The Handbook of Neurobehavioral Genetics and Phenotyping represents an integrative approach to neurobehavioural genetics; worldwide experts in their field will review all chapters. Advanced overviews of neurobehavioural characteristics will add immense value to the investigation of animal mutants and provide unique information about the genetics and behavioural understanding of animal models, under both normal and pathological conditions. Cross-species comparisons of neurobehavioural phenotypes will pave the way for an evolutionary understanding of behaviour.

Table of Contents

• Dedication
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Genetic Screens in Neurodegeneration
• Introduction
• The Genetics of Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Neurodegeneration Disease Models
• Genetic Approaches to Discover New Genes Related to Neurodegeneration Using Disease Models
• The Future
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Chapter 2: Computational Epigenomics
• Background
• Profiling and Analyzing the Methylation of Genomic DNA
• Profiling and Analyzing Histone Marks
• Integration with Other Omics Data
• Chromatin States
• Unraveling the Cross-talk Between Epigenetic Layers
• References
• Chapter 3: Behavioral Phenotyping in Zebrafish: The First Models of Alcohol Induced Abnormalities
• Introduction
• Alcohol Related Human Disorders: A Growing Unmet Medical Need
• Unraveling Alcohol Related Mechanisms: The Importance of Animal Models
• Face Validity: The First Step in Modeling a Human Disorder
• Acute Effects of Alcohol in Zebrafish: A Range of Behavioral Responses
• Chronic Alcohol Exposure Induced Behavioral Responses in Zebrafish
• Effects of Embryonic Alcohol Exposure
• Behavioral Phenotyping: Are We There Yet?
• Assembling the Behavioral Test Battery
• Concluding Remarks
• References
• Chapter 4: How does Stress Affect Energy Balance?
• Introduction
• Stress
• Energy Balance and Metabolic Disorders
• How does Stress Affect Energy Balance?
• Animal Models of Chronic Stress and their Impact on Energy Balance
• Molecular Mechanisms of Stress-Induced Negative and Positive Energy Balance
• Conclusion
• References
• Chapter 5: Interactions of Experience-Dependent Plasticity and LTP in the Hippocampus During Associative Learning
• Introduction: Study of Learning and Memory Processes in Alert Behaving Mammals
• Changes in Synaptic Strength During Learning and Memory
• Changes in Synaptic Strength Evoked by Actual Learning can be Modified by Experimentally Evoked Long-term Potentiation
• Other Experimental Constraints on the Study of the Physiological Basis of Learning Processes
• Functional Relationships Between Experimentally Evoked LTP and Associative Learning Tasks
• Future Perspectives
• References
• Chapter 6: The Genetics of Cognition in Schizophrenia: Combining Mouse and Human Studies
• Background
• Genetics of Schizophrenia
• Cognitive (dys)functions in Schizophrenia
• Translating Cognitive Symptoms in Animal Models
• Executive Control
• Working Memory
• Control of Attention
• Concluding Remarks
• References
• Chapter 7: The Biological Basis of Economic Choice
• Introduction
• Reinforcement Learning in the Brain
• Optimal Decisions: Benchmarks for the Analysis of Choice Behavior
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Chapter 8: Interval-timing Protocols and Their Relevancy to the Study of Temporal Cognition and Neurobehavioral Genetics
• Introduction
• Application of a Timing, Immersive Memory, and Emotional Regulation (Timer) Test Battery
• Neural Basis of Interval Timing
• What Makes a Mutant Mouse “Tick”?
• Proposal of a TIMER Test Battery and Its Application in Reverse Genetics
• Behavioral Test Battery Applications in Forward Genetics
• Summary
• References
• Appendix I
• Chapter 9: Toolkits for Cognition: From Core Knowledge to Genes
• Introduction
• Core Knowledge: The Domestic Chick as a System Model
• A Comparative Perspective on the Genetic and Evolutionary Bases of Social Behavior
• Future Directions
• References
• Chapter 10: Quantitative Genetics of Behavioral Phenotypes
• Human Studies of Quantitative Traits
• Mouse Studies of Quantitative Traits
• Use of Mice as Animal Model for Complex Human Traits
• Physical Activity – Definitions and Methods of Phenotypic Measurement
• Current Results of Quantitative Genetic Basis of PA in Humans
• Current Results of Quantitative Genetic Basis of PA in Mice
• An Overlap of Genetic Findings Between the Species
• Conclusions
• References
• Chapter 11: Behavioral Phenotyping in Genetic Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Translational Outlook
• Introduction
• Measuring Social Behavior in ASD Mouse Models
• Repetitive Behavior
• Behavioral Tests Targeting other ASD Symptoms
• Behavioral Phenotyping in ASD Mouse Pups
• Future Directions: ASD Mouse Models as a Resource for Gene-environment Interaction Studies
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Chapter 12: Genetics of human sleep and sleep disorders
• The Mystery of Human Sleep
• Extended Wakefulness Induces Sleep
• A Unique Activity Pattern Characterizes the Sleeping Brain
• Circadian Regulation of Sleep and Associated Disorders
• Destabilization of Sleep States and Narcolepsy
• Restless Legs Syndrome, A Developmental Sleep Disorder
• Unresolved Issues and Future Perspectives
• References
• Chapter 13: The Endocannabinoid System in the Control of Behavior
• Introduction
• Role of the ECS in Memory Processes
• Cannabinoid Regulation of Memory: Neurobiological Mechanisms
• Role of the ECS in Fear Processes
• Role of the ECS in Feeding Behavior
• Conclusions
• References
• Chapter 14: Epigenetics in Brain Development and Disease
• Introduction
• Epigenetics and Neurodevelopment
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders with an Epigenetic Basis
• Imprinted Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders
• Epigenetics of Neurodegenerative Disorders
• The Impact of the Environment on the Epigenome
• Epigenetic Therapy in Neurodevelopment
• Concluding Remarks
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Chapter 15: Impact of Postnatal Manipulations on Offspring Development in Rodents
• Introduction
• Rodents' Responses to Postnatal Environment and Early Manipulations
• Conclusions
• References
• Chapter 16: Exploring the Roles of Genetics and the Epigenetic Mechanism DNA Methylation in Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Behavior
• Introduction
• Genetics of Adult Honey Bee Biology and Behavior
• Techniques for Investigating the Genetic Bases of Behavior
• DNA Methylation and Honey Bee Behavior
• Techniques for Detecting and Assaying DNA Methylation
• Techniques for Manipulating DNA Methylation
• Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives
• References
• Chapter 17: Genetics and Neuroepigenetics of Sleep
• Defining Sleep
• Sleep is Genetically Determined
• Epigenetics
• Neuroepigenetics
• Neuroepigenetics of Sleep
• Conclusions
• References
• Chapter 18: Behavioral Phenotyping Using Optogenetic Technology
• Introduction
• Microbial Opsins
• Targeting systems
• Light Delivery in the Animal Brain
• Recording Light-evoked Neuronal Activity
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Chapter 19: Phenotyping Sleep: Beyond EEG
• Sleep Research
• Phenotyping Sleep in Humans
• Phenotyping Sleep in Animal Models
• Future Perspectives
• Acknowledgements
• References
• Chapter 20: A Cognitive Neurogenetics Screening System with a Data-Analysis Toolbox
• Introduction
• Mechanisms, Not Procedures
• Functional Specificity
• No Group Averages
• Physiologically Meaningful Measures
• Importance of Large-scale Screening and Minimal Handling
• Utilizable Archived Data with Intact Data Trails
• References
• Chapter 21: Mapping the Connectional Architecture of the Rodent Brain with fMRI
• Introduction
• MRI Mapping of Functional Connectivity in the Rodent Brain
• Transgenic Models: Genetic Manipulation of Functional Connectivity Patterns
• Future Perspectives
• References
• Chapter 22: Cutting Edge Approaches for the Identification and the Functional Investigation of miRNAs in Brain Science
• Introduction
• Identification of Novel MicroRNAs in the Brain
• miRNA Expression Analysis in the Brain
• Target Identification
• miRNA Manipulation/Target Validation
• New Frontiers in Small RNA-based Technologies to Cure Nervous System Deficits (Table 22.1)
• Conclusion and Perspectives
• Are miRNAs Just the “Tip of the Iceberg”? Emerging Classes of Noncoding RNAs and Novel Scenarios
• Acknowledgments
• Competing Financial Interests
• References