 |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
The Journal of Neuroscience, July 23, 2003, 23(16):6423-6433
Previous Article | Next Article
Individual Differences in the Expression of a "General" Learning Ability in Mice
Louis D. Matzel,1 Yu Ray Han,1 Henya Grossman,1 Meghana S. Karnik,1 Dave Patel,1 Nicholas Scott,1 Steven M. Specht,2 andChetan C. Gandhi3 1Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, 2Department of Psychology, Utica College, Utica, New York 13502, and 3Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
Human performance on diverse tests of intellect are impacted by a "general" regulatory factor that accounts for up to 50% of the variance between individuals on intelligence tests. Neurobiological determinants of general cognitive abilities are essentially unknown, owing in part to the paucity of animal research wherein neurobiological analyses are possible. We report a methodology with which we have assessed individual differences in the general learning abilities of laboratory mice. Abilities of mice on tests of associative fear conditioning, operant avoidance, path integration, discrimination, and spatial navigation were assessed. Tasks were designed so that each made unique sensory, motor, motivational, and information processing demands on the animals. A sample of 56 genetically diverse outbred mice (CD-1) was used to assess individuals' acquisition on each task. Indicative of a common source of variance, positive correlations were found between individuals' performance on all tasks. When tested on multiple test batteries, the overall performance ranks of individuals were found to be highly reliable and were "normally" distributed. Factor analysis of learning performance variables determined that a single factor accounted for 38% of the total variance across animals. Animals' levels of native activity and body weights accounted for little of the variability in learning, although animals' propensity for exploration loaded strongly (and was positively correlated) with learning abilities. These results indicate that diverse learning abilities of laboratory mice are influenced by a common source of variance and, moreover, that the general learning abilities of individual mice can be specified relative to a sample of peers.
Key words: intelligence; general intelligence; fluid intelligence; associative learning; memory; spatial learning; emotional learning; learning systems; genetic variation; behavioral phenotypes
Received Dec. 11, 2002; revised Mar. 28, 2003; accepted Apr. 1, 2003.
This article has been cited by other articles:
S. Kolata, J. Wu, K. Light, M. Schachner, and L. D. Matzel
Impaired Working Memory Duration But Normal Learning Abilities Found in Mice That Are Conditionally Deficient in the Close Homolog of L1
J. Neurosci., December 10, 2008; 28(50): 13505 - 13510.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
L. D. Matzel, H. Grossman, K. Light, D. Townsend, and S. Kolata
Age-related declines in general cognitive abilities of Balb/C mice are associated with disparities in working memory, body weight, and general activity
Learn. Mem., October 2, 2008; 15(10): 733 - 746.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
D. A. Blizard, A. Takahashi, M. J. Galsworthy, B. Martin, and T. Koide
Test standardization in behavioural neuroscience: a response to Stanford
J Psychopharmacol, March 1, 2007; 21(2): 136 - 139.
[PDF]
S. Kolata, K. Light, H. C. Grossman, G. Hale, and L. D. Matzel
Selective attention is a primary determinant of the relationship between working memory and general learning ability in outbred mice
Learn. Mem., January 1, 2007; 14(1-2): 22 - 28.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
R. Scheiner, A. Kuritz-Kaiser, R. Menzel, and J. Erber
Sensory responsiveness and the effects of equal subjective rewards on tactile learning and memory of honeybees
Learn. Mem., November 1, 2005; 12(6): 626 - 635.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|