Genetic dissection of behavioral flexibility: reversal learning in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Behavioral inflexibility is a feature of schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and behavior addictions that likely results from heritable deficits in the inhibitory control over behavior. Here, we investigate the genetic basis of individual differences in flexibility, measured using an operant reversal learning task.

Methods

We quantified discrimination acquisition and subsequent reversal learning in a cohort of 51 BXD strains of mice (2-5 mice/strain, n = 176) for which we have matched data on sequence, gene expression in key central nervous system regions, and neuroreceptor levels.

Results

Strain variation in trials to criterion on acquisition and reversal was high, with moderate heritability (∼.3). Acquisition and reversal learning phe

SUBMITTER: Laughlin RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3090526 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature