ERIC Number: EJ1004107
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jun
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Brief Report: Altered Social Behavior in Isolation-Reared "Fmr1" Knockout Mice
Heitzer, Andrew M.; Roth, Alexandra K.; Nawrocki, Lauren; Wrenn, Craige C.; Valdovinos, Maria G.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v43 n6 p1452-1458 Jun 2013
Social behavior abnormalities in Fragile X syndrome (FXS) are characterized by social withdrawal, anxiety, and deficits in social cognition. To assess these deficits, a model of FXS, the "Fmr1" knockout mouse ("Fmr1" KO), has been utilized. This mouse model has a null mutation in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene ("Fmr1") and displays physical and behavioral characteristics similar to humans with FXS. Several studies have investigated the social behavior of this model, but the results on the behavioral phenotype have not been consistent. In order to further characterize the social behavior in the knockout, isolation-reared "Fmr1" KO were evaluated to determine if they differ in their social behavior compared to wild-type littermate controls. Differences by genotype were not observed in social approach behavior; however, the knockout mice showed a significantly reduced preference for social novelty and decreased sniff time in the sociability phase. These findings add to the growing body of knowledge on the subtle differences in social behavior shown by the "Fmr1" knockout mice, and that differences occur when the subjects are isolation-reared. Validity of the model and possible changes to methodology are discussed.
Descriptors: Social Behavior, Animals, Novelty (Stimulus Dimension), Social Cognition, Genetic Disorders, Mental Retardation, Animal Behavior, Withdrawal (Psychology)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A