title: Hybridizing behavioral models: a possible solution to some problems in neurophenotyping research?
abstract: The use of batteries of single-domain tests for neurophenotyping research is a common strategy to achieve higher data density and explore different behavioral domains. This approach, however, is accompanied by several methodological challenges, briefly discussed here. As an alternative, this paper advocates the wider use of extensive "hybrid" protocols that assess multiple domains in parallel, or logically/logistically combine experimental paradigms, in a way that disproportionately maximizes the number of tested phenotypes per experimental manipulation. Several examples of this approach are given in this paper, demonstrating the potential to reduce time, cost and subject requirements for the experiments. Offering behavioral analyses that are lacking in the standard single-domain tests, such "hybrid" models enable innovative modeling of neuropsychiatric disorders by more thorough and broader investigation of complex phenotypical characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1264, USA. kalueva@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Allan V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kalueff
authors.forename: Justin L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: LaPorte
authors.forename: Dennis L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sufka
mesh_terms: D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D010641:Phenotype; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions