Mouse Behavior Phenotyping Core

MOUSE BEHAVIORAL PHENOTYPING CORE – PROJECT SUMMARY The COBRE in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Core (MBPC) provides equipment, expertise, and training to NDD investigators integrating mouse behavioral assessment into their research programs. The core provides support for investigators at all points in their studies, including consultations on appropriate animal models, husbandry training (genotyping, breeding), designing and running experiments, data analysis, display, and interpretation. The goal of the MBPC is to maintain and expand the use of behavior assays with relevance to NDD, provide technical expertise in the use of multiple mouse behavior paradigms, and remove barriers to entry and provide detailed training for COBRE investigators interested in using mouse behavior methods in their studies. The MBPC houses an array of behavioral apparatuses that allow for phenotyping of motor, mood, learning and memory, social, and other NDD-relevant phenotypes. This includes 1) assessment of ambulatory, rearing, and stereotypy behaviors using open fields, locomotor chambers with multi-level IR-beam arrays, rotorods, and balance beam; 2) multiple anxiety assays (elevated plus, open field, marble burying, light/dark box) and mood-related tests (sucrose preference, forced swim test, tube test, novelty preference) and 5-choice serial reaction time testing for impulsivity; 3) assays designed to test working, short, and long-term memory including Barnes maze, T-maze, fear conditioning, fear potentiated startle, sucrose self- administration; 4) social assays including social interaction and preference in open field and 3-chamber variations, USV communication assays for distress and social calls in pups and adults. In addition, the MBPC proposes to expand offerings to include EEG and telemetry monitoring to provide information on sleep, seizure, and other physiological measures and advanced behavior analysis using AI-assisted pose estimation and motif identification. In addition to providing training and access to available equipment, NDD investigators also have the option for studies to be run by the MBPC animal technician. To achieve the stated objectives, the MBPC will be composed of three aims as follows: 1) Maintain, expand, and develop behavior assays with relevance to NDD, 2) Provide access to expert technical assistance to design, conduct, and analyze mouse behavior assays, and 3) Support and mentor Junior Investigators and CNDD members as they develop and integrate mouse behavior models into their research programs.