The use of norms of reaction to analyze genotypic and environmental influences on behavior in mice and rats

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2005 May;29(3):445-56. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.12.005.

Abstract

Norms of reaction (NoRs) represent the phenotypic values of genotypes as functions of environmental parameters and permit the visualization of differences in phenotypic response of different genotypes. NoR graphs can be used to analyze interactions between genotypic and environmental factors during development to produce phenotypes in inbred strains of rats and mice. We describe the main features of NoRs, the history of their use in this context, and discuss several applications in behavioral neuroscience. In addition, we give a test for determining whether distinct strains have different NoRs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Environment*
  • Genotype*
  • Mice
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Rats
  • Reference Values
  • Species Specificity