Experimental research using mouse models has made a great contribution to the elucidation of the mystery of life and the development of therapeutic agents, but it is difficult to elucidate all of the advanced mental functions of humans by mouse experiments, especially sociality. The elucidation of the function that creates and controls the mouse has not progressed.So far, the research group has clarified the changes in social behavior due to various problems during development by analyzing behavioral changes during group life of mice.

　This time, the research group has developed analysis software (MAPS) that automatically identifies individuals and obtains location information for mice living in groups.Mice bred independently and mice bred in groups from 4 weeks of age to maturity were prepared, and social proximity was analyzed using MAPS.

　As a result, mice that experienced social isolation during puberty when four individuals who met each other for the first time lived together "adapted to the surroundings" (improved social proximity) compared to mice that lived in groups. It took several times as many days.Furthermore, even individuals who are not good at "adapting to the surroundings" can quickly become accustomed to each other when individuals with high social proximity live together.The social accessibility of such mice was found to be more similar to humans than expected.

　By advancing research using the analysis software developed this time, what is the "heart" of human beings growing in society will be elucidated, and mental illnesses such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and social anxiety disorder will be elucidated. It is expected that the development of treatment methods will progress.

Paper information:[Communications Biology] Multiple animal positioning system shows that socially-reared mice influence the social proximity of isolation-reared cagemates