GABA A -BZD site increase hole-pokes in rats and mice, indicating a loss in behavioral inhibition concordant with the behavior of mutant mice deficient in the GABA transporter. Hole-poking also depends on arousal mechanisms dependent on dopaminergic transmission, as indicated by drug and null mutant studies. In addition, the behavior is modified in natural and null mutants affecting the cerebellum as well as null mutants affecting neuropeptides, growth factors, cell adhesion, and inflammation. Further research is required to determine convergences between genetic and pharmacological effects.