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Maudsley reactive and non-reactive rats differ in exploratory behavior but not in learning
W H Berrettini1, N Harris, T N Ferraro
1Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Psychiatric Genetics
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Maudsley reactive rats show inhibited exploratory behavior across multiple tests, but not significant learning deficits. This consistent exploratory difference is valuable for genetic research into anxiety disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Animal Models
Background:
- Maudsley reactive (MR) and Maudsley non-reactive (MNR) rat strains were developed as models of anxiety based on open field behavior.
- Previous research indicated characteristic open field behaviors and learning deficits in MR rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if MR rats' characteristic behaviors extend to other exploratory and learning paradigms.
- To assess the generalizability of behavioral differences between MR and MNR rat strains.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the staircase test for exploratory behavior.
- Employed the T-maze swim test for learning assessment.
- Compared behavioral responses of MR and MNR rat strains in these paradigms.
Main Results:
- MR rats exhibited significant and stable differences in exploratory behavior on the staircase test compared to MNR rats.
- No large or stable learning differences were observed between MR and MNR rats in conditioned avoidance or T-maze swim tests.
Conclusions:
- MR rats display inhibited exploratory behavior across various paradigms, but learning deficits are not a primary feature.
- The consistent exploratory behavior differences make MR rats suitable for quantitative trait loci analysis to identify genes related to anxiety.
- Identifying these genes may offer insights into the genetic basis of human anxiety disorders.