Comparison Between Conventional and Automated Analysis Tools Applied to the Open Field Test in an Animal Model of Stress and Apical Periodontitis

• Grant number: 25/27538-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Rayana Duarte Khoury
• Grantee: Julia Karoline Figueiredo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mental or emotional stress is one of the greatest adversities today, affecting individuals in terms of general health, homeostasis, well-being, and even in the social sphere (Alexa Al et al., 2023). In this way, stress is considered an important reference point for diagnosing an individual's health status, as it is a symptom associated with various health problems, such as mental disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, drug abuse, and chronic illnesses (Blanchard DC., 2018). Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the ToxTrac tool for behavioral analysis through the open field test in experimental animals subjected to chronic stress and associated with the presence of apical periodontitis. This is the first time that this tool has been employed for open field analysis in the behavioral assessment of experimental rats. A total of 40 Wistar rats were used in the study, divided into four groups: control group, non-stressed and without endodontic infection (NS); non-stressed animals with endodontic infection (PA); stressed animals without endodontic infection (E); and stressed animals with endodontic infection (E+PA). Animals from groups (E) and (E+PA) were subjected to the unpredictable chronic stress protocol for 6 weeks. Apical periodontitis (PA) was induced in groups (PA) and (E+PA) 21 days after the beginning of the stress protocol. All animals underwent the open field test for behavioral analysis, being recorded by a filming device for 5 minutes, after which their exploratory activity was analyzed. (AU)