Evidence for a relationship between cage stereotypies and behavioural disinhibition in laboratory rodents
Cage stereotypies—abnormal, repetitive, unvarying and apparently functionless behaviours—are common in many captive animals, sometimes resulting in self-injury or decreased reproductive success. However, a general mechanistic or neurophysiological understanding of cage stereotypies has proved elusive. In contrast, stereotypies in human mental disorder, or those induced by drugs or brain lesions, are well understood, and are thought […]
Examining the genetic and neural components of cognitive flexibility using mice
This commentary summarizes the research presented during the symposium “Examining the genetic and neural components of cognitive flexibility using mice” at the annual meeting of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society 2011. Research presented includes examining: 1) Corticostriatal networks underlying reversal learning using GluN2B knockout mice, cFos expression, and in vivo electrophysiological recording; 2) Cerebellar contribution […]