The first MOOC to teach behavioral neuroscience research using laboratory mice. Learn responsible conduct of research and how to collect scientific data using two different tests that measure compulsions, and interpret and discuss the results in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans.
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- Understand how to handle laboratory mice responsibly according to federal law by completing Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) training.
- Understand how research on animals must be scientifically justified, humane and ethical, and provide new knowledge.
- Collect behavioral data from mouse videos from compulsive-like, non-compulsive-like, and randomly bred mouse strains; a mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Obtain competency in using behavioral tests to measure compulsions in laboratory mice.
Establish a foundation in using behavioral tests in laboratory mice to be able to confidently learn how to use new tests.
- Develop an ability to analyze behavioral data.
- Develop an ability to interpret and discuss results in the context of human psychiatric disorders and the mouse model of OCD.
- Obtain a competency in describing key characteristics of OCD in humans and compulsions in animal models.
- Develop a capability to formulate original research hypotheses.
- Obtain a competency in describing and discussing how basic research contributes to the animal model of OCD and how it may have the potential to contribute to improving the human condition.
- Learners who join this course should be free of objections to using mice in research.
This course is part of the Behavioral Neuroscience Research Professional Certificate.
What you'll learn
- Learn responsible conduct of research.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret behavioral data from mouse videos.
- Establish a foundation in using behavioral tests in laboratory mice.
- Understand obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans and compulsions in animals.
- Understand the role of animal models in studying human psychiatry.
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction, Animal Care and Training
Module 2: Ethics of Animal Research
Module 3: OCD in humans and compulsive like behavior in mice (nesting)
Module 4: Compulsive-like behavior: Data collection and analysis of marble burying behavior
Module 5: Interpretation of results
