Methods for Assessing Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Mice: A Critical Review of Behavioral Tests and Methodological...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior Research
• Psychiatric Research

Background:

• Neurobehavioral tests in rodents are crucial for modeling human neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (NDDs).
• Existing tests assess various behaviors including social interaction, repetitive behaviors, cognition, sensory processing, anxiety, and motor coordination.
• These models aim to replicate autistic-like behavior and other NDDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and critically evaluate neurobehavioral tests used in animal models of human NDDs.
• To identify common pitfalls and potential errors in the performance and interpretation of these tests.
• To emphasize the importance of reliable testing, scoring systems, and consideration of gender differences for accurate NDD modeling.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of established neurobehavioral tests for animal models of NDDs.
• Analysis of potential sources of error in test administration and data interpretation.
• Discussion of best practices for enhancing the reliability and validity of NDD animal models.

Main Results:

• Identified specific tests for social behavior, repetitive behaviors, cognitive impairment, sensory stimuli, anxiety-like behavior, and motor coordination.
• Highlighted general and specific pitfalls that can compromise the reliability of NDD animal models.
• Stressed the need for comprehensive testing batteries and validated scoring systems.

Conclusions:

• Minimizing pitfalls in neurobehavioral testing is essential for the reliable assessment of NDD animal models.
• Utilizing sufficient, reliable tests with scoring systems can improve the accuracy of NDD severity grading.
• Future research should consider gender differences in NDD presentations and incorporate both male and female subjects.