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Khatsko SL, Zhdanov AV, Kravchenko DV, Nikiforova EV, Salimova NA, Kotova MM, Galstyan DS, de Abreu MS, Yang L, Stewart AM, Kalueff AV. The light-dark forced swim test for simultaneous assessment of behavioral 'despair' and anxiety-like behavior in female mice. Behav Brain Res 2025; 484:115492. [PMID: 39986616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2025.115492] [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: 09/16/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2025] [Accepted: 02/19/2025] [Indexed: 02/24/2025]
Abstract
Animal models are a valuable tool to study anxiety and depression, two common and severely debilitating brain disorders. Probing them experimentally typically relies on various rodent behavioral assays, such as the light-dark and the forced swim tests. However, the growing importance of testing novel CNS concepts and neuroactive drugs calls for further refinement of existing behavioral tests, as well as the development of new assays. One research strategy in this direction involves combining principles of several tests into one 'hybrid' assay. Using this approach, here we develop a novel 'hybrid' mouse assay, the light-dark forced swim test, combining features of the two conventional assays to simultaneously assess animal anxiety-like (light-dark preference during swimming) and depression-like behaviors ('despair'-like immobility). Overall, the anxiety-like dark preference of female white outbred mice in this test is sensitive to physiological anxiogenic stressors (daily swimming or administration of prednisolone and dexamethasone), whereas clinically active antidepressants (fluoxetine and paroxetine) reduce despair-like immobility in this test. Collectively, these findings suggest that this novel assay may simultaneously evaluate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, and can be applied to testing neuroactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey L Khatsko
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Alexander V Zhdanov
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Daria V Kravchenko
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V Nikiforova
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Natalya A Salimova
- Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Maria M Kotova
- Neuroscience Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius Federal Territory, Russia
| | - David S Galstyan
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Western Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan; Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Longen Yang
- Suzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Cell Signaling, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China; Department of Biosciences and Bioinformatics, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | | | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neuroscience Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius Federal Territory, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Suzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Cell Signaling, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China; Department of Biosciences and Bioinformatics, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.
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Soriano D, Brusco A, Caltana L. Further evidence of anxiety- and depression-like behavior for total genetic ablation of cannabinoid receptor type 1. Behav Brain Res 2020; 400:113007. [PMID: 33171148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is the most abundant cannabinoid receptor in central nervous system. Clinical studies and animal models have shown that the attenuation of endocannabinoid system signaling correlates with the development of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. In the present work, multiple behavioral tests were performed to evaluate behaviors related to anxiety and depression in CB1R+/- and CB1R-/-. CB1R+/- mice had anxiety-related behavior similar to wild type (CB1R+/+) mice, whereas CB1R-/- mice displayed an anxious-like phenotype, which indicates that lower expression of CB1R is sufficient to maintain the neural circuits modulating anxiety. In addition, CB1R-/- mice exhibited alterations in risk assessment and less exploration, locomotion, grooming, body weight and appetite. These phenotypic characteristics observed in CB1R-/- mice could be associated with symptoms observed in human psychiatric disorders such as depression. A better knowledge of the neuromodulatory role of CB1R may contribute to understand scope and limitations of the development of medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Soriano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, 1ª Unidad Académica del Departamento de Histología, Biología Celular, Embriología y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires. CONICET, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia Prof. E. de Robertis (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia Brusco
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, 1ª Unidad Académica del Departamento de Histología, Biología Celular, Embriología y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires. CONICET, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia Prof. E. de Robertis (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Caltana
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, 1ª Unidad Académica del Departamento de Histología, Biología Celular, Embriología y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires. CONICET, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia Prof. E. de Robertis (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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3Rs-based optimization of mice behavioral testing: The habituation/dishabituation olfactory test. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 332:108550. [PMID: 31838181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is clear evidence that most of the paradigms that are used in the field of behavioral neuroscience suffer from a lack of reliability mainly because of oversimplification of both testing procedures and interpretations. In the present study we show how an already existing behavioral test, the olfactory habituation / dishabituation task, can be optimized in such a way that animal number and animal distress could be minimized, number/confidence of behavioral outcomes and number of explored behavioral dimensions could be increased. NEW METHOD We used ethologically relevant technical and procedural changes associated with videotracking-based automated quantification of sniffing behavior to validate our new setup. Mainly internal and construct validity were challenged through the implementation of a series of simple experiments. RESULTS We show that the new version of the test: 1) has very good within and inter laboratory replicability, 2) is sensitive to some environmental / experimental factors while insensitive to others, 3) allows investigating hedonism, both state and trait anxiety, efficacy of anxiolytic molecules, acute stress, mental retardation-related social impairments and learning and memory. 4) We also show that interest for both nonsocial and social odors is stable over time which makes repetitive testing possible. CONCLUSIONS This work paves the way for future studies showing how behavioral tests / procedures may be improved by using ethologically relevant changes, in order to question laboratory animals more adequately. Refining behavioral tests may considerably increase predictivity of preclinical tests and, ultimately, help reinforcing translational research.
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Maximino C, van der Staay FJ. Behavioral models in psychopathology: epistemic and semantic considerations. Behav Brain Funct 2019; 15:1. [PMID: 30823933 PMCID: PMC6397463 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-019-0152-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of animals in neurosciences has a long history. It is considered indispensable in areas in which “translational” research is deemed invaluable, such as behavioral pharmacology and comparative psychology. Animal models are being used in pharmacology and genetics to screen for treatment targets, and in the field of experimental psychopathology to understand the neurobehavioral underpinnings of a disorder and of its putative treatment. The centrality of behavioral models betrays the complexity of the epistemic and semantic considerations which are needed to understand what a model is. In this review, such considerations are made, and the breadth of model building and evaluation approaches is extended to include theoretical considerations on the etiology of mental disorders. This expansion is expected to help improve the validity of behavioral models and to increase their translational value. Moreover, the role of theory in improving construct validity creates the need for behavioral scientists to fully engage this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Maximino
- Laboratório de Neurociências e Comportamento, Grupo de Pesquisas em Neurofarmacologia e Psicopatologia Experimental, Instituto de Estudos em Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Unidade III - Av. dos Ipês, S/N, Marabá, Brazil
| | - Franz Josef van der Staay
- Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Farm Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, University Utrecht, P.O.Box 80.151, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Demin KA, Sysoev M, Chernysh MV, Savva AK, Koshiba M, Wappler-Guzzetta EA, Song C, De Abreu MS, Leonard B, Parker MO, Harvey BH, Tian L, Vasar E, Strekalova T, Amstislavskaya TG, Volgin AD, Alpyshov ET, Wang D, Kalueff AV. Animal models of major depressive disorder and the implications for drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:365-378. [PMID: 30793996 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1575360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Depression is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects the global population and causes severe disabilities and suicide. Depression pathogenesis remains poorly understood, and the disorder is often treatment-resistant and recurrent, necessitating the development of novel therapies, models and concepts in this field. Areas covered: Animal models are indispensable for translational biological psychiatry, and markedly advance the study of depression. Novel approaches continuously emerge that may help untangle the disorder heterogeneity and unclear categories of disease classification systems. Some of these approaches include widening the spectrum of model species used for translational research, using a broader range of test paradigms, exploring new pathogenic pathways and biomarkers, and focusing more closely on processes beyond neural cells (e.g. glial, inflammatory and metabolic deficits). Expert opinion: Dividing the core symptoms into easily translatable, evolutionarily conserved phenotypes is an effective way to reevaluate current depression modeling. Conceptually novel approaches based on the endophenotype paradigm, cross-species trait genetics and 'domain interplay concept', as well as using a wider spectrum of model organisms and target systems will enhance experimental modeling of depression and antidepressant drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin A Demin
- a Institute of Experimental Medicine , Almazov National Medical Research Centre , St. Petersburg , Russia.,b Institute of Translational Biomedicine , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia
| | - Maxim Sysoev
- c Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening , Russian Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technologies , St. Petersburg , Russia.,d Institute of Experimental Medicine , St. Petersburg , Russia
| | - Maria V Chernysh
- b Institute of Translational Biomedicine , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia
| | - Anna K Savva
- e Faculty of Biology , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia
| | | | | | - Cai Song
- h Research Institute of Marine Drugs and Nutrition , Guangdong Ocean University , Zhanjiang , China.,i Marine Medicine Development Center, Shenzhen Institute , Guangdong Ocean University , Shenzhen , China
| | - Murilo S De Abreu
- j Bioscience Institute , University of Passo Fundo (UPF) , Passo Fundo , Brazil
| | | | - Matthew O Parker
- l Brain and Behaviour Lab , School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth , UK
| | - Brian H Harvey
- m Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences , Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University , Potchefstroom , South Africa
| | - Li Tian
- n Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Eero Vasar
- n Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- o Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, and Department of Normal Physiology , Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University , Moscow , Russia.,p Laboratory of Cognitive Dysfunctions , Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology , Moscow , Russia.,q Department of Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | | | - Andrey D Volgin
- g The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC) , Slidell , LA , USA.,r Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine , Novosibirsk , Russia
| | - Erik T Alpyshov
- s School of Pharmacy , Southwest University , Chongqing , China
| | - Dongmei Wang
- s School of Pharmacy , Southwest University , Chongqing , China
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- s School of Pharmacy , Southwest University , Chongqing , China.,t Almazov National Medical Research Centre , St. Petersburg , Russia.,u Ural Federal University , Ekaterinburg , Russia.,v Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies , St. Petersburg , Russia.,w Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia.,x Laboratory of Translational Biopsychiatry , Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine , Novosibirsk , Russia.,y ZENEREI Institute , Slidell , LA , USA.,z The International Stress and Behavior Society (ISBS), US HQ , New Orleans , LA , USA
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Abstract
Depression is a common psychiatric disorder, with diverse symptoms and high comorbidity with other brain dysfunctions. Due to this complexity, little is known about the neural and genetic mechanisms involved in depression pathogenesis. In a large proportion of patients, current antidepressant treatments are often ineffective and/or have undesirable side effects, fueling the search for more effective drugs. Animal models mimicking various symptoms of depression are indispensable in studying the biological mechanisms of this disease. Here, we summarize several popular methods for assessing depression-like symptoms in mice, and their utility in screening antidepressant drugs.
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Stewart AM, Nguyen M, Poudel MK, Warnick JE, Echevarria DJ, Beaton EA, Song C, Kalueff AV. The failure of anxiolytic therapies in early clinical trials: what needs to be done. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2015; 24:543-56. [PMID: 25727478 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2015.1019063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anxiety spectrum disorders (ASDs) are highly prevalent psychiatric illnesses that affect millions of people worldwide. Strongly associated with stress, common ASDs include generalized anxiety disorder, panic, social anxiety, phobias and drug-abuse-related anxiety. In addition to ASDs, several other prevalent psychiatric illnesses represent trauma/stressor-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder. Anxiolytic drugs, commonly prescribed to treat ASDs and trauma/stressor-related disorders, form a highly heterogenous group, modulating multiple neurotransmitters and physiological mechanisms. However, overt individual differences in efficacy and the potential for serious side-effects (including addiction and drug interaction) indicate a need for further drug development. Yet, over the past 50 years, there has been relatively little progress in the development of novel anxiolytic medications, especially when promising candidate drugs often fail in early clinical trials. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors present recommendations of the Task Force on Anxiolytic Drugs of the International Stress and Behavior Society on how to improve anxiolytic drug discovery. These recommendations cover a wide spectrum of aspects, ranging from methodological improvements to conceptual insights and innovation. EXPERT OPINION In order to improve the success of anxiolytic drugs in early clinical trials, the goals of preclinical trials may need to be adjusted from a clinical perspective and better synchronized with those of clinical studies. Indeed, it is important to realize that the strategic goals and approaches must be similar if we want to have a smoother transition between phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Michael Stewart
- ZENEREI Institute , 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA , USA +1 240 328 2275 ; +1 240 328 2275 ;
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Potential of a smartphone as a stress-free sensor of daily human behaviour. Behav Brain Res 2014; 276:181-9. [PMID: 24933187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Behaviour is one of the most powerful objective signals that connotes psychological functions regulated by neuronal network systems. This study searched for simple behaviours using smartphone sensors with three axes for measuring acceleration, angular speed and direction. We used quantitative analytic methodology of pattern recognition for work contexts, individual workers and seasonal effects in our own longitudinally recorded data. Our 13 laboratory members were involved in the care of common marmosets and domestic chicks, which lived in separate rooms. They attached a smartphone to their front waist-belts during feeding and cleaning in five care tasks. Behavioural characteristics such as speed, acceleration and azimuth, pitch, and roll angles were monitored. Afterwards, participants noted subjective scores of warmth sensation and work efficiency. The multivariate time series behavioral data were characterized by the subjective scores and environmental factors such as room temperature, season, and humidity, using the linear mixed model. In contrast to high-precision but stress-inducing sensors, the mobile sensors measuring daily behaviours allowed us to quantify the effects of the psychological states and environmental factors on the behavioural traits.
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Stewart AM, Braubach O, Spitsbergen J, Gerlai R, Kalueff AV. Zebrafish models for translational neuroscience research: from tank to bedside. Trends Neurosci 2014; 37:264-78. [PMID: 24726051 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 477] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is emerging as a new important species for studying mechanisms of brain function and dysfunction. Focusing on selected central nervous system (CNS) disorders (brain cancer, epilepsy, and anxiety) and using them as examples, we discuss the value of zebrafish models in translational neuroscience. We further evaluate the contribution of zebrafish to neuroimaging, circuit level, and drug discovery research. Outlining the role of zebrafish in modeling a wide range of human brain disorders, we also summarize recent applications and existing challenges in this field. Finally, we emphasize the potential of zebrafish models in behavioral phenomics and high-throughput genetic/small molecule screening, which is critical for CNS drug discovery and identifying novel candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Michael Stewart
- ZENEREI Institute and the International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Oliver Braubach
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seoul, 136791, Republic of Korea
| | - Jan Spitsbergen
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Nash Hall 220 Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, N Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- ZENEREI Institute and the International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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Kalueff AV, Nguyen M. Testing anxiolytic drugs in the C57BL/6J mouse strain. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2014; 69:205-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Mimura K, Nakamura S, Koshiba M. A flexion period for attachment formation in isolated chicks to unfamiliar peers visualized in a developmental trajectory space through behavioral multivariate correlation analysis. Neurosci Lett 2013; 547:70-5. [PMID: 23689249 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Attachment formation is crucial for social animals to survive in natural environments. Predisposition and imprinting mechanisms have been well documented as a process of con-specific affiliation development. However, it is unclear how neonatal stage attachment formation leads to juvenile peer sociality. Here we have developed an animal model (Gallus gallus domesticus) and a method of quantitative behavioral analysis, to study the developmental trajectory from postnatal day (P) 3 through to P21. Domestic chicks were raised in either group or isolated conditions and we focused on social behavior during a two-minute meeting context with unfamiliar group peers at P3, 7, 13, 16, and 21. Results showed that relative to isolated chicks, group reared chicks were more active behaviorally, when facing peers at P3 and that this activity declined slightly over development, up to P13. Isolated chicks that had not met any animals except humans, exhibited a major change in social behavior around P7, in particular, with increasing activity (head moving velocity and rotation velocity) and distress calls. This modulation disappeared after P13, suggesting the existence of a sensitive window for behavior toward peers around P7. These findings in isolated chicks suggest the maturation of new neuronal substrates for peer-social emotion and cognition, resulting in a new combination of behavioral modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Mimura
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Kalueff AV, Schmidt MV. Novel experimental models and paradigms for neuropsychiatric disorders: Editorial. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:1355-6. [PMID: 21184793 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Stewart A, Gaikwad S, Hart P, Kyzar E, Roth A, Kalueff AV. Experimental models for anxiolytic drug discovery in the era of omes and omics. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2011; 6:755-69. [PMID: 22650981 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2011.586028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Animal behavioral models have become an indispensable tool for studying anxiety disorders and testing anxiety-modulating drugs. However, significant methodological and conceptual challenges affect the translational validity and accurate behavioral dissection in such models. They are also often limited to individual behavioral domains and fail to target the disorder's real clinical picture (its spectrum or overlap with other disorders), which hinder screening and development of novel anxiolytic drugs. AREAS COVERED In this article, the authors discuss and emphasize the importance of high-throughput multi-domain neurophenotyping based on the latest developments in video-tracking and bioinformatics. Additionally, the authors also explain how bioinformatics can provide new insight into the neural substrates of brain disorders and its benefit for drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION The throughput and utility of animal models of anxiety and other brain disorders can be markedly increased by a number of ways: i) analyzing systems of several domains and their interplay in a wider spectrum of model species; ii) using a larger number of end points generated by video-tracking tools; iii) correlating behavioral data with genomic, proteomic and other physiologically relevant markers using online databases and iv) creating molecular network-based models of anxiety to identify new targets for drug design and discovery. Experimental models utilizing bioinformatics tools and online databases will not only improve our understanding of both gene-behavior interactions and complex trait interconnectivity but also highlight new targets for novel anxiolytic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Stewart
- Tulane University Medical School, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Program , Tulane Neurophenotyping Platform, SL-83, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 , USA +1 504 988 3354 ;
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Domain interplay in mice and men: New possibilities for the “natural kinds” theory of emotion. NEW IDEAS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.newideapsych.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Schulz D, Mirrione MM, Henn FA. Cognitive aspects of congenital learned helplessness and its reversal by the monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B inhibitor deprenyl. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2010; 93:291-301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Revised: 10/30/2009] [Accepted: 11/15/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Bergner CL, Smolinsky AN, Hart PC, Dufour BD, Egan RJ, Laporte JL, Kalueff AV. Mouse models for studying depression-like states and antidepressant drugs. Methods Mol Biol 2010; 602:267-282. [PMID: 20012404 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-058-8_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a common psychiatric disorder, with diverse symptoms and high comorbidity with other brain dysfunctions. Due to this complexity, little is known about the neural and genetic mechanisms involved in depression pathogenesis. In a large proportion of patients, current antidepressant treatments are often ineffective and/or have undesirable side effects, fueling the search for more effective drugs. Animal models mimicking various symptoms of depression are indispensable in studying the biological mechanisms of this disease. Here, we summarize several popular methods for assessing depression-like symptoms in mice and their utility in screening antidepressant drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carisa L Bergner
- Department of Physiology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC, USA
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How Many Ways Can Mouse Behavioral Experiments Go Wrong? Confounding Variables in Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases and How to Control Them. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0065-3454(10)41007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Antidepressant efficacy screening of novel targets in the chick anxiety-depression model. Behav Pharmacol 2009; 20:146-54. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e32832a8082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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van der Staay FJ, Arndt SS, Nordquist RE. Evaluation of animal models of neurobehavioral disorders. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2009; 5:11. [PMID: 19243583 PMCID: PMC2669803 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-5-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2008] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Animal models play a central role in all areas of biomedical research. The process of animal model building, development and evaluation has rarely been addressed systematically, despite the long history of using animal models in the investigation of neuropsychiatric disorders and behavioral dysfunctions. An iterative, multi-stage trajectory for developing animal models and assessing their quality is proposed. The process starts with defining the purpose(s) of the model, preferentially based on hypotheses about brain-behavior relationships. Then, the model is developed and tested. The evaluation of the model takes scientific and ethical criteria into consideration.Model development requires a multidisciplinary approach. Preclinical and clinical experts should establish a set of scientific criteria, which a model must meet. The scientific evaluation consists of assessing the replicability/reliability, predictive, construct and external validity/generalizability, and relevance of the model. We emphasize the role of (systematic and extended) replications in the course of the validation process. One may apply a multiple-tiered 'replication battery' to estimate the reliability/replicability, validity, and generalizability of result.Compromised welfare is inherent in many deficiency models in animals. Unfortunately, 'animal welfare' is a vaguely defined concept, making it difficult to establish exact evaluation criteria. Weighing the animal's welfare and considerations as to whether action is indicated to reduce the discomfort must accompany the scientific evaluation at any stage of the model building and evaluation process. Animal model building should be discontinued if the model does not meet the preset scientific criteria, or when animal welfare is severely compromised. The application of the evaluation procedure is exemplified using the rat with neonatal hippocampal lesion as a proposed model of schizophrenia.In a manner congruent to that for improving animal models, guided by the procedure expounded upon in this paper, the developmental and evaluation procedure itself may be improved by careful definition of the purpose(s) of a model and by defining better evaluation criteria, based on the proposed use of the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Josef van der Staay
- Program 'Emotion and Cognition', Department of Farm Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, PO Box 80166, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia S Arndt
- Division of Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals, Science and Society, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Rebecca E Nordquist
- Program 'Emotion and Cognition', Department of Farm Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, PO Box 80166, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Analysis of Grooming Behavior and Its Utility in Studying Animal Stress, Anxiety, and Depression. MOOD AND ANXIETY RELATED PHENOTYPES IN MICE 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-303-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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