Life history, serotonin transporter genotype and anxiety-like behaviour: testing the "coping-with-challenge hypothesis" (A01)

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The project aims at investigating the interplay between genetic factors and experiences throughout lifetime in shaping the anxiety-like phenotype. In three consecutive experiments, the "coping-with-challenge hypothesis" will be tested that posits: Coping with adversity has beneficial effects on the anxious profile when following positive experiences earlier in life. For this purpose an established model of anxiety - mice varying in serotonin transporter genotype - will be studied using methods from behavioural biology, cognitive psychology and molecular genetics.