The Dark–Light Box test is a widely used behavioral assay to evaluate anxiety-like behavior in rodents. It is based on the natural aversion of rodents to brightly illuminated areas and their spontaneous exploratory drive. The apparatus consists of two compartments: a dark, enclosed chamber and a brightly lit, open chamber connected by a small opening. Anxious animals tend to spend more time in the dark compartment, while less anxious animals explore the light area more frequently. Common measures include time spent in each compartment, number of transitions, and latency to enter the light side, reflecting anxiety-related responses and exploratory behavior.

 

Clever Sys’s automated Dark-Light Box solution uses high‑resolution video tracking and AI-based behavior recognition to capture detailed paths, head-dipping and other related behaviors, . This fully automated workflow removes observer bias, increases throughput, and delivers reproducible, publication-ready data. Integrated analytics help preclinical teams rapidly quantify treatment effects and compare cohorts with confidence.