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Behaviour and prefrontal protein differences in C57BL/6N and 129 X1/SvJ mice
Xiaofan Zhang1, Qi Li2, Naikei Wong3
1Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China; Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Brain Research Bulletin
|May 25, 2015
Summary
C57BL/6N mice show altered sensorimotor gating and amphetamine response compared to 129X1/SvJ mice. These behavioral and prefrontal cortex protein differences highlight strain-specific utility in preclinical models for neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Preclinical research for neurodevelopmental psychiatric conditions relies on animal models.
- Inter-strain differences in rodents are critical for experimental design.
- Inclusion of both sexes in research is increasingly recognized as essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare behavioral and prefrontal cortex protein differences between C57BL/6N and 129X1/SvJ mouse strains.
- To evaluate the suitability of these strains for modeling neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral testing using the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle paradigm.
- Amphetamine challenge in an open field test.
- Analysis of prefrontal cortex protein expression differences.
Main Results:
- C57BL/6N mice exhibited weaker sensorimotor gating (PPI) and higher amphetamine sensitivity than 129X1/SvJ mice, in both sexes.
- Distinct prefrontal cortex protein expression patterns were observed between the strains.
- Differentially expressed proteins were involved in oxidative metabolism, signaling, and energy pathways.
Conclusions:
- C57BL/6N mice may serve as a valuable model for features of neurodevelopmental disorders and therapeutic screening.
- 129X1/SvJ mice are potentially better suited for studying causal risk factors impacting sensorimotor gating and amphetamine sensitivity.
