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Castellano G, Bonnet Da Silva J, Pietropaolo S. The role of gene-environment interactions in social dysfunction: Focus on preclinical evidence from mouse studies. Neuropharmacology 2024; 261:110179. [PMID: 39369849 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/04/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Human and animal research has demonstrated that genetic and environmental factors can strongly modulate behavioral function, including the expression of social behaviors and their dysfunctionalities. Several genes have been linked to pathologies characterized by alterations in social behaviors, e.g., aggressive/antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Environmental stimulation (e.g., physical exercise, environmental enrichment) or adversity (e.g., chronic stress, social isolation) may respectively improve or impair social interactions. While the independent contribution of genetic and environmental factors to social behaviors has been assessed in a variety of human and animal studies, the impact of their interactive effects on social functions has been less extensively investigated. Genetic mutations and environmental changes can indeed influence each other through complex mutual effects, e.g., inducing synergistic, antagonistic or interactive behavioral outcomes. This complexity is difficult to be disentangled in human populations, thus encouraging studies in animal models, especially in the mouse species which is the most suitable for genetic manipulations. Here we review the available preclinical evidence on the impact of gene-environment interactions on social behaviors and their dysfunction, focusing on studies in laboratory mice. We included findings combining naturally occurring mutations, selectively bred or transgenic mice with multiple environmental manipulations, including positive (environmental enrichment, physical exercise) and aversive (social isolation, maternal separation, and stress) experiences. The impact of these results is critically discussed in terms of their generalizability across mouse models and social tests, as well as their implications for human studies on social dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Castellano
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
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2
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Poggi G, Klaus F, Pryce CR. Pathophysiology in cortico-amygdala circuits and excessive aversion processing: the role of oligodendrocytes and myelination. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae140. [PMID: 38712320 PMCID: PMC11073757 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress-related psychiatric illnesses, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, present with alterations in emotional processing, including excessive processing of negative/aversive stimuli and events. The bidirectional human/primate brain circuit comprising anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala is of fundamental importance in processing emotional stimuli, and in rodents the medial prefrontal cortex-amygdala circuit is to some extent analogous in structure and function. Here, we assess the comparative evidence for: (i) Anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex<->amygdala bidirectional neural circuits as major contributors to aversive stimulus processing; (ii) Structural and functional changes in anterior cingulate cortex<->amygdala circuit associated with excessive aversion processing in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders, and in medial prefrontal cortex<->amygdala circuit in rodent models of chronic stress-induced increased aversion reactivity; and (iii) Altered status of oligodendrocytes and their oligodendrocyte lineage cells and myelination in anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex<->amygdala circuits in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders and stress models. The comparative evidence from humans and rodents is that their respective anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex<->amygdala circuits are integral to adaptive aversion processing. However, at the sub-regional level, the anterior cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex structure-function analogy is incomplete, and differences as well as similarities need to be taken into account. Structure-function imaging studies demonstrate that these neural circuits are altered in both human stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders and rodent models of stress-induced increased aversion processing. In both cases, the changes include altered white matter integrity, albeit the current evidence indicates that this is decreased in humans and increased in rodent models. At the cellular-molecular level, in both humans and rodents, the current evidence is that stress disorders do present with changes in oligodendrocyte lineage, oligodendrocytes and/or myelin in these neural circuits, but these changes are often discordant between and even within species. Nonetheless, by integrating the current comparative evidence, this review provides a timely insight into this field and should function to inform future studies-human, monkey and rodent-to ascertain whether or not the oligodendrocyte lineage and myelination are causally involved in the pathophysiology of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Poggi
- Preclinical Laboratory for Translational Research into Affective Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Federica Klaus
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
- Desert-Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christopher R Pryce
- Preclinical Laboratory for Translational Research into Affective Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- URPP Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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3
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Rauhut AS, Tuladhar B, Tamvaka N, Warnick J. Differential effects of voluntary exercise and housing density on anxiety-like behavior in C57Bl/6 mice. Behav Processes 2024; 217:105023. [PMID: 38522795 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The interaction of voluntary exercise and housing density on a) anxiety-like behavior and b) the stimulant effects of methamphetamine in C57Bl/6 mice were evaluated. Upon arrival, mice were housed singly or in pairs, and permitted access to home-cage running wheels or not for 4 weeks. Testing for anxiety-like behavior occurred over the next 3 weeks, one test per week [Elevated-Plus Maze (EPM) → Hyponeophagia (HNP) task → Open-Field (OF) task]. The final, OF task involved an 8-hour session in which mice were permitted to explore the chamber (drug free) during Hours 1-3; given an injection (s.c.) of methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) after Hour 3; followed by continued behavioral sampling during Hours 4-8. Several tasks (HNP and OF, but not EPM) consistently showed voluntary exercise induced anxiety-like behavior. In addition, two measures (time in center and time resting in the perimeter) in the OF task revealed that exercise mice compared to controls were more responsive to the anxiogenic effects of methamphetamine. Although pair housing was anxiolytic, it did not ameliorate the anxiogenic effects of voluntary exercise. Taken together, these results, when viewed in tandem with previous studies that utilized a less anxious mouse strain (Swiss Webster), may suggest that voluntary exercise is anxiogenic in an anxiety-prone mouse strain such as C57Bl/6 and highlight the importance of considering mouse strain when evaluating the impact of environmental manipulations on anxiety-like behavior in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S Rauhut
- Psychology Department, Dickinson College, Carlisle 17013, PA; Neuroscience Program, Dickinson College, Carlisle 17013, PA.
| | | | - Nicole Tamvaka
- Neuroscience Program, Dickinson College, Carlisle 17013, PA
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Appana B, Queen NJ, Cao L. Protocol to minimize the confounding effect of cold stress on socially isolated mice using thermoneutral housing. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102533. [PMID: 37660300 PMCID: PMC10491848 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Social isolation, a risk factor for mortality and various disease states, in mice remains poorly understood, due in part to under-consideration of housing temperature and the murine thermoneutral zone. Here, we present a housing protocol to minimize the confounding effect of chronic cold stress on socially isolated mice that are unable to socially thermoregulate. We describe steps for allocating mice to group housing or social isolation conditions, housing mice in thermoneutral cabinets, feeding mice with high-fat diet, and measuring body weight, food intake, and metabolic indicators. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Queen et al..1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavya Appana
- Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Nicholas J Queen
- Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Grigoryan GA, Pavlova IV, Zaichenko MI. Effects of Social Isolation on the Development of Anxiety and Depression-Like Behavior in Model Experiments in Animals. NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 52:722-738. [PMID: 36119650 PMCID: PMC9471030 DOI: 10.1007/s11055-022-01297-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This review describes the role of social isolation in the development of anxiety and depression-like behavior in rodents. The duration of social isolation, age from onset of social isolation, sex, species, and strain of animals, the nature of the model used, and other factors have been shown to have influences. The molecular-cellular mechanisms of development of anxiety and depression-like behavior under the influence of social isolation and the roles of the HHAS, oxidative and nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, BDNF, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, as well as monoamines in these mechanisms are discussed. This review presents data on sex differences in the effects of social isolation, along with the effects of interactions with other types of stress, and the roles of an enriched environment and other factors in ameliorating the negative sequelae of social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. A. Grigoryan
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - I. V. Pavlova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - M. I. Zaichenko
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Moreau MM, Pietropaolo S, Ezan J, Robert BJA, Miraux S, Maître M, Cho Y, Crusio WE, Montcouquiol M, Sans N. Scribble Controls Social Motivation Behavior through the Regulation of the ERK/Mnk1 Pathway. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101601. [PMID: 35626639 PMCID: PMC9139383 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behavior is a basic domain affected by several neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and a heterogeneous set of neuropsychiatric disorders. The SCRIB gene that codes for the polarity protein SCRIBBLE has been identified as a risk gene for spina bifida, the most common type of neural tube defect, found at high frequencies in autistic patients, as well as other congenital anomalies. The deletions and mutations of the 8q24.3 region encompassing SCRIB are also associated with multisyndromic and rare disorders. Nonetheless, the potential link between SCRIB and relevant social phenotypes has not been fully investigated. Hence, we show that Scribcrc/+ mice, carrying a mutated version of Scrib, displayed reduced social motivation behavior and social habituation, while other behavioral domains were unaltered. Social deficits were associated with the upregulation of ERK phosphorylation, together with increased c-Fos activity. Importantly, the social alterations were rescued by both direct and indirect pERK inhibition. These results support a link between polarity genes, social behaviors and hippocampal functionality and suggest a role for SCRIB in the etiopathology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, our data demonstrate the crucial role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in underlying social motivation behavior, thus supporting its relevance as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maïté M. Moreau
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.M.); (N.S.)
| | - Susanna Pietropaolo
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neurosciences, UMR5287, 33405 Bordeaux, France; (S.P.); (Y.C.); (W.E.C.)
| | - Jérôme Ezan
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Benjamin J. A. Robert
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Sylvain Miraux
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques UMR5536, 33077 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Marlène Maître
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Yoon Cho
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neurosciences, UMR5287, 33405 Bordeaux, France; (S.P.); (Y.C.); (W.E.C.)
| | - Wim E. Crusio
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neurosciences, UMR5287, 33405 Bordeaux, France; (S.P.); (Y.C.); (W.E.C.)
| | - Mireille Montcouquiol
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Nathalie Sans
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33077 Bordeaux, France; (J.E.); (B.J.A.R.); (M.M.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.M.); (N.S.)
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7
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Pilarzyk K, Farmer R, Porcher L, Kelly MP. The Role of PDE11A4 in Social Isolation-Induced Changes in Intracellular Signaling and Neuroinflammation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:749628. [PMID: 34887755 PMCID: PMC8650591 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.749628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), an enzyme that degrades cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP), is the only PDE whose mRNA expression in brain is restricted to the hippocampal formation. Previously, we showed that chronic social isolation changes subsequent social behaviors in adult mice by reducing expression of PDE11A4 in the membrane fraction of the ventral hippocampus (VHIPP). Here we seek extend these findings by determining 1) if isolation-induced decreases in PDE11A4 require chronic social isolation or if they occur acutely and are sustained long-term, 2) if isolation-induced decreases occur uniquely in adults (i.e., not adolescents), and 3) how the loss of PDE11 signaling may increase neuroinflammation. Both acute and chronic social isolation decrease PDE11A4 expression in adult but not adolescent mice. This decrease in PDE11A4 is specific to the membrane compartment of the VHIPP, as it occurs neither in the soluble nor nuclear fractions of the VHIPP nor in any compartment of the dorsal HIPP. The effect of social isolation on membrane PDE11A4 is also selective in that PDE2A and PDE10A expression remain unchanged. Isolation-induced decreases in PDE11A4 expression appear to be functional as social isolation elicited changes in PDE11A-relevant signal transduction cascades (i.e., decreased pCamKIIα and pS6-235/236) and behavior (i.e., increased remote long-term memory for social odor recognition). Interestingly, we found that isolation-induced decreases in membrane PDE11A4 correlated with increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the soluble fraction, suggesting pro-inflammatory signaling for this cytokine. This effect on IL-6 is consistent with the fact that PDE11A deletion increased microglia activation, although it left astrocytes unchanged. Together, these data suggest that isolation-induced decreases in PDE11A4 may alter subsequent social behavior via increased neuroinflammatory processes in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Pilarzyk
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Reagan Farmer
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Latarsha Porcher
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Michy P Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Center for Aging Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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8
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Gildawie KR, Ryll LM, Hexter JC, Peterzell S, Valentine AA, Brenhouse HC. A two-hit adversity model in developing rats reveals sex-specific impacts on prefrontal cortex structure and behavior. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 48:100924. [PMID: 33515957 PMCID: PMC7847967 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.100924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adversity early in life substantially impacts prefrontal cortex (PFC) development and vulnerability to later-life psychopathology. Importantly, repeated adverse experiences throughout childhood increase the risk for PFC-mediated behavioral deficits more commonly in women. Evidence from animal models points to effects of adversity on later-life neural and behavioral dysfunction; however, few studies have investigated the neurobiological underpinnings of sex-specific, long-term consequences of multiple developmental stressors. We modeled early life adversity in rats via maternal separation (postnatal day (P)2-20) and juvenile social isolation (P21-35). In adulthood, anxiety-like behavior was assessed in the elevated zero maze and the presence and structural integrity of PFC perineuronal nets (PNNs) enwrapping parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons was quantified. PNNs are extracellular matrix structures formed during critical periods in postnatal development that play a key role in the plasticity of PV cells. We observed a female-specific effect of adversity on hyperactivity and risk-assessment behavior. Moreover, females – but not males – exposed to multiple hits of adversity demonstrated a reduction in PFC PV cells in adulthood. We also observed a sex-specific, potentiated reduction in PV + PNN structural integrity. These findings suggest a sex-specific impact of repeated adversity on neurostructural development and implicate PNNs as a contributor to associated behavioral dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lilly M Ryll
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica C Hexter
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shayna Peterzell
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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Keesom SM, Hurley LM. Silence, Solitude, and Serotonin: Neural Mechanisms Linking Hearing Loss and Social Isolation. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060367. [PMID: 32545607 PMCID: PMC7349698 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
For social animals that communicate acoustically, hearing loss and social isolation are factors that independently influence social behavior. In human subjects, hearing loss may also contribute to objective and subjective measures of social isolation. Although the behavioral relationship between hearing loss and social isolation is evident, there is little understanding of their interdependence at the level of neural systems. Separate lines of research have shown that social isolation and hearing loss independently target the serotonergic system in the rodent brain. These two factors affect both presynaptic and postsynaptic measures of serotonergic anatomy and function, highlighting the sensitivity of serotonergic pathways to both types of insult. The effects of deficits in both acoustic and social inputs are seen not only within the auditory system, but also in other brain regions, suggesting relatively extensive effects of these deficits on serotonergic regulatory systems. Serotonin plays a much-studied role in depression and anxiety, and may also influence several aspects of auditory cognition, including auditory attention and understanding speech in challenging listening conditions. These commonalities suggest that serotonergic pathways are worthy of further exploration as potential intervening mechanisms between the related conditions of hearing loss and social isolation, and the affective and cognitive dysfunctions that follow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Keesom
- Department of Biology, Utica College, Utica, NY 13502, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura M. Hurley
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
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10
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Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency in mice: consequences of postweaning social isolation on behavior and changes in brain neurochemical systems. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:1719-1742. [PMID: 32514634 PMCID: PMC7321906 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Reductions of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and subsequent GABA levels have been consistently observed in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression, but it has remained unclear how GABAergic dysfunction contributes to different symptoms of the diseases. To address this issue, we investigated male mice haplodeficient for GAD67 (GAD67+/GFP mice), which showed a reduced social interaction, social dominance and increased immobility in the forced swim test. No differences were found in rotarod performance and sensorimotor gating. We also addressed potential effects of social deprivation, which is known, during early life, to affect GABAergic function and induces behavioral abnormalities similar to the symptoms found in psychiatric disorders. Indeed, social isolation of GAD67+/GFP mice provoked increased rearing activity in the social interaction test and hyperlocomotion on elevated plus maze. Since GABA closely interacts with the dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems, we investigated GAD67+/GFP and GAD67+/+ mice for morphological markers of the latter systems and found increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR fiber densities in CA1 of dorsal hippocampus. By contrast, no differences in numbers and densities of TH-positive neurons of the midbrain dopamine regions, serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the raphe nuclei, or choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing neurons of basal forebrain and their respective terminal fields were observed. Our results indicate that GAD67 haplodeficiency impairs sociability and increases vulnerability to social stress, provokes depressive-like behavior and alters the catecholaminergic innervation in brain areas associated with schizophrenia. GAD67+/GFP mice may provide a useful model for studying the impact of GABAergic dysfunction as related to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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11
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Oliver DK, Intson K, Sargin D, Power SK, McNabb J, Ramsey AJ, Lambe EK. Chronic social isolation exerts opposing sex-specific consequences on serotonin neuronal excitability and behaviour. Neuropharmacology 2020; 168:108015. [PMID: 32092443 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation raises the risk for mood disorders associated with serotonergic disruption. Yet, the underlying mechanisms by which the stress of social isolation increases risk are not well understood. Men and women are differently vulnerable; however, this modulating role of sex is challenging to study in humans under carefully controlled conditions. Therefore, we investigated this question in mice of both sexes, asking how the long-term stress of social isolation (from weaning into adulthood) affects the excitability of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus as well as mouse behaviour. The electrophysiological experiments and the first set of behavioural tests were conducted in young adult mice, with additional behavioural assays completed as the mice matured to assess the stability of their behavioural phenotype. We found that social isolation exerted seemingly-opposite effects in male and female mice, relative to their respective group-housed littermate controls. This distinctive pattern was observed for the effect of social isolation on the control of serotonergic neuron excitability via the SK family of calcium-activated potassium channels. Furthermore, we observed a similar and consistent pattern on tests relevant to assessing the efficacy of anti-depressant medicines, including the forced swim test, the novelty-suppressed feeding test, and the sucrose preference test. These findings underscore the concept that stress-elicited illness manifests distinctly in males and females and that treatments aimed at restoring serotonergic function may require a sex-specific approach. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Serotonin Research: Crossing Scales and Boundaries'.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Oliver
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katheron Intson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Derya Sargin
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Saige K Power
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Janice McNabb
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amy J Ramsey
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Evelyn K Lambe
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of OBGYN, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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12
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Gulinello M, Mitchell HA, Chang Q, Timothy O'Brien W, Zhou Z, Abel T, Wang L, Corbin JG, Veeraragavan S, Samaco RC, Andrews NA, Fagiolini M, Cole TB, Burbacher TM, Crawley JN. Rigor and reproducibility in rodent behavioral research. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 165:106780. [PMID: 29307548 PMCID: PMC6034984 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience research incorporates the identical high level of meticulous methodologies and exacting attention to detail as all other scientific disciplines. To achieve maximal rigor and reproducibility of findings, well-trained investigators employ a variety of established best practices. Here we explicate some of the requirements for rigorous experimental design and accurate data analysis in conducting mouse and rat behavioral tests. Novel object recognition is used as an example of a cognitive assay which has been conducted successfully with a range of methods, all based on common principles of appropriate procedures, controls, and statistics. Directors of Rodent Core facilities within Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers contribute key aspects of their own novel object recognition protocols, offering insights into essential similarities and less-critical differences. Literature cited in this review article will lead the interested reader to source papers that provide step-by-step protocols which illustrate optimized methods for many standard rodent behavioral assays. Adhering to best practices in behavioral neuroscience will enhance the value of animal models for the multiple goals of understanding biological mechanisms, evaluating consequences of genetic mutations, and discovering efficacious therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gulinello
- IDDRC Behavioral Core Facility, Neuroscience Department, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Heather A Mitchell
- IDD Models Core, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Qiang Chang
- IDD Models Core, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - W Timothy O'Brien
- IDDRC Preclinical Models Core, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- IDDRC Preclinical Models Core, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ted Abel
- IDDRC Preclinical Models Core, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Current affiliation: Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Li Wang
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Joshua G Corbin
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Surabi Veeraragavan
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rodney C Samaco
- IDDRC Neurobehavioral Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nick A Andrews
- IDDRC Neurodevelopmental Behavior Core, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- IDDRC Neurodevelopmental Behavior Core, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Toby B Cole
- IDDRC Rodent Behavior Laboratory, Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas M Burbacher
- IDDRC Rodent Behavior Laboratory, Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- IDDRC Rodent Behavior Core, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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13
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Molecular programs underlying differences in the expression of mood disorders in males and females. Brain Res 2019; 1719:89-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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14
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Arakawa H. Ethological approach to social isolation effects in behavioral studies of laboratory rodents. Behav Brain Res 2018; 341:98-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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15
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Kappel S, Hawkins P, Mendl MT. To Group or Not to Group? Good Practice for Housing Male Laboratory Mice. Animals (Basel) 2017; 7:ani7120088. [PMID: 29186765 PMCID: PMC5742782 DOI: 10.3390/ani7120088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Wild mice live in territories inhabited by one adult male, several females, and their offspring. This cannot be replicated in the laboratory, so male mice are usually housed in single-sex groups or individually. However, there can be serious animal welfare problems associated with both these approaches, such as lack of social contact when housed individually or aggression between males when kept in groups. Group housing is widely recommended to give male laboratory mice the opportunity to behave as ‘social animals’, but social stress can be detrimental to the welfare of these animals, even without injurious fighting. All of this can also affect the quality of the science, giving rise to ethical concerns. This review discusses whether it is in the best welfare interests of male mice to be housed in groups, or alone. We conclude that it is not possible to give general recommendations for good practice for housing male laboratory mice, as responses to single- and group-housing can be highly context-dependent. The welfare implications of housing protocols should be researched and considered in each case. Abstract It is widely recommended to group-house male laboratory mice because they are ‘social animals’, but male mice do not naturally share territories and aggression can be a serious welfare problem. Even without aggression, not all animals within a group will be in a state of positive welfare. Rather, many male mice may be negatively affected by the stress of repeated social defeat and subordination, raising concerns about welfare and also research validity. However, individual housing may not be an appropriate solution, given the welfare implications associated with no social contact. An essential question is whether it is in the best welfare interests of male mice to be group- or singly housed. This review explores the likely impacts—positive and negative—of both housing conditions, presents results of a survey of current practice and awareness of mouse behavior, and includes recommendations for good practice and future research. We conclude that whether group- or single-housing is better (or less worse) in any situation is highly context-dependent according to several factors including strain, age, social position, life experiences, and housing and husbandry protocols. It is important to recognise this and evaluate what is preferable from animal welfare and ethical perspectives in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kappel
- Bristol Veterinary School, Bristol University, Langford House, Langford BS40 5DU, UK;
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (P.H.); Tel.: +44-1403-793-231 (P.H.)
| | - Penny Hawkins
- Research Animals Department, RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, West Sussex RH13 9RS, UK
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (P.H.); Tel.: +44-1403-793-231 (P.H.)
| | - Michael T. Mendl
- Bristol Veterinary School, Bristol University, Langford House, Langford BS40 5DU, UK;
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Effect of post-weaning isolation on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors of C57BL/6J mice. Exp Brain Res 2017; 235:2893-2899. [PMID: 28695280 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5021-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Effects of post-weaning isolation on depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in rodents have been well studied in the past. However, few studies included both sexes in a single experiment to study the sex difference in this animal model. The present study investigated the effect of post-weaning isolation on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in both male and female C57BL/6 J mice. Mice were individually or grouped housed from postnatal day 21 for 5 weeks until behavioral tests began. The results showed that social isolation resulted in increased anxiety in the open field. Isolated-reared female, but not male mice showed an increased transition between two compartments in the light-dark box and a decreased immobile time in the forced swim test. We conclude that post-weaning isolation has a sex-specific effect on emotional behaviors.
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17
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Lauer AM, Behrens D, Klump G. Acoustic startle modification as a tool for evaluating auditory function of the mouse: Progress, pitfalls, and potential. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 77:194-208. [PMID: 28327385 PMCID: PMC5446932 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acoustic startle response (ASR) modification procedures, especially prepulse inhibition (PPI), are increasingly used as behavioral measures of auditory processing and sensorimotor gating in rodents due to their perceived ease of implementation and short testing times. In practice, ASR and PPI procedures are extremely variable across animals, experimental setups, and studies, and the interpretation of results is subject to numerous caveats and confounding influences. We review considerations for modification of the ASR using acoustic stimuli, and we compare the sensitivity of PPI procedures to more traditional operant psychoacoustic techniques. We also discuss non-auditory variables that must be considered. We conclude that ASR and PPI measures cannot substitute for traditional operant techniques due to their low sensitivity. Additionally, a substantial amount of pilot testing must be performed to properly optimize an ASR modification experiment, negating any time benefit over operant conditioning. Nevertheless, there are some circumstances where ASR measures may be the only option for assessing auditory behavior, such as when testing mouse strains with early-onset hearing loss or learning impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Lauer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Center for Hearing and Balance, Johns Hopkins University, 515 Traylor Building, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Derik Behrens
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Animal Physiology & Behavior Group, Department for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Carl Von Ossietzky Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Georg Klump
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Animal Physiology & Behavior Group, Department for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Carl Von Ossietzky Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
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18
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Lander SS, Linder-Shacham D, Gaisler-Salomon I. Differential effects of social isolation in adolescent and adult mice on behavior and cortical gene expression. Behav Brain Res 2016; 316:245-254. [PMID: 27618762 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Intact function of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) function relies on proper development of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal populations and on integral myelination processes. Social isolation (SI) affects behavior and brain circuitry in adulthood, but previous rodent studies typically induced prolonged (post-weaning) exposure and failed to directly compare between the effects of SI in adolescent and adulthood. Here, we assessed the impact of a 3-week SI period, starting in mid-adolescence (around the onset of puberty) or adulthood, on a wide range of behaviors in adult male mice. Additionally, we asked whether adolescent SI would differentially affect the expression of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal markers and myelin-related genes in mPFC. Our findings indicate that mid-adolescent or adult SI increase anxiogenic behavior and locomotor activity. However, SI in adolescence uniquely affects the response to the psychotomimetic drug amphetamine, social and novelty exploration and performance in reversal and attentional set shifting tasks. Furthermore, adolescent but not adult SI increased the expression of glutamate markers in the adult mPFC. Our results imply that adolescent social deprivation is detrimental for normal development and may be particularly relevant to the investigation of developmental psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon S Lander
- Haifa University, Psychology Dept., 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Donna Linder-Shacham
- Haifa University, Psychology Dept., 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Inna Gaisler-Salomon
- Haifa University, Psychology Dept., 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; Columbia University, Neuroscience Dept., 1051 Riverside Drive 10032, USA.
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19
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Individual difference in prepulse inhibition does not predict spatial learning and memory performance in C57BL/6 mice. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 15:878-88. [PMID: 25893564 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-015-0356-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The startle reflex to an intense acoustic pulse stimulus is attenuated if the pulse stimulus is shortly preceded by a weak non-startling prepulse stimulus. This attenuation of the startle reflex represents a form of pre-attentional sensory gating known as prepulse inhibition (PPI). Although PPI does not require learning, its expression is regulated by higher cognitive processes. PPI deficits have been detected in several psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia where they co-exist with cognitive deficits. A potential link between PPI expression and cognitive performance has therefore been suggested such that poor PPI may predict, or may be mechanistically linked to, overt cognitive impairments. A positive relationship between PPI and strategy formation, planning efficiency, and execution speed has been observed in healthy humans. However, parallel studies in healthy animals are rare. It thus remains unclear what cognitive domains may be associated with, or orthogonal to, sensory gating in the form of PPI in healthy animals. The present study evaluated a potential link between the magnitude of PPI and spatial memory performance by comparing two subgroups of animals differing substantially in baseline PPI expression (low-PPI vs high-PPI) within a homogenous cohort of 100 male adult C57BL/6 mice. Assessment of spatial reference memory in the Morris water maze and spatial recognition memory in the Y-maze failed to reveal any difference between low-PPI and high-PPI subjects. These negative findings contrast with our previous reports that individual difference in PPI correlated with sustained attention and working memory performance in C57BL/6 mice.
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20
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Sex differences in animal models of schizophrenia shed light on the underlying pathophysiology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 67:41-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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21
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Talani G, Biggio F, Licheri V, Locci V, Biggio G, Sanna E. Isolation Rearing Reduces Neuronal Excitability in Dentate Gyrus Granule Cells of Adolescent C57BL/6J Mice: Role of GABAergic Tonic Currents and Neurosteroids. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:158. [PMID: 27378855 PMCID: PMC4904037 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life exposure to stress, by impacting on a brain still under development, is considered a critical factor for the increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders and abuse of psychotropic substances during adulthood. As previously reported, rearing C57BL/6J weanling mice in social isolation (SI) from their peers for several weeks, a model of prolonged stress, is associated with a decreased plasma and brain levels of neuroactive steroids such as 3α,5α-THP, with a parallel up-regulation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (GABAAR) in dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells compared to group-housed (GH) mice. In the present study, together with the SI-induced decrease in plasma concentration of both progesterone and 3α,5α-THP, and an increase in THIP-stimulated GABAergic tonic currents, patch-clamp analysis of DG granule cells revealed a significant decrease in membrane input resistance and action potential (AP) firing rate, in SI compared to GH mice, suggesting that SI exerts an inhibitory action on neuronal excitability of these neurons. Voltage-clamp recordings of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) revealed a SI-associated decrease in frequency as well as a shift from paired-pulse (PP) depression to PP facilitation (PPF) of evoked EPSCs, indicative of a reduced probability of glutamate release. Daily administration of progesterone during isolation reverted the changes in plasma 3α,5α-THP as well as in GABAergic tonic currents and neuronal excitability caused by SI, but it had only a limited effect on the changes in the probability of presynaptic glutamate release. Overall, the results obtained in this work, together with those previously published, indicate that exposure of mice to SI during adolescence reduces neuronal excitability of DG granule cells, an effect that may be linked to the increased GABAergic tonic currents as a consequence of the sustained decrease in plasma and hippocampal levels of neurosteroids. All these changes may be consistent with cognitive deficits observed in animals exposed to such type of prolonged stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Talani
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Biggio
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato Italy
| | - Valentina Licheri
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato Italy
| | - Valentina Locci
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Biggio
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of ItalyMonserrato, Cagliari, Italy; Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, MonserratoItaly
| | - Enrico Sanna
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of ItalyMonserrato, Cagliari, Italy; Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, MonserratoItaly
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22
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A two-hit model of suicide-trait-related behaviors in the context of a schizophrenia-like phenotype: Distinct effects of lithium chloride and clozapine. Physiol Behav 2016; 156:48-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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23
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Powell SB, Swerdlow NR. Social Isolation Rearing and Sensorimotor Gating in Rat Models of Relevance to Schizophrenia. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800981-9.00009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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24
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Role of Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins in Testicular Function and Male Fertility: Effects of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Administration in Experimental Varicocele. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:248976. [PMID: 26347229 PMCID: PMC4539425 DOI: 10.1155/2015/248976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) and survivin might play an important role in testicular function. We investigated the effect of PDRN, an agonist of adenosine A2A receptor, on testicular NAIP and survivin expression in an experimental model of varicocele. After the creation of experimental varicocele (28 days), adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to one of the following treatments lasting 21 days: vehicle, PDRN (8 mg/kg i.p., daily), PDRN + 3,7-dimethyl-propargylxanthine (DMPX, a specific adenosine A2A-receptor antagonist, 0.1 mg/kg i.p., daily), varicocelectomy, and varicocelectomy + PDRN (8 mg/kg i.p., daily). Sham-operated animals were used as controls. Animals were then euthanized and testis expression of NAIP and survivin was evaluated through qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. Spermatogenetic activity was also assessed. NAIP and survivin expressions were significantly reduced following varicocele induction when compared to sham animals whereas PDRN-treated rats showed an increase in NAIP and survivin levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed an enhanced expression of NAIP and survivin with a characteristic pattern of cellular localization following PDRN treatment. Moreover, administration of PDRN significantly restored spermatogenic function in varicocele rats. PDRN may represent a rational therapeutic option for accelerating recovery from depressed testicular function through a strategic modulation of apoptosis in experimental varicocele.
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Yang SS, Huang CL, Chen HE, Tung CS, Shih HP, Liu YP. Effects of SPAK knockout on sensorimotor gating, novelty exploration, and brain area-dependent expressions of NKCC1 and KCC2 in a mouse model of schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 61:30-6. [PMID: 25797415 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
SPAK (Sterile 20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase) is a protein kinase belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily that has been found to be extensively distributed across the body. The SPAK downstream substrates NKCC1 and KCC2 in the central nervous system are important in the interpretation of developmental mental disorders. The present study aimed to clarify the role of SPAK-NKCC1/KCC2 using a rodent schizophrenia-like model. The mouse paradigm of isolation rearing (IR) was employed, as it simulates the sensorimotor gating abnormalities of schizophrenia. SPAK transgenic mice were used and were divided into four groups: social-wild type, social-SPAK(-/-), isolation-wild type, and isolation-SPAK(-/-). The prepulse inhibition (PPI) test and the novel object recognition test (NORT) were used to measure schizophrenia-associated dysfunctions in gating ability and the novelty recognition, respectively. Finally, the protein expressions of NKCC1/KCC2 in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were detected to determine correlations with the behavioral data. Our results demonstrated that SPAK-null mice had superior PPI and novelty recognition relative to wild type controls, with a concomitant increase in KCC2 in the prefrontal cortex. IR disrupted PPI and NORT performances with an associated increase in KCC2. Furthermore, rearing environment and gene manipulation had mutually interactive effects, as the IR-induced effects on PPI and NORT were reversed by SPAK knockout, and the increase in KCC2 and the decreased in the NKCC1/KCC2 ratio in the prefrontal cortex induced by SPAK knockout were reversed by IR. Our data supported the gene-environment hypothesis and demonstrated the potential value of SPAK manipulation in future schizophrenia studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Sen Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Lin Huang
- Medical Research Center, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huei-E Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Che-Se Tung
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Medical Research and Education, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Peng Shih
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yia-Ping Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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26
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Moriya Y, Kasahara Y, Hall FS, Sakakibara Y, Uhl GR, Tomita H, Sora I. Sex differences in the effects of adolescent social deprivation on alcohol consumption in μ-opioid receptor knockout mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:1471-82. [PMID: 25363463 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3784-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Evidence based on clinical and experimental animal studies indicates that adolescent social deprivation influences alcohol consumption in a sex-dependent manner, perhaps by influencing stress responses. However, the mechanisms underlying the interaction between these phenomena remain to be elucidated. Since the μ-opioid receptor (MOP) has been reported to have key roles in social stress responses as well as the reinforcing/addictive effects of ethanol, MOP is a candidate molecule that may link adolescent social deprivation and subsequent alterations in alcohol consumption. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the involvement of MOP and social isolation-induced changes in alcohol consumption, as well as the effect of sex differences on responses to social isolation, alcohol consumption was assessed using a two-bottle home-cage consumption procedure (8 % ethanol vs. water) in MOP knockout (MOP-KO) and wild type (WT) mice of both sexes exposed to adolescent social deprivation or reared socially. RESULTS Isolation rearing had no effects upon alcohol consumption of WT mice, whereas it significantly altered alcohol consumption in both male and female MOP-KO mice. Interestingly, social isolation affected ethanol consumption differently in male and female mice. Ethanol consumption was increased in male MOP-KO mice, but decreased in female MOP-KO mice, by isolation rearing. CONCLUSION These results indicate that disturbances of MOP function influence the effects of isolation rearing on ethanol consumption in a sex-dependent manner. Consequently, this suggests the possibility that genetic variation that influences MOP function may have differential roles in alcoholism in men and women, and alcoholism treatments that target MOP function may be differentially effective in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Moriya
- Department of Biological Psychiatry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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27
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Liu JH, You QL, Wei MD, Wang Q, Luo ZY, Lin S, Huang L, Li SJ, Li XW, Gao TM. Social Isolation During Adolescence Strengthens Retention of Fear Memories and Facilitates Induction of Late-Phase Long-Term Potentiation. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 52:1421-1429. [PMID: 25860250 PMCID: PMC4588096 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8917-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation during the vulnerable period of adolescence produces emotional dysregulation that often manifests as abnormal behavior in adulthood. The enduring consequence of isolation might be caused by a weakened ability to forget unpleasant memories. However, it remains unclear whether isolation affects unpleasant memories. To address this, we used a model of associative learning to induce the fear memories and evaluated the influence of isolation mice during adolescence on the subsequent retention of fear memories and its underlying cellular mechanisms. Following adolescent social isolation, we found that mice decreased their social interaction time and had an increase in anxiety-related behavior. Interestingly, when we assessed memory retention, we found that isolated mice were unable to forget aversive memories when tested 4 weeks after the original event. Consistent with this, we observed that a single train of high-frequency stimulation (HFS) enabled a late-phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region of isolated mice, whereas only an early-phase LTP was observed with the same stimulation in the control mice. Social isolation during adolescence also increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus, and application of a tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor inhibitor ameliorated the facilitated L-LTP seen after isolation. Together, our results suggest that adolescent isolation may result in mental disorders during adulthood and that this may stem from an inability to forget the unpleasant memories via BDNF-mediated synaptic plasticity. These findings may give us a new strategy to prevent mental disorders caused by persistent unpleasant memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qiang-Long You
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Mei-Dan Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zheng-Yi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Song Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shu-Ji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. .,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Kercmar J, Tobet SA, Majdic G. Social isolation during puberty affects female sexual behavior in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:337. [PMID: 25324747 PMCID: PMC4179611 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to stress during puberty can lead to long-term behavioral alterations in adult rodents coincident with sex steroid hormone-dependent brain remodeling and reorganization. Social isolation is a stress for social animals like mice, but little is known about the effects of such stress during adolescence on later reproductive behaviors. The present study examined sexual behavior of ovariectomized, estradiol and progesterone primed female mice that were individually housed from 25 days of age until testing at approximately 95 days, or individually housed from day 25 until day 60 (during puberty), followed by housing in social groups. Mice in these isolated groups were compared to females that were group housed throughout the experiment. Receptive sexual behaviors of females and behaviors of stimulus males were recorded. Females housed in social groups displayed greater levels of receptive behaviors in comparison to both socially isolated groups. Namely, social females had higher lordosis quotients (LQs) and more often displayed stronger lordosis postures in comparison to isolated females. No differences between female groups were observed in stimulus male sexual behavior suggesting that female "attractiveness" was not affected by their social isolation. Females housed in social groups had fewer cells containing immunoreactive estrogen receptor (ER) α in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) than both isolated groups. These results suggest that isolation during adolescence affects female sexual behavior and re-socialization for 1 month in adulthood is insufficient to rescue lordosis behavior from the effects of social isolation during the pubertal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Kercmar
- Veterinary Faculty, Center for Animal Genomics, University of Ljubljana Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stuart A Tobet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Gregor Majdic
- Veterinary Faculty, Center for Animal Genomics, University of Ljubljana Ljubljana, Slovenia ; Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Maribor Maribor, Slovenia
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Müller I, Obata K, Richter-Levin G, Stork O. GAD65 haplodeficiency conveys resilience in animal models of stress-induced psychopathology. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:265. [PMID: 25147515 PMCID: PMC4124590 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAergic mechanisms are critically involved in the control of fear and anxiety, but their role in the development of stress-induced psychopathologies, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mood disorders is not sufficiently understood. We studied these functions in two established mouse models of risk factors for stress-induced psychopathologies employing variable juvenile stress and/or social isolation. A battery of emotional tests in adulthood revealed the induction of contextually generalized fear, anxiety, hyperarousal and depression-like symptoms in these paradigms. These reflect the multitude and complexity of stress effects in human PTSD patients. With factor analysis we were able to identify parameters that reflect these different behavioral domains in stressed animals and thus provide a basis for an integrated scoring of affectedness more closely resembling the clinical situation than isolated parameters. To test the applicability of these models to genetic approaches we further tested the role of GABA using heterozygous mice with targeted mutation of the GABA synthesizing enzyme GAD65 [GAD65(+/−) mice], which show a delayed postnatal increase in tissue GABA content in limbic and cortical brain areas. Unexpectedly, GAD65(+/−) mice did not show changes in exploratory activity regardless of the stressor type and were after the variable juvenile stress procedure protected from the development of contextual generalization in an auditory fear conditioning experiment. Our data demonstrate the complex nature of behavioral alterations in rodent models of stress-related psychopathologies and suggest that GAD65 haplodeficiency, likely through its effect on the postnatal maturation of GABAergic transmission, conveys resilience to some of these stress-induced effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Müller
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kunihiko Obata
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Gal Richter-Levin
- Department of Neurobiology and Ethology and Department of Psychology, Institute for the Study of Affective Neuroscience, University of Haifa Haifa, Israel
| | - Oliver Stork
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany ; Center for Behavioural Brain Sciences Magdeburg, Germany
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Marriott AL, Tasker RA, Ryan CL, Doucette TA. Neonatal domoic acid abolishes latent inhibition in male but not female rats and has differential interactions with social isolation. Neurosci Lett 2014; 578:22-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Herrmann AP, Benvenutti R, Pilz LK, Elisabetsky E. N-acetylcysteine prevents increased amphetamine sensitivity in social isolation-reared mice. Schizophr Res 2014; 155:109-11. [PMID: 24725851 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Treating individuals at risk to develop schizophrenia may be strategic to delay or prevent transition to psychosis. We verified the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia. C57 mice were reared in isolation or social groups and treated with NAC from postnatal day 42-70; the locomotor response to amphetamine was assessed at postnatal day 81. NAC treatment in isolated mice prevented the hypersensitivity to amphetamine, suggesting neuroprotection relevant to striatal dopamine. Considering its safety and tolerability profile, complementary studies are warranted to further evaluate the usefulness of NAC to prevent conversion to schizophrenia in at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P Herrmann
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Radharani Benvenutti
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Luísa K Pilz
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Elaine Elisabetsky
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Hyperlocomotor activity and stress vulnerability during adulthood induced by social isolation after early weaning are prevented by voluntary running exercise before normal weaning period. Behav Brain Res 2014; 264:197-206. [PMID: 24534713 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In rodents, the disruption of social-rearing conditions before normal weaning induces emotional behavioral abnormalities, such as anxiety, motor activity dysregulation, and stress vulnerability. The beneficial effects of exercise after normal weaning on emotional regulation have been well documented. However, effects of exercise before normal weaning on emotion have not been reported. We examined whether voluntary wheel running (R) during social isolation after early weaning (early weaning/isolation; EI) from postnatal day (PD) 14-30 could prevent EI-induced emotional behavioral abnormalities in Sprague-Dawley rats. Compared with control rats reared with their dam and siblings until PD30, rats performed R during EI (EI+R) and EI rats demonstrated greater locomotion and lower grooming activity in the open-field test (OFT) during the juvenile period. Juvenile EI ± R rats showed greater learned helplessness (LH) after exposure to inescapable stress (IS; electric foot shock) than IS-exposed control and EI rats. In contrast, EI rats showed increased locomotion in the OFT and LH after exposure to IS compared with control rats during adulthood; this was not observed in EI ± R rats. Both EI and EI ± R rats exhibited greater rearing activity in the OFT than controls during adulthood. EI did not increase anxiety in the OFT and elevated plus-maze. These results suggested that R during EI until normal weaning prevented some of the EI-induced behavioral abnormalities, including hyperlocomotor activity and greater LH, during adulthood but not in the juvenile period.
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Gan JO, Bowline E, Lourenco FS, Pickel VM. Adolescent social isolation enhances the plasmalemmal density of NMDA NR1 subunits in dendritic spines of principal neurons in the basolateral amygdala of adult mice. Neuroscience 2013; 258:174-83. [PMID: 24231734 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation during the vulnerable period of adolescence produces emotional dysregulation manifested by abnormalities in adult behaviors that require emotional processing. The affected brain regions may include the basolateral amygdala (BLA), where plasticity of glutamatergic synapses in principal neurons plays a role in conditioned emotional responses. This plasticity is dependent on NMDA receptor trafficking denoted by intracellular mobilization of the obligatory NR1 NMDA subunit. We tested the hypothesis that the psychosocial stress of adolescent social isolation (ASI) produces a lasting change in NMDA receptor distribution in principal neurons in the BLA of adults that express maladaptive emotional responses to sensory cues. For this, we used behavioral testing and dual electron microscopic immunolabeling of NR1 and calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), a protein predominantly expressed in principal neurons of the BLA in adult C57Bl/6 mice housed in isolation or in social groups from post-weaning day 22 until adulthood (∼3 months of age). The isolates showed persistent deficits in sensorimotor gating evidenced by altered prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle and hyperlocomotor activity in a novel environment. Immunogold-silver labeling for NR1 alone or together with CaMKII was seen in many somatodendritic profiles in the BLA of all mice irrespective of rearing conditions. However, isolates compared with group-reared mice had a significantly lower cytoplasmic (4.72 ± 0.517 vs 6.31 ± 0.517) and higher plasmalemmal (0.397 ± 0.0779 vs 0.216 ± 0.026) density of NR1 immunogold particles in CaMKII-containing dendritic spines. There was no rearing-dependent difference in the size or number of these spines or those of other dendritic profiles within the neuropil, which also failed to show an impact of ASI on NR1 immunogold labeling. These results provide the first evidence that ASI enhances the surface trafficking of NMDA receptors in dendritic spines of principal neurons in the BLA of adult mice showing maladaptive behaviors that are consistent with emotional dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J O Gan
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - E Bowline
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - F S Lourenco
- Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - V M Pickel
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Swerdlow NR, Light GA, Trim RS, Breier MR, Hines SR, Powell SB. Forebrain gene expression predicts deficits in sensorimotor gating after isolation rearing in male rats. Behav Brain Res 2013; 257:118-28. [PMID: 24076151 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Compared to socially housed (SH) rats, adult isolation-reared (IR) rats exhibit phenotypes relevant to schizophrenia (SZ), including reduced prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle. PPI is normally regulated by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAC). We assessed PPI, auditory-evoked local field potentials (LFPs) and expression of seven PPI- and SZ-related genes in the mPFC and NAC, in IR and SH rats. Buffalo (BUF) rats were raised in same-sex groups of 2-3 (SH) or in isolation (IR). PPI was measured early (d53) and later in adulthood (d74); LFPs were measured approximately on d66. Brains were processed for RT-PCR measures of mPFC and NAC expression of Comt, Erbb4, Grid2, Ncam1, Slc1a2, Nrg1 and Reln. Male IR rats exhibited PPI deficits, most pronounced at d53; male and female IR rats had significantly elevated startle magnitude on both test days. Gene expression levels were not significantly altered by IR. PPI levels (d53) were positively correlated with mPFC expression of several genes, and negatively correlated with NAC expression of several genes, in male IR but not SH rats. Late (P90) LFP amplitudes correlated significantly with expression levels of 6/7 mPFC genes in male rats, independent of rearing. After IR that disrupts early adult PPI in male BUF rats, expression levels of PPI- and SZ-associated genes in the mPFC correlate positively with PPI, and levels in the NAC correlate negatively with PPI. These results support the model that specific gene-behavior relationships moderate the impact of early-life experience on SZ-linked behavioral and neurophysiological markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal R Swerdlow
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA.
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35
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Hall FS, Perona MTG. Have studies of the developmental regulation of behavioral phenotypes revealed the mechanisms of gene-environment interactions? Physiol Behav 2012; 107:623-40. [PMID: 22643448 PMCID: PMC3447116 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This review addresses the recent convergence of our long-standing knowledge of the regulation of behavioral phenotypes by developmental experience with recent advances in our understanding of mechanisms regulating gene expression. This review supports a particular perspective on the developmental regulation of behavioral phenotypes: That the role of common developmental experiences (e.g. maternal interactions, peer interactions, exposure to a complex environment, etc.) is to fit individuals to the circumstances of their lives within bounds determined by long-standing (evolutionary) mechanisms that have shaped responses to critical and fundamental types of experience via those aspects of gene structure that regulate gene expression. The phenotype of a given species is not absolute for a given genotype but rather variable within bounds that is determined by mechanisms regulated by experience (e.g. epigenetic mechanisms). This phenotypic variation is not necessarily random, or evenly distributed along a continuum of description or measurement, but often highly disjointed, producing distinct, even opposing, phenotypes. The potentiality for these varying phenotypes is itself the product of evolution, the potential for alternative phenotypes itself conveying evolutionary advantage. Examples of such phenotypic variation, resulting from environmental or experiential influences, have a long history of study in neurobiology, and a number of these will be discussed in this review: neurodevelopmental experiences that produce phenotypic variation in visual perception, cognitive function, and emotional behavior. Although other examples will be discussed, particular emphasis will be made on the role of social behavior on neurodevelopment and phenotypic determination. It will be argued that an important purpose of some aspects of social behavior is regulation of neurobehavioral phenotypes by experience via genetic regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Scott Hall
- Molecular Neurobiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassel Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States.
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36
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Ouchi H, Ono K, Murakami Y, Matsumoto K. Social isolation induces deficit of latent learning performance in mice: a putative animal model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Behav Brain Res 2012; 238:146-53. [PMID: 23103401 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation of rodents (SI) elicits a variety of stress responses such as increased aggressiveness, hyper-locomotion, and reduced susceptibility to pentobarbital. To obtain a better understanding of the relevance of SI-induced behavioral abnormalities to psychiatric disorders, we examined the effect of SI on latent learning as an index of spatial attention, and discussed the availability of SI as an epigenetic model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Except in specially stated cases, 4-week-old male mice were housed in a group or socially isolated for 3-70 days before experiments. The animals socially isolated for 1 week or more exhibited spatial attention deficit in the water-finding test. Re-socialized rearing for 5 weeks after 1-week SI failed to attenuate the spatial attention deficit. The effect of SI on spatial attention showed no gender difference or correlation with increased aggressive behavior. Moreover, SI had no effect on cognitive performance elucidated in a modified Y-maze or an object recognition test, but it significantly impaired contextual and conditional fear memory elucidated in the fear-conditioning test. Drugs used for ADHD therapy, methylphenidate (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) and caffeine (0.5-1 mg/kg, i.p.), improved SI-induced latent learning deficit in a manner reversible with cholinergic but not dopaminergic antagonists. Considering the behavioral features of SI mice together with their susceptibility to ADHD drugs, the present findings suggest that SI provides an epigenetic animal model of ADHD and that central cholinergic systems play a role in the effect of methylphenidate on SI-induced spatial attention deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirofumi Ouchi
- Division of Medicinal Pharmacology, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
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37
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Early development of social deficits in APP and APP-PS1 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:1002.e17-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Powell SB, Sejnowski TJ, Behrens MM. Behavioral and neurochemical consequences of cortical oxidative stress on parvalbumin-interneuron maturation in rodent models of schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology 2012; 62:1322-31. [PMID: 21315745 PMCID: PMC3106123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2010] [Revised: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress, in response to the activation of the superoxide-producing enzyme Nox2, has been implicated in the schizophrenia-like behavioral dysfunction that develops in animals that were subject to either neonatal NMDA receptor-antagonist treatment or social isolation. In both of these animal models of schizophrenia, an environmental insult occurring during the period of active maturation of the fast-spiking parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneuronal circuit leads to a diminished expression of parvalbumin in GABA-inhibitory neurons when animals reach adulthood. The loss of PV+ interneurons in animal models had been tentatively attributed to the death of these neurons. However, present results show that for the perinatal NMDA-R antagonist model these interneurons are still alive when animals are 5-6 weeks of age even though they have lost their phenotype and no longer express parvalbumin. Alterations in parvalbumin expression and sensory-evoked gamma-oscillatory activity, regulated by PV+ interneurons, are consistently observed in schizophrenia. We propose that cortical networks consisting of faulty PV+ interneurons interacting with pyramidal neurons may be responsible for the aberrant oscillatory activity observed in schizophrenia. Thus, oxidative stress during the maturation window for PV+ interneurons by alteration of normal brain development, leads to the emergence of schizophrenia-like behavioral dysfunctions when subjects reach early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan B. Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, MC0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804
| | - Terrence J. Sejnowski
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093
| | - M. Margarita Behrens
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037
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Singer P, Yee BK. Reversal of scopolamine-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition by clozapine in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 101:107-14. [PMID: 22210488 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex refers to the reduction of the startle response to an intense acoustic pulse stimulus when it is shortly preceded by a weak non-startling prepulse stimulus and provides a cross-species measure of sensory-motor gating. PPI is typically impaired in schizophrenia patients, and a similar impairment can be induced in rats by systemic scopolamine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist that can evoke a range of cognitive and psychotic symptoms in healthy humans that are commonly referred to as the "anti-muscarinic syndrome" resembling some clinical features of schizophrenia. Scopolamine-induced PPI disruption has therefore been proposed as an anti-muscarinic animal model of schizophrenia, but parallel investigations in the mouse remain scant and the outcomes are mixed and often confounded by an elevation of startle reactivity. Here, we distinguished the PPI-disruptive and the confounding startle-enhancing effects of scopolamine (1 and 10mg/kg, i.p.) in C57BL/6 wild-type mice by showing that the latter partly stemmed from a shift in spontaneous baseline reactivity. With appropriate correction for between-group differences in startle reactivity, we went on to confirm that the PPI-disruptive effect of scopolamine could be nullified by clozapine pre-treatment (1.5mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first demonstration that scopolamine-induced PPI disruption is sensitive to atypical antipsychotic drugs. In concert with previous data showing its sensitivity to haloperidol the present finding supports the predictive validity of the anti-muscarinic PPI disruption model for both typical and atypical antipsychotic drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Singer
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neurobiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Schorenstrasse 16, CH 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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Evaluation of social and physical enrichment in modulation of behavioural phenotype in C57BL/6J female mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24755. [PMID: 21931844 PMCID: PMC3169619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Housing conditions represent an important environmental variable playing a critical role in the assessment of mouse behaviour. In the present study the effects of isolation and nesting material on the behaviour of female C57BL/6J mice were evaluated. The mice were subjected to different rearing conditions from weaning (at the age of 3 weeks). The study groups were group- and single-housed mice, divided further into groups with or without nesting material (species-specific enrichment). After 8 weeks spent in respective conditions the behavioural testing began. Both factors (social conditions and nesting material) appeared to have a significant impact on the behavioural phenotype. However, it is important to stress that the interaction between the factors was virtually absent. We established that isolation increased locomotor activity and reduced anxiety-like behaviour in several tests of exploration. In contrast, absence of nesting material increased anxiety-like behaviour. Neither factor affected rota-rod performance, nociception and prepulse inhibition. Contextual fear memory was significantly reduced in single-housed mice, and interestingly, in mice with nesting material. Cued fear memory was reduced by single-housing, but not affected by enrichment. Mice from enriched cages displayed faster and better learning and spatial search strategy in the water maze. In contrast, isolation caused significant impairment in the water maze. In conclusion, both isolation and species-specific enrichment have profound effects on mouse behaviour and should be considered in design of the experiments and in assessment of animal welfare issues.
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Pietropaolo S, Crusio WE. Strain-dependent changes in acoustic startle response and its plasticity across adolescence in mice. Behav Genet 2011; 39:623-31. [PMID: 19641985 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-009-9291-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2009] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic startle response and its plasticity, e.g., habituation and prepulse inhibition (PPI), have been extensively investigated, being altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet, little is known about the expression of startle-related behaviors during adolescence, a critical phase in the development of a variety of major neuropsychiatric pathologies. The present study investigated for the first time startle behaviors across adolescence in male mice of the inbred strains C57BL/6J and DBA/2J. Pre-pubertal (4 weeks of age) mice displayed reduced startle reactivity and altered PPI compared to adult animals (8 weeks of age), but these effects were observed only in the C57BL/6J strain. Strain differences were also clearly detected for startle response, habituation, and PPI. All effects were modulated by the intensity of the pulse stimulus and were not confounded by differences in anxiety levels. Our data demonstrate that genetic factors and the early adolescent phase are critically important considerations in the design of mouse models of neuropsychiatric disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pietropaolo
- Centre de Neurosciences Intégratives et Cognitives UMR 5228, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS, Bat B2, Avenue des Facultés, 33405 Talence Cedex, France
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Pietropaolo S, Delage P, Cayzac S, Crusio WE, Cho YH. Sex-dependent changes in social behaviors in motor pre-symptomatic R6/1 mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19965. [PMID: 21603578 PMCID: PMC3095644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The R6/1 mouse line is one of the most widely employed models of Huntington Disease (HD), a complex syndrome characterized by motor and non-motor deficits. Surprisingly, its behavioral phenotype during the early phases of the pathology when the motor impairments are not manifest yet has been poorly investigated. It is also not clear whether the expression of HD-like symptoms at the pre-motor stage in this mouse model differs between the two sexes. METHODS Male and female 12 weeks-old R6/1 mice and their wild-type littermates were tested on a battery of tests modeling some of the major neuropsychiatric non-motor symptoms of HD: alterations in social interest, social interaction and communication, as well as disturbances in prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (PPI) and circadian patterns of activity. The lack of motor symptoms was confirmed during the entire experimental period by means of the tail test for clasping. RESULTS R6/1 mice displayed marked alterations in all social behaviors which were mainly observed in males. Male R6/1 animals were also the only ones showing reduced body weight. Both male and female transgenic mice displayed mild alterations in the circadian activity patterns, but no deficits in PPI. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the validity of the R6/1 mouse in mimicking selected neuropsychiatric symptoms of HD, the social deficits being the clearest markers of the pre-motor phase of the pathology. Furthermore, our data suggest that male R6/1 mice are more suitable for future studies on the early stages of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pietropaolo
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
| | - Pauline Delage
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
| | - Sebastien Cayzac
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
| | - Wim E. Crusio
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
| | - Yoon H. Cho
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
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Naert A, Callaerts-Vegh Z, D'Hooge R. Nocturnal hyperactivity, increased social novelty preference and delayed extinction of fear responses in post-weaning socially isolated mice. Brain Res Bull 2011; 85:354-62. [PMID: 21501666 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Revised: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
When rodents are reared in isolation from young age onwards, they manifest a number of behavioural alterations in adulthood. Since some of these alterations resemble symptoms of psychiatric disorders, the post-weaning social isolation (ISO) manipulation is often applied to create rodent models of these disorders. In rats, ISO effects have been thoroughly characterised, but in mice they are less well documented. Therefore, we further evaluated behaviour of adult ISO mice with a test battery that focussed on abnormalities relevant to schizophrenia. We found that ISO mice were hyperactive during the dark phase. Also, ISO mice showed alterations in magnitude, habituation and prepulse-inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex, increased anxiety, increased social preference and changes in extinction of fear responses. We did not observe increased sensitivity to locomotor-activating effects of amphetamine. It is concluded that ISO of mice might serve as a useful model to test further hypotheses regarding pathogenesis occurring at specific developmental timeframes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Naert
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KULeuven, Tiensestraat 102, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Pietropaolo S, Guilleminot A, Martin B, D'Amato FR, Crusio WE. Genetic-background modulation of core and variable autistic-like symptoms in Fmr1 knock-out mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17073. [PMID: 21364941 PMCID: PMC3043074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND No animal models of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with good construct validity are currently available; using genetic models of pathologies characterized by ASD-like deficits, but with known causes, may be therefore a promising strategy. The Fmr1-KO mouse is an example of this approach, modeling Fragile X syndrome, a well-known genetic disorder presenting ASD symptoms. The Fmr1-KO is available on different genetic backgrounds (FVB versus C57BL/6), which may explain some of the conflicting results that have been obtained with these mutants up till now. METHODS Fmr1 KO and their wild-type littermates on both the FVB and C57BL/6 genetic backgrounds were examined on a battery of tests modeling the clinical symptoms of ASD, including the triad of core symptoms (alterations in social interaction and communication, presence of repetitive behaviors), as well as the secondary symptoms (disturbances in sensori-motor reactivity and in circadian patterns of activity, epileptic events). RESULTS Fmr1-KO mice displayed autistic-like core symptoms of altered social interaction and occurrence of repetitive behaviors with additional hyperactivity. The genetic background modulated the effects of the Fmr1 deletion and it appears that the C57BL/6 background may be more suitable for further research on core autistic-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The Fmr1-mouse line does not recapitulate all of the main core and secondary ASD symptoms, but still can be useful to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying specific ASD-like endophenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pietropaolo
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
| | - Aurélie Guilleminot
- Laboratoire Traitement du Signal et de L'Image, INSERM U642, Rennes, France
- Université de Rennes 1, LTSI, Rennes, France
| | - Benoît Martin
- Laboratoire Traitement du Signal et de L'Image, INSERM U642, Rennes, France
- Université de Rennes 1, LTSI, Rennes, France
| | - Francesca R. D'Amato
- Institute of Neurosciences, Italian National Research Council (CNR), via del Fosso di Fiorano 64/65, Rome, Italy
| | - Wim E. Crusio
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Université de Bordeaux and CNRS UMR 5287, Talence, France
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Möhler H, Boison D, Singer P, Feldon J, Pauly-Evers M, Yee BK. Glycine transporter 1 as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia-related symptoms: evidence from genetically modified mouse models and pharmacological inhibition. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 81:1065-77. [PMID: 21333635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterized by positive symptoms such as hallucinations, negative symptoms such as blunted affect, and symptoms of cognitive deficiency such as deficits in working memory and selective attention. N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction has been implicated in all three pathophysiological aspects of the disease. Due to the severe side effects of direct NMDAR agonists, targeting the modulatory co-agonist glycine-B site of the NMDAR is considered to be a promising strategy to ameliorate NMDAR hypofunction. To assess the antipsychotic and pro-cognitive potential of this approach, we examine the strategies designed to enhance glycine-B site occupancy through glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) blockade. Among the existing transgenic mouse models with GlyT1 deficits, the one specifically targeting forebrain neuronal GlyT1 has yielded the most promising data on cognitive enhancement. Parallel advances in the pharmacology of GlyT1 inhibition point not only to an enhancement of attention, learning and memory but also include suggestions of mood enhancing effects that might be valuable for treating negative symptoms. Thus, interventions at GlyT1 are highly effective in modifying multiple brain functions, and dissection of their respective mechanisms is expected to further maximize their therapeutic potential for human mental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanns Möhler
- Institute of Pharmacology, University and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Sanna E, Talani G, Obili N, Mascia MP, Mostallino MC, Secci PP, Pisu MG, Biggio F, Utzeri C, Olla P, Biggio G, Follesa P. Voluntary Ethanol Consumption Induced by Social Isolation Reverses the Increase of α(4)/δ GABA(A) Receptor Gene Expression and Function in the Hippocampus of C57BL/6J Mice. Front Neurosci 2011; 5:15. [PMID: 21347217 PMCID: PMC3039156 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2011.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-weaning social isolation (SI) is a model of prolonged mild stress characterized by behavioral and neurochemical alterations. We used SI in C57BL/6J mice to investigate the effects of ethanol (EtOH) in the free-choice drinking paradigm on gene expression and function of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) and the role of neuroactive steroids in the actions of EtOH in the hippocampus. SI stress induced a marked reduction in hippocampal 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-TH PROG) and was associated with molecular and functional changes of the GABAAR. The gene expression of the α4 and δ subunits was increased in the hippocampus of SI C57BL/6J mice; the expression of the γ2 subunit was decreased whereas that of the α1 did not change. Patch-clamp recordings in dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells obtained from SI C57BL/6J mice revealed a greater enhancement of tonic currents induced by α-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c] pyridin-3-ol (THIP) compared to that in control C57BL/6J mice. These neurochemical, molecular and functional changes observed in SI C57BL/6J mice were associated with an increased EtOH intake and EtOH preference. Nevertheless, the increase in EtOH consumption did not restore the reduction in hippocampal 3α,5α-TH PROG induced by SI. EtOH self-administration blocked the changes in gene expression of the α4 subunit but not those of the δ and γ2 subunits induced by SI. In addition, EtOH self-administration did not block the SI-induced changes in GABAAR-mediated tonic inhibition in hippocampal granule cells but increased the frequency of basal GABAergic sIPSCs in DG granule cells. We conclude that self-administration of EtOH selectively abolishes the increase of α4 subunit but not other neurochemical, molecular, and functional modifications induced by SI prolonged mild stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Sanna
- Section of Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Biology, Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Talani G, Biggio G, Sanna E. Enhanced Sensitivity to Ethanol-Induced Inhibition of LTP in CA1 Pyramidal Neurons of Socially Isolated C57BL/6J Mice: Role of Neurosteroids. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2011; 2:56. [PMID: 22649377 PMCID: PMC3355925 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol (EtOH) induced impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the rat hippocampus is prevented by the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride, suggesting that this effect of EtOH is dependent on the increased local release of neurosteroids such as 3α,5α-THP that promote GABA-mediated transmission. Given that social isolation (SI) in rodents is associated with altered plasma and brain levels of such neurosteroids as well as with an enhanced neurosteroidogenic action of EtOH, we examined whether the inhibitory effect of EtOH on LTP at CA3-CA1 hippocampal excitatory synapses is altered in C57BL/6J mice subjected to SI for 6 weeks in comparison with group-housed (GH) animals. Extracellular recording of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) as well as patch-clamp analysis were performed in hippocampal slices prepared from both SI and GH mice. Consistent with previous observations, recording of fEPSPs revealed that the extent of LTP induced in the CA1 region of SI mice was significantly reduced compared with that in GH animals. EtOH (40 mM) inhibited LTP in slices from SI mice but not in those from GH mice, and this effect of EtOH was abolished by co-application of 1 μM finasteride. Current-clamp analysis of CA1 pyramidal neurons revealed a decrease in action potential (AP) frequency and an increase in the intensity of injected current required to evoke the first AP in SI mice compared with GH mice, indicative of a decrease in neuronal excitability associated with SI. Together, our data suggest that SI results in reduced levels of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Furthermore, the increased sensitivity to the neurosteroidogenic effect of EtOH associated with SI likely accounts for the greater inhibitory effect of EtOH on LTP in SI mice. The increase in EtOH sensitivity induced by SI may be important for the changes in the effects of EtOH on anxiety and on learning and memory associated with the prolonged stress attributable to SI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Talani
- Section of Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Biology, Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, MonserratoCagliari, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Talani, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy. e-mail:
| | - Giovanni Biggio
- Section of Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Biology, Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, MonserratoCagliari, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy, MonserratoCagliari, Italy
| | - Enrico Sanna
- Section of Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Biology, Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, MonserratoCagliari, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy, MonserratoCagliari, Italy
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Effect of pre- versus post-weaning environmental disturbances on social behaviour in mice. Neurosci Lett 2011; 488:221-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 11/05/2010] [Accepted: 11/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Mouse models of neurological disorders—A comparison of heritable and acquired traits. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2010; 1802:785-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2010] [Revised: 05/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Dawe GS, Nagarajah R, Albert R, Casey DE, Gross KW, Ratty AK. Antipsychotic drugs dose-dependently suppress the spontaneous hyperactivity of the chakragati mouse. Neuroscience 2010; 171:162-72. [PMID: 20816926 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The chakragati (ckr) mouse has been proposed as a model of aspects of schizophrenia. The mice, created serendipitously as a result of a transgenic insertional mutation, exhibit spontaneous circling, hyperactivity, hypertone of the dopamine system, reduced social interactions, enlarged lateral ventricles, deficits in pre-pulse inhibition of acoustic startle and deficits in latent inhibition of conditioned learning. In this study, the dose-dependent effects of antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol, pimozide, risperidone, clozapine, olanzapine, ziprasidone, quetiapine and aripiprazole) on the spontaneous hyperactivity of the mice were investigated. All the antipsychotic drugs tested dose-dependently suppressed spontaneous hyperactivity. Aripriprazole, which is known to be a dopamine D2 receptor partial agonist, exhibited a tri-phasic dose-response, initially suppressing hyperactivity at low doses, having little effect on hyperactivity at intermediate doses, and suppressing activity again at high doses. These data suggest that the spontaneous circling and hyperactivity of the ckr mouse may allow screening of candidate antipsychotic compounds, distinguishing compounds with aripriprazole-like profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System and Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456.
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