Examining The Effects of Social Reintroduction on Neuropathology Developed in 129 Mice on Account of Social Isolation
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The presence of socialization amongst several species has proven to be not only be prevalent in the daily workings of neurological and behavioral processes, but also crucial. Both humans and mice alike are identified as social species due to their proclivity towards collective intraspecies involvement. Conversely, the upheaval of this social engagement has been suggested to result in detriments towards proper behavioral and thus neurological performance. This study investigated the neurobehavioral effects of different social conditions in mice models, consisting of continually isolated, continually group-housed, and socially reintroduced mice groups. Mice in these different conditions were tested by means of thorough behavioral analyses with histological analyses conducted at the study’s close to determine the presence of any subsequent neuropathology developed on account of social isolation, and/or any potential alleviation provided by social reintroduction. The majority of the behavioral results in this study did not yield statistical significance, though mice in the social conditions (both group-housed and socially reintroduced), on average, were observed to perform better than their socially isolated counterparts. Additionally, the results which did prove statistically significant at the 12-week period, namely the Open Field, and Circadian Rhythm tests, were in line with our previous isolation study results suggesting that isolation leads to heightened anxiety and disturbed circadian activity. The significant results from the Elevated Zero Maze at the 20-week period may suggest that the provision of social opportunity at least enables higher protections against deficits in anxiety-related behaviors. Significant results for sex in the EZM test may also suggest a sex-based influence in regards to the aforementioned behaviors.