Hi Simon

Behavioral tests, such as open field exploration test, assess the behavioral output of experimental mice. Generally speaking, this behavior is a result of specific brain regions and neural circuits activation. For example learning and memory, as assess by Morris water maze, is mainly related to the hippocampus, while anxiety-like behavior can be assessed by open-field exploration test, and this can be related in part to the activity of the amygdala, for example. 

Now, in case you see abnormal behavior (in your case, abnormal exploration pattern in the open-field), it can be the result of many things, such as abnormalities in connectivity between brain regions associated with the behavioral task, abnormal genes expression that affect the functionality of the brain region, impaired development of the brain region, synaptic dysfunction (as you asked), and many more.

The direct (!) link between behavioral outcomes and synaptic dysfunction can not be directly identified in a behavioral test, so my short answer to you is that, no, it is impossible.

You can use behavioral tests to focus your research on specific brain regions that are known to govern the behavior measured, and then characterize these regions and manipulate them, to assess their synaptic transmission properties. But to learn directly on synaptic dysfunction from an open field exploration test it is impossible.

Best

Boaz

Yeah, maybe, if there are published and accepted data in the literature proving the relationship between the synaptic dysfunction and the locomotor activity and/or anxiety. Neurodegenerative diseases could have clear behavioral symptoms, e.g. Huntington disease, Repetitive hyperactive movements.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12031-010-9408-z