What's Wrong with My Mouse?: Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout Mice

Rating:
Summary: Valuable Book
Review: "...this valuable book is currently the most complete overview of behavioral procedures available...it is a must have and a must read book..." (Genes, Brain, and Behavior, 2002)

Rating:
Summary: Essential Book
Review: "I would recommend that every behavioral scientist has at least two copies, one for their own use and one that will be on permanent loan to their students, post-doctoral students and colleagues in molecular biology." -- TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences (Gerard R. Dawson, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories)

Rating:
Summary: Expert Review
Review: "[T]his volume succeeds as a useful introduction to the realm of behavioral phenotyping for those interested in creating or using the large and increasing number of promising targeted mutant mice." -- TRENDS in Neurosciences (John K. Belknap, Oregon Health Sciences University)

Rating:
Summary: Essential Book
Review: "I would recommend that every behavioral scientist has at least two copies, one for their own use and one that will be on permanent loan to their students, post-doctoral students and colleagues in molecular biology." -- TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences (Gerard R. Dawson, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories)

Rating:
Summary: Expert Review
Review: "This timely book enumerates and describes practically all tests currently used to evaluate mouse behavior. It is a very valuable resource for both beginning and experienced researchers in this field." --Wim E. Crusio, CNRS

Rating:
Summary: Expert Review
Review: "[T]his volume succeeds as a useful introduction to the realm of behavioral phenotyping for those interested in creating or using the large and increasing number of promising targeted mutant mice." -- TRENDS in Neurosciences (John K. Belknap, Oregon Health Sciences University)

Rating:
Summary: Review
Review: It is a much prized addition... and fulfills a heretofore unmet need for a comprehensive sourcebook of mutant mouse literature and procedures. In addition to its reference utility, Dr. Crawley's text can exert a valuable influence on the future of transgenic and knockout mouse research by standardizing behavioral phenotyping methods according to the present state-of-the-art. --Stephen C. Heinrichs, Ph.D., Boston College

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Summary: Author's preface
Review: Targeted mutation of genes expressed in the nervous system is an exciting new research tool that is forging a remarkable amalgam of molecular genetics and behavioral neuroscience. Our behavioral neuroscience research laboratory has been the fortunate recipient of visits from many molecular geneticists over the past six years, who come to ask, "What's wrong with my mouse? Can you tell us what behaviors are abnormal in our null mutants? And how do you measure behavior, anyway?"

In the same conversations, molecular geneticists frequently ask for a book they can consult to learn more about behavioral tests for mice. "What's Wrong With My Mouse? Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout Mice" is written for these pioneering molecular geneticists, and for their talented students and postdoctoral fellows. Chapters focus on specific behavioral domains, including general health, neurological reflexes, developmental milestones, motor functions, sensory abilities, learning and memory, feeding, sexual behaviors, parental behaviors, social behaviors, aggression, stress, anxiety, reward, drug addiction, and animal models of symptoms of neuropsychiatric diseases. History and current hypotheses for each behavioral domain are explicated briefly. Behavioral tests are described in detail, including representative data and photographs of test equipment. Descriptions are designed to introduce the novice to the variety of tests available. Extensive references to primary literature and review papers are listed. Sources of commercially available equipment, and suggestions for good behavioral neuroscience collaborators, are offered.

Behavioral neuroscientists beginning to phenotype a new transgenic or knockout may benefit from chapters describing the targeted gene mutation technology, and addressing experimental design for analyzing behavioral phenotypes of mutant mice. What are the best combinations of behavioral tests for each specific hypothesis? Which methods work best for mice? Which rat tasks can be adapted for mice? What are the correct controls? What are the hidden pitfalls, lurking artifacts, false positives, and false negatives? Which statistical tests are most sensitive for detection of the genotype effect? What is the minimum number of animals necessary for each genotype, gender, and age? How are issues of background genes best addressed?

The final chapter, The Next Generation, provides a perspective on future applications of the targeted gene mutation technology. Transgenic and knockout mice offer a precise system to evaluate treatments for human genetic diseases. Inducible, conditional mutations promise a tremendously powerful approach for discovering the functions of new genes relevant to behaviors.

I look forward to your feedback.

Jacqueline N. Crawley, Ph.D., Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA, April 2000

Rating:
Summary: an excellent resource
Review: Very timely given the increasingly recognized importance of providing behavioral phenotypes of mutant mice. I would recommend the book with enthusiasm. --Eric Nestler, Yale University School of Medicine