Inequity aversion is observed in common marmosets but not in marmoset models of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid.

Inequity aversion is observed in common marmosets but not in marmoset models of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid.
Behav Brain Res. 2018 Jan 24;:
Authors: Yasue M, Nakagami A, Nakagaki K, Ichinohe N, Kawai N
Abstract
Humans and various nonhuman primates respond negatively to inequity not in their favor (i.e., inequity aversion), when inequity between two individuals is introduced. Common marmosets, a highly prosocial species, further discriminated between human actors who reciprocated in social exchanges, and those who did not. Conversely, marmoset models of autism, induced via prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA marmosets), did not discriminate. Interestingly, previous studies of inequity aversion in marmosets have produced negative results, or were limited to males. Recent studies suggest that inequity aversion is highly influenced by the tasks employed. Here we show inequity aversion in both male and female marmosets using a novel task which required a relatively long duration of response. Marmosets were required to hold a spoon for 2 seconds to receive a reward. Marmosets successfully performed the task when they observed an unfamiliar conspecific partner obtaining the same reward (equity test). However, when they witnessed the partner receiving a more attractive reward for equal effort (inequity test), unexposed marmosets, which were not exposed to either valproic acid or saline during the fetal period ref...

Source: Behavioural Brain Research - January 24, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Yasue M, Nakagami A, Nakagaki K, Ichinohe N, Kawai N Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research