Isolation rearing of mice induces deficits in prepulse inhibition of the startle response.
Male 129T2 and C57BL/6J mice were housed either in groups of three (socials) or singly (isolates) at weaning. Six and seven weeks later, prepulse inhibition (PPI), startle reactivity, and locomotor activity (LMA) were measured. Isolation-reared mice of both strains exhibited PPI deficits compared to socially reared controls in at least one of the two PPI test sessions. Isolation rearing had no effect on startle reactivity or habituation and only 129T2 isolates exhibited increased LMA. Isolation rearing induced locomotor hyperactivity and PPI deficits in mice and may be an effective developmental manipulation to use in combination with studies of genetically altered mice.
Varty
Geoffrey B
GB
Department of Neurobiology, Schering-Plough Research Institute, 2015 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
Powell
Susan B
SB
Lehmann-Masten
Virginia
V
Buell
Mahalah R
MR
Geyer
Mark A
MA
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D023421:Models, Animal; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*; D012934:Social Isolation; D013045:Species Specificity