Light phase testing of social behaviors: not a problem.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior
• Behavioral Genetics

Background:

• Mouse models are crucial for studying neurodevelopmental disorders with social deficits.
• Mice are naturally nocturnal, raising questions about the validity of light phase behavioral testing.
• Current research lacks consensus on whether testing phase impacts mouse social behavior studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review mouse social behaviors measured in both light and dark phases.
• To provide evidence supporting the reliability of light phase testing for mouse social behavior.
• To address methodological considerations in behavioral experiments with laboratory mice.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies measuring mouse social behaviors in light and dark phases.
• Analysis of a recent study comparing social scores from inbred mice tested in both phases.
• Evaluation of the impact of testing phase on sociability test results.

Main Results:

• A recent study demonstrated remarkably similar social scores in mice tested during light and dark phases.
• Evidence suggests light phase testing yields results as robust as dark phase testing for sociability.
• The review synthesizes findings on mouse social behaviors across different testing conditions.

Conclusions:

• Light phase testing is a reasonable and reliable method for experimental social tasks in laboratory mice.
• Flexible testing schedules can be adopted without compromising data integrity for sociability studies.
• This supports broader applicability and efficiency in mouse model research for neurodevelopmental disorders.