Automated three-chambered social approach task for mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science
• Animal Models

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social interaction deficits, communication impairments, and restricted interests.
• Mouse models are crucial for studying ASD, and social approach behaviors in mice have high face validity to human social behaviors.
• Existing methods for assessing mouse sociability can be time-consuming and lack standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a standardized, high-throughput protocol for assaying mouse sociability using a three-chambered social approach task.
• To provide a reliable method for quantifying direct social approach behaviors in mice.
• To facilitate research into the neurobiological underpinnings of social deficits relevant to autism.

Main Methods:

• An automated three-chambered apparatus was utilized to test subject mice.
• Subject mice were presented with a choice between interacting with a novel mouse or a novel object.
• Sociability was quantified by measuring the time spent in the chamber with the novel mouse versus the novel object.

Main Results:

• The protocol provides a standardized method for high-throughput assessment of mouse sociability.
• The automated task reliably quantifies direct social approach behaviors.
• The time spent with a novel mouse compared to a novel object serves as a measure of sociability.

Conclusions:

• The three-chambered social approach task is a valuable tool for studying mouse sociability.
• This standardized protocol can aid in the high-throughput screening of potential autism therapies.
• This method enhances the study of social behaviors in animal models relevant to autism spectrum disorder.