You Are a New Investigator at a Lab and Think

question 16

Essay

You are a new investigator at a lab and think you have identified an area of the brain (fictitiously called SASD) important for social interactions, which might be effected in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Describe an experiment in which you test the necessity and sufficiency of this brain area in social interactions. Include the neural manipulation and behavioral assay. Also include the predicted outcome of the experiment if you are correct.

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Definitions:

Elevated Mood

A state of heightened emotional state, which can be positive, such as feeling more joyful than usual.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder characterized by disordered thinking, perceptions, and delusions.

Agreeableness

A personality trait characterized by warmth, friendliness, and a tendency towards cooperation and social harmony.