Pharmacological and Behavioral Modulation of Impulsivity in the Touchscreen-based Mouse 5-choice Serial Reaction Time Test

This work characterized the performance of mice on a new touchscreen version of the 5-choice serial reaction time test (5CSRTT). We investigated whether task-parameter and pharmacological manipulations that influence impulsivity in the older rat 5CSRTT exerted similar influences in the mouse 5CSRTT. Using premature responding as a measure of impulsive actions, we found that increasing the inter-trial interval from 5 to 9s reliably increased impulsivity. The psychostimulant cocaine increased premature responding but had a weaker effect in mice than in rats. The α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine, which heightens impulsivity in rats, reduced impulsivity in mice. The serotonin 5HT2C receptor agonist lorcaserin, noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor atomoxetine, and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram decreased premature responding. These results indicate that the touchscreen version of the 5CSRTT can reliably measure impulsivity, and that there is some correspondence between the effects of pharmacological and behavioral manipulations on the 5CSRTT in rats and mice.M.A