title: Validation of operant social motivation paradigms using BTBR T+tf/J and C57BL/6J inbred mouse strains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As purported causal factors are identified for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), new assays are needed to better phenotype animal models designed to explore these factors. With recent evidence suggesting that deficits in social motivation are at the core of ASD behavior, the development of quantitative measures of social motivation is particularly important. The goal of our study was to develop and validate novel assays to quantitatively measure social motivation in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to test the validity of our paradigms, we compared the BTBR strain, with documented social deficits, to the prosocial C57BL/6J strain. Two novel conditioning paradigms were developed that allowed the test mouse to control access to a social partner. In the social motivation task, the test mice lever pressed for a social reward. The reward contingency was set on a progressive ratio of reinforcement and the number of lever presses achieved in the final trial of a testing session (breakpoint) was used as an index of social motivation. In the valence comparison task, motivation for a food reward was compared to a social reward. We also explored activity, social affiliation, and preference for social novelty through a series of tasks using an ANY-Maze video-tracking system in an open-field arena.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BTBR mice had significantly lower breakpoints in the social motivation paradigm than C57BL/6J mice. However, the valence comparison task revealed that BTBR mice also made significantly fewer lever presses for a food reward.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the conditioning paradigms suggest that the BTBR strain has an overall deficit in motivated behavior. Furthermore, the results of the open-field observations may suggest that social differences in the BTBR strain are anxiety induced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate Psychology, Azusa Pacific University 901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, 91702, California.
authors.forename: Loren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate Psychology, Azusa Pacific University 901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, 91702, California.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sample
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate Psychology, Azusa Pacific University 901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, 91702, California.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gregg
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate Psychology, Azusa Pacific University 901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, 91702, California.
authors.forename: Caleb
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005502:Food; D018782:Maze Learning; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009042:Motivation; D012201:Reward; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: Autism; behavior; mouse; open field; progressive ratio; three-chamber task; valence