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Measuring impulsivity in mice: the five-choice serial reaction time task

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Abstract

Rationale

Mice are useful tools for dissecting genetic and environmental factors in relation to the study of attention and impulsivity. The five-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) paradigm has been well established in rats, but its transferability to mice is less well documented.

Objectives

This study aims to summarise the main results of the 5CSRTT in mice, with special focus on impulsivity.

Methods

The 5CSRTT can be used to explore aspects of both attentional and inhibitory control mechanisms.

Results

Different manipulations of the task parameters can lead to different results; adjusting the protocol as a function of the main variable of interest or the standardisation of the protocol to be applied to a large set of strains will be desirable.

Conclusions

The 5CSRTT has proven to be a useful tool to investigate impulsivity in mice.

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Acknowledgements

Work in Stephens’ lab during the writing of this review was supported by MRC grant G1000008, EU FP7 grant “IMAGEN”, and EU InterReg grant “AlcoBinge”. This paper reflects only the authors’ views and the Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK

    Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Yolanda Peña-Oliver & David N. Stephens

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  1. Sandra Sanchez-Roige
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  2. Yolanda Peña-Oliver
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  3. David N. Stephens
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Correspondence to David N. Stephens.

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Sanchez-Roige, S., Peña-Oliver, Y. & Stephens, D.N. Measuring impulsivity in mice: the five-choice serial reaction time task. Psychopharmacology 219, 253–270 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2560-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2560-5

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