Early Experience and Basal Ganglia Function in Deer Mice (Peromyscus Maniculatus)
Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Harley, Heidi
Keywords
Basal Ganglia, Learning, Memory, Addiction, Drugs, Drug Abuse, Stereotypy, Stress, Hippocumpus, Spatial Learning, Motor Learning
Area of Concentration
Psychology
Abstract
Early experience affects basal ganglia-mediated behavior in many species. In this study two early-life manipulations were used to evaluate the effects that early experiences can have on basal ganglia-mediated behaviors in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). One pre-weaning manipulation involved brief separation of neonatal pups from their mother for 15 minutes a day, thereby positively altering pup-dam interactions. The second, postweaning manipulation involved environmental enrichment, a method of increasing spatial density, social density, novelty, and opportunity for species-typical behaviors. The presence and absence of these manipulations led to the creation of four experimental groups. There were three behavioral outcome measures: stereotypy, navigational maze learning, and amphetamine self-administration. No differences were found among groups for either stereotypy or amphetamine self-administration. However, enriched mice exhibited more correct initial turns, a faster latency to reach a reward in the maze, and an increased preference for procedural learning, compared to standard caged mice. In addition, standard cage mice that displayed higher stereotypy performed worse in maze training, and poor maze performers consumed more amphetamine. Standard laboratory caging, a deprived environment, may generate more mice with basal ganglia-related behavioral dysfunctions.
Recommended Citation
Lewis, John Benjamin, "Early Experience and Basal Ganglia Function in Deer Mice (Peromyscus Maniculatus)" (2004). Theses & ETDs. 3410.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3410
Rights
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