Construct Validity and Cross Validity of a Test Battery Modeling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Modeling psychiatric disorders in species like mice is vital for understanding gene-behavior associations.
• Current mouse models for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) lack validated behavioral assessment batteries.
• Establishing construct validity is crucial for reliable ASD research in animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform the first factor analysis on a behavioral model of ASD-like symptoms in mice.
• To empirically validate a mouse behavioral testing battery against DSM-5 criteria for ASD.
• To assess the reliability and discriminant validity of the proposed ASD behavioral measures.

Main Methods:

• Defined fourteen mouse-behavior measures aligned with DSM-5 ASD diagnostic criteria.
• Conducted factor analysis on data from sixty-five mice across a heterogeneous pool of genotypes.
• Performed empirical validation using mice with TSHZ3 haplo-insufficiency, a gene linked to ASD.

Main Results:

• Reliability coefficients for the measures ranged from .68 to .81.
• Factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution: social behavior, stereotypy, and narrowness of interest.
• The validated model demonstrated discriminant power, effectively distinguishing ASD-related genetic variations.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the first factor analysis and empirical validation for a mouse model of ASD-like behaviors.
• The developed behavioral battery demonstrates construct validity aligned with DSM-5 criteria.
• This validated model serves as a robust tool for investigating the genetic underpinnings of ASD.