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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
07:43
Quantifying Social Motivation in Mice Using Operant Conditioning
Published on: August 8, 2015
Post-weaning social isolation increases reward-seeking behavior in mice
Michael Noback1, Zehra A Husaini1, Thomas van Kralingen2
1Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Physiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|July 4, 2026
Summary
Adolescent social isolation (SI) in mice improved cognitive task performance and increased motivation for rewards in adulthood. These findings suggest SI impacts adult reward-seeking behavior and may model links to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Social isolation (SI) during adolescence poses a significant public health concern.
- Adolescent brain development is critical, and isolation during this period may impair cognitive function and increase later-life psychiatric illness risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of adolescent social isolation (SI) on cognitive function and reward-seeking behavior in adult mice.
- To establish a behavioral model for studying the link between adolescent SI and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Adolescent mice (postnatal day 21-35) were subjected to social isolation (SI) or group housing.
- Adult mice performance was assessed using a touchscreen-based continuous performance test (rCPT) and fixed ratio/progressive ratio (FR/PR) reinforcement schedules.
- Behavioral outcomes including task performance, reaction times, reward retrieval latencies, motivation, and reinforcement schedules were analyzed.
Main Results:
- SI mice demonstrated improved performance on the rCPT compared to group-housed controls.
- No significant differences were observed in reaction times or reward retrieval latencies.
- SI mice exhibited higher breakpoints on a progressive ratio (PR4) schedule and earned more reinforcers on a fixed ratio (FR1) schedule, indicating increased motivation for rewards.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent social isolation significantly alters reward-seeking behavior and cognitive performance in adult mice.
- The observed changes suggest that adolescent SI may increase motivation for rewards, potentially contributing to neuropsychiatric risks.
- This mouse model offers a valuable tool for further research into the neurobiological mechanisms connecting social isolation and mental health disorders.
