Using a socially enriched environment test to evaluate the effects of different therapeutic approaches on social behavior in a mouse model of social anxiety disorder

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) stands as a prevalent psychiatric condition characterized by the apprehension of scrutiny and embarrassment in social settings, leading to anxiety symptoms, avoidance behaviors, and impaired social and occupational functioning. Despite the efficacy of various evidence-based treatments, a substantial portion of patients remain unresponsive. In this study, we used the socially enriched environment test (SEE, developed in our laboratory) to assess behaviors associated with social anxiety disorder after intervention, using various therapeutic strategies. We tested, in male mice, the effects of acute oxytocin injection, behavioral extinction, and high-frequency stimulation of the infralimbic (IL) cortex on social anxiety induced by a social fear conditioning paradigm. The SEE test revealed three behavioral changes, including reduced social interaction, reduced collective object exploration, and increased freezing behavior. Oxytocin and high-frequency stimulation of the IL cortex affected all these behavioral changes, while extinction training affected two (social interaction and freezing behavior). In conclusion, the SEE test is a reliable tool for exploring social anxiety behaviors in mice. Moreover, it can be used to evaluate different therapeutic approaches, providing valuable information on innovative therapeutic strategies for the effective treatment of SAD.