An integrated system for monitoring operant conditioned behavior in mice.

描述（由申请人提供）：塔夫茨动物行为核心（ABC）设施是为塔夫茨大学和大波士顿科学界的神经科学家提供服务的宝贵资源。来自11个机构44个不同实验室的调查人员利用了ABC，说明了它作为区域资源的重要性。ABC由NINDS中心向塔夫茨神经科学研究中心（CNR; P30 NS047243）提供核心资助。ABC的使命是为研究人员提供资源，以评估分子、遗传和神经药理学操作的行为后果，以确定治疗中枢神经系统疾病的治疗靶点。这个

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Tufts Animal Behavioral Core (ABC) facility is a valued resource that serves neuroscientists within Tufts University and the greater Boston scientific community. Investigators from 44 different laboratories across 11 institutions have taken advantage of the ABC, illustrating its significance as a regional resource. The ABC is supported by a NINDS center core grant to the Tufts Center for Neuroscience Research (CNR; P30 NS047243). The ABC's mission is to provide investigators the resources for evaluating the behavioral consequences of molecular, genetic, and neuropharmacological manipulations with the intention of identifying therapeutic targets for treating central nervous system disorders. The ABC provides local scientists with the equipment, training, and expertise not otherwise available for behavioral testing. In order to ensure the continuation of innovative research among NIH-funded neuroscience investigators, we are requesting one-time equipment funding to purchase a state-of-the-art behavior analysis system for the study of cognition, motivation, anxiety and affect, and drug abuse in mice. The ABC does not currently have the equipment to make operant conditioning methodology available to the research community. Implementing this technique is a logical extension of existing resources and would considerably strengthen the capabilities of investigators using mouse behavior as a scientific endpoint. At present, there are eight neuroscience investigators who will use the operant behavior system. The requested funds would allow for the purchase of an operant conditioning system complete with computers, software, and 16 test chambers equipped with touchscreen response panels designed to assess mouse behaviors relevant to all domains within the neuropsychiatric spectrum, ranging from cognitive deficits and affective disorders to motivation and addiction. Importantly, many of the operant behavior tasks used in animals have analogous versions in the clinical laboratory, exemplifying its high translational value. Data collection is fully automated, thus allowing quantitative and objective behavioral measurements while eliminating observer bias and handling stress. The new equipment will be maintained by the CNR, which provides administrative and financial support for the ABC.