Sociality deficits in serine racemase knockout mice

Abstract Background Studies of schizophrenia have pointed to the role of glutamate in its pathophysiology. Mice lacking D‐serine show impairments in neurotransmission through NMDA receptors and display behaviors consistent with features of schizophrenia. Yet, socio‐communicative deficits, a characteristic of schizophrenia, have not been reported in serine racemase knockout mice. Methods We use behavioral testing (the three‐chambered social approach task, the dyadic interaction task, and the novel object recognition task) to examine socio‐communicative behaviors in these mice. Results Serine racemase mice show abnormal social investigation and approach behavior, and differ from wild‐type controls in the duration and number of vocalizations they emit in the presence of a conspecific. Serine racemase knockout mice were not impaired in a cognitive test (novel object recognition), although they displayed abnormal behavior in the acquisition phase of the task. Conclusions Serine racemase knockout mice demonstrate abnormalities in socio‐communicative behaviors consistent with an impairment in sociality, a negative symptom of schizophrenia.