Distinguished Lecture
Abstract
Behavioral phenotyping of rodent models of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders is designed to understand biological causes and to evaluate potential threapeutics. Methods for successful behavioral assays in mice will be presented, with emphasis on experimental design, replication, and appropriate controls. Examples from genetic mouse models of autism spectrum disorder and of Fragile X syndrome will illustrate cognitive, social, anxiety-related, sensory and motor tests. Promising preclinical results from pharmacological interventions highlight translational applications, which are leading to human clinical trials.
Her sole authored book, What's Wrong With My Mouse? Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout Mice, is widely used by the biomedical research community.