By O. Romboletti, S. Bronski, C. Jones, S. Hinsdale

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters

Abstract

Physical activity mediates a range of behavioral and physiological processes in mammals; this includes social interactions and neurochemical signaling. This study investigates whether accessibility to exercise alters social behavior in CD-1 female mice. These behavioral modifications are associated with variations in neurochemical markers in the prefrontal cortex. Mice were housed under three conditions: no access to a wheel, limited access to a wheel, and unlimited access to a wheel, in groups of four per cage for eight weeks, after which a social preference test was administered. One week following behavioral assessments, the mice were killed, and their prefrontal cortex tissue was subjected to biochemical analysis.