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Published on: March 4, 2014
Hand-preference training in the mouse reveals key elements of its learning and memory process and resolves the
Fred G Biddle1, Brenda A Eales
1Department of Medical Genetics, Population Genomics Research Group, Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada. fgbiddle@ucalgary.ca
Genome
|August 29, 2006
Summary
Mouse handedness reveals complex learning and memory processes. Kinetic analysis identified two key parameters, "capacity" and "ability," explaining genetic variations in this behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Mouse handedness exhibits conditional (learned) and innate (constitutive) behaviors.
- Genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic complexity exist in mouse hand preference.
- Constitutive hand preference in hybrids shows both recessive and dominant forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To resolve genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic complexity of mouse handedness using kinetic parameters.
- To analyze the fundamental learning and memory processes underlying mouse hand preference.
- To investigate the genetic basis of constitutive hand preference (recessive/dominant forms).
Main Methods:
- Detailed kinetic analysis of hand-preference training in the C57BL/6J mouse strain.
- Documentation of memory consolidation, protein synthesis inhibition effects, and memory retention.
- Quantification of learning speed using 'capacity' and 'ability' parameters.
Main Results:
- Identified key elements of learning and long-term memory, including consolidation and retention.
- Demonstrated that learning speed is defined by 'capacity' (max learned preference) and 'ability' (reaches for half capacity).
- Showed that recessive and dominant constitutive hand preference may result from loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Kinetic parameters ('capacity' and 'ability') provide a quantitative method to study mouse handedness.
- These parameters can differentiate genetic variations influencing learning and memory in mouse behavior.
- The study offers empirical evidence for how genes and environment shape the phenotypic complexity of mouse hand preference.
