Meeting Abstract

P1-15    A novel method for examining neural responses at two distinct timepoints within an individual Wallace, KJ*; Gonzalez-Abreu, JA; Thompson, RR; Kelly, AM; Emory University, Atlanta GA; Emory University, Atlanta GA; Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA; Emory University, Atlanta GA kelly.wallace@emory.edu http://kellyjwallace.github.io

Capturing neural responses at multiple time points is critical to understanding dynamic behavior across different social contexts. The simplest way to capture neural responses at multiple time points is by assessing separate individuals, which requires large sample sizes and introduces inter-individual variation. Recently, techniques have been developed to characterize neural responses at several time points within the same individual (i.e., cell recordings of freely moving animals, catFISH). Here we propose an accessible method to assess neural responses at multiple time points using immunohistochemistry. Fos is the protein product of the immediate early gene c-fos and acts as a transcription factor. Fos has been extensively used across a variety of fields and species as a marker of neural activity. Typically, Fos production peaks thirty to sixty minutes after stimulus exposure. Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) is involved in gene induction, which leads to transcription. pERK can be induced within a minute of exposure and be detected up to 30 minutes after stimulus exposure. To explore the usage of Fos and pERK as proxy markers for neuronal activation at two distinct timepoints, we conducted a double-exposure experiment using Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). We exposed males to different stimuli (a novel female, a novel nonsocial stimulus, or no stimulus), once 90 minutes before tissue harvest and once 15 minutes before tissue harvest. We analyzed pERK and Fos expression via immunohistochemistry in regions of the brain involved in social behavior. These results highlight a novel and convenient procedure to assess neural responses to two distinct stimuli within an individual, and may allow for comparison within an individual, which could help us unravel mechanisms dissociating social behavior and social cognition.