Empathy in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Chen QiLiang, Panksepp Jules B., Lahvis Garet P.
Primary Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hypothesis
Does exposure to conspecific distress influence how a mouse subsequently responds to environmental cues that predict this distress?
Conclusion
B6 mice show enhanced freezing responses to distress cues compared to BALB mice, indicating a genetic influence on empathic behavior.
Supporting Evidence
- B6 mice expressed longer freezing responses than BALB mice after exposure to distressed conspecifics.
- Heart rate changes in response to distress vocalizations were observed in both strains.
- B6 mice showed enhanced fear learning compared to BALB mice.
Takeaway
Mice can learn to feel scared when they see or hear another mouse in distress, and this ability varies based on their genetic background.
Methodology
The study used a cue-conditioned fear paradigm to assess the freezing responses of B6 and BALB mice after exposure to distressed conspecifics.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in interpreting the emotional responses of mice based on human empathy frameworks.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on two mouse strains, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other strains or species.
Participant Demographics
Mice from two strains: C57BL/6J (B6) and BALB/cJ (BALB), aged 5-8 weeks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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