title: Assessment of acute thermal nociception in laboratory animals.
abstract: Models of acute nociception using a thermal stimulus are widely employed as screening methods for nociceptive properties of new drug compounds. In this chapter, detailed descriptions for conducting of two of the most commonly used models; the hot plate test and the "Hargreaves test," are described. These models are applicable to both rats and mice and have the advantage of allowing repeated and multiple testing using a single animal because the stimulus is transitory and produces no tissue damage. Additionally, a modification of these models using a skin-twitch reflex that is applicable to large laboratory animals such a dogs or sheep is described. Guidance concerning potential confounding variable are discussed, as are tips for reducing variably among testing sessions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Tony L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Yaksh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats