Where Lab Mice Live Matters (07-19-10)

Space design matters to non-human species, too.  Researchers have determined that cage design influences the response of mice to experimental situations even when the environment is not specifically being studied:  “seemingly innocuous changes in cage environments can affect sensory input relevant to mice and elicit profound effects on neural output.”

Anthony Oliva, Ernesto Salcedo, Jennifer Hellier, Xuan Ly, Kanthaiah Koka, Daniel Tolin and Diego Restrepp.  2010.  “Toward a Mouse Neuroethology in the Laboratory Environment.”  PLoS ONE, vol. 5, no. 6, http://www.plosone.org.