Author

E. J. Marijke Achterberg

Utrecht UniversityORCID 0000-0002-7991-1514Unclaimed ORCID profile · follow to get notified of new preprints

Biology Disciplines

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Animal Behavior & Cognition· 2 Neuroscience· 1

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Approach:experimental assay· 3 Organism:rat· 3 Assay:behavioral assay· 1 Research Focus:cell signaling & trafficking· 1 Research Focus:development & morphogenesis· 1 Research Focus:host-pathogen & immune response· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Heidi M. B. LesscheriD· 2 shared Annemarie M. Baars· 1 shared Ate BijlsmaiD· 1 shared Christian KeysersiD· 1 shared Corette J. WierengaiD· 1 shared Emel Souiki· 1 shared Evelien E. BirzaiD· 1 shared Frank Julius MeyeiD· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2024-2026 · peak 1/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 17 mutual co-author links

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2 shared papersAnimal Behavior & Cognition

Heidi M. B. LesscherORCID

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3 papers

Recent·Most cited

Animal Behavior & CognitionbioRxivPreprintOct 30, 2026

Characterizing risky play-like behaviour in juvenile versus young adult rats

Emel Souiki, Jason Getty, Shani Maggioncaldasacerdote…·Heidi M. B. Lesscher

This study identifies and quantifies risky play-like behaviour in juvenile and young adult rats using ethological frameworks to assess developmental changes in engagement with elevated and unstable environments.

DOI 10.64898/2026.10.29.757313

ratexperimental assay

𝕏 PostBluesky

Animal Behavior & CognitionbioRxivPreprintDec 31, 2025

Heightened Play following Play Observation in the Absence of 22KHz Calls in Juvenile Rats

Frédéric Michon, E. J. Marijke Achterberg, Lena V. Kaufmann…·Christian Keysers

This study investigates positive emotional contagion in juvenile rats through play observation, finding increased play behavior after observing playful demonstrators without 22 kHz calls.

DOI 10.64898/2025.12.31.697143

ratbehavioral assay

𝕏 PostBluesky

NeuroscienceEuropean Journal of NeurosciencePeer-reviewedMar 21, 2024

Opportunities for risk-taking during play alters cognitive performance and prefrontal inhibitory signalling in rats of both sexes

Ate Bijlsma, Evelien E. Birza, Tara C. Pimentel…·Louk J. M. J. Vanderschuren

This study shows that high-risk play during development affects cognitive flexibility, emotional behavior, and prefrontal inhibitory signaling in rats, with sex-specific effects.

9 citations

ratexperimental assay

𝕏 PostBluesky