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Inbred strain variation in contextual and cued fear conditioning behavior
V J Bolivar1, O Pooler, L Flaherty
1Genomics Institute, Wadsworth Center, and the Department of Biomedical Sciences, 120 New Scotland Avenue, P.O. Box 22002, University at Albany, Albany, New York 12201-2002, USA.
Summary
This study used an automated system to measure fear conditioning in various mouse strains, revealing significant differences between strains and sexes. Vision plays a minimal role in this automated fear conditioning paradigm.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Fear conditioning is a fundamental learning process.
- Inbred mouse strains exhibit genetic variability influencing behavior.
- Automated systems offer precise and efficient behavioral assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate fear conditioning across multiple inbred mouse strains using an automated system.
- To investigate the influence of sex on fear conditioning responses.
- To determine the role of vision in this fear conditioning paradigm.
Main Methods:
- An automated computer-controlled system was employed for fear conditioning.
- Eight common inbred mouse strains (129, A, BALB, C3H, B6, CBA, D2, FVB) were tested.
- Response to shock and fear conditioning (24h post-training) were measured; vision effects assessed using C3H mice with and without retinal degeneration.
Main Results:
- Significant strain and sex differences in fear conditioning were observed.
- Vision was found to have a minimal impact on the fear conditioning response in this paradigm.
- The automated system demonstrated reliability through control studies.
Conclusions:
- Automated fear conditioning allows for rapid screening of numerous mice, beneficial for genetic studies like mutagenesis.
- Inbred mouse strain selection and sex are critical factors influencing fear conditioning outcomes.
- This automated approach provides a robust platform for studying the neurobiological basis of fear learning.