Effect of prolonged isolation on learning, biogenic amine turnover and aggressive behaviour in three strains of mice

Effect of <i>p</i>-Chlorophenylalanine on Avoidance Learning of Two Differentially Housed Mouse Strains

“…3). In fact this result, which is in agree ment with similar findings by others (Goldberg et al, 1973), conflicts with previous data from this laboratory ( Valzelli et al, 1977). However, in DBA mice the dose of lOOmg/kg of PCPA did not consistently modify the avoidance learning performance of either isolated or grouped animals ( fig.…”

“…In con trast to Albino Swiss mice, the DBA strain rapidly learns an active avoidance task and per forms it correctly at a very high level. In addi tion, DBA mice have been reported to show no changes either of brain 5-HT turnover or of learning ability after prolonged isolation (Goldberg et al, 1973).…”

An experimental geneticist looks at catecholamine metabolism

“…Other animals form an important part of the environment of an individual: isolation from individuals of the same kind produced changes in the turnover of brain noradrenaline in some strains but not in others (Goldberg et al 1973). Similarly, the behaviour shown by a mouse when another mouse is placed in its cage will depend on the strain of the intruder mouse and on its sex, both environmental variables from the point of view of the home mouse, as well as on the home mouse's own genotype.…”