There are multiple variations of this test. Some experiments use more marbles while other variants place the marbles differently. It is important to keep the laboratory quiet while performing this experiment to avoid unintended results. Younger mice will bury marbles faster than older mice so the age of the mice being tested must be the same. Criticisms There are mixed opinions over the validity of the marble burying test. If the marbles cause anxiety, critics point out that rodents would most likely remain immobile or avoid the side containing marbles. Critics also point out that the marble burying test reacts to two types of drugs the SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have been shown to have no effect on patients with OCD. If the test measured OCD then benzodiazepines would not affect rodent behavior. The marble burying test measures one acute dose of anti-anxiety agent for thirty minutes. It can be weeks before a noticeable change is observed in patients. There is also a genetic component to this test. Some strains show decreased burying behaviour. This can be counteracted by coating marbles with substances such as Tabasco sauce which will increase burying. The general consensus when testing potential anxiety and OCD medication is to perform a battery of anxiety tests with a high predictive validity to determine the potential therapeutic value of a novel agent. See also Elevated Plus Maze Open Field (animal test) Animal Models of Depression References Animal testing techniques Psychology experiments