Validation of operant social motivation paradigms using BTBR T+tf/J and C57BL/6J inbred mouse strains.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As purported causal factors are identified for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), new assays are needed to better phenotype animal models designed to explore these factors. With recent evidence suggesting that deficits in social motivation are at the core of ASD behavior, the development of quantitative measures of social motivation is particularly important. The goal of our study was to develop and validate novel assays to quantitatively measure social motivation in mice.

Methods

In order to test the validity of our paradigms, we compared the BTBR strain, with documented social deficits, to the prosocial C57BL/6J strain. Two novel conditioning paradigms were developed that allowed the test mouse to control access to a social partner. In the social motivation task, t

SUBMITTER: Martin L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4188367 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature