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Brief Communication

Nature Neuroscience 6, 445–446 (1 May 2003) | doi:10.1038/nn1038

Epigenetic sources of behavioral differences in mice

Darlene D. Francis , Kathleen Szegda , Gregory Campbell , W. David Martin & Thomas R. Insel

Inbred mouse strains are classically used to search for the genes associated with behavioral traits, including emotionality. To distinguish genetic and environmental contributions to the expression of adult behavior in mice, we investigated the effects of prenatal (embryo transfer) and postnatal (cross-fostering) environments in two strains of inbred mice with profound and reliable differences in behavior.