A novel operant task to assess social reward and motivation in rodents.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social reward plays a critical role in the development of beneficial social relationships, and disorders of the mechanisms controlling social reward are involved in the etiology of many psychiatric diseases.

New method

We present a novel operant social preference task to quantify social reward in rodents using an apparatus with three chambers separated by one-way vertical-swing doors. The experimental animal is placed in the larger chamber while the two smaller chambers either remain empty or contain a stimulus animal or other potential reward stimulus. Adding weights to the door can alter effort required for rewards.

Results

Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) entered the chamber containing a stimulus hamster significantly more frequently than an empty chamber

SUBMITTER: Borland JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7093839 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature