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Wang X, Lee HK, Tong SX. Temporal dynamics and neural variabilities underlying the interplay between emotion and inhibition in Chinese autistic children. Brain Res 2024; 1840:149030. [PMID: 38821334 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the neural dynamics underlying the interplay between emotion and inhibition in Chinese autistic children. Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded from 50 autistic and 46 non-autistic children during an emotional Go/Nogo task. Based on single-trial ERP analyses, autistic children, compared to their non-autistic peers, showed a larger Nogo-N170 for angry faces and an increased Nogo-N170 amplitude variation for happy faces during early visual perception. They also displayed a smaller N200 for all faces and a diminished Nogo-N200 amplitude variation for happy and neutral faces during inhibition monitoring and preparation. During the late stage, autistic children showed a larger posterior-Go-P300 for angry faces and an augmented posterior-Nogo-P300 for happy and neutral faces. These findings clarify the differences in neural processing of emotional stimuli and inhibition between Chinese autistic and non-autistic children, highlighting the importance of considering these dynamics when designing intervention to improve emotion regulation in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Human Communication, Learning, and Development, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Hyun Kyung Lee
- Human Communication, Learning, and Development, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shelley Xiuli Tong
- Human Communication, Learning, and Development, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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2
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Shamay-Tsoory SG, Kanterman A. Away from the herd: loneliness as a dysfunction of social alignment. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae005. [PMID: 38287695 PMCID: PMC10873844 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The tendency of all humans to experience loneliness at some point in their lives implies that it serves an adaptive function. Building on biological theories of herding in animals, according to which collective movement emerges from local interactions that are based on principles of attraction, repulsion and alignment, we propose an approach that synthesizes these principles with theories of loneliness in humans. We present here the 'herding model of loneliness' that extends these principles into the psychological domain. We hold that these principles serve as basic building blocks of human interactions and propose that distorted attraction and repulsion tendencies may lead to inability to align properly with others, which may be a core component in loneliness emergence and perpetuation. We describe a neural model of herding in humans and suggest that loneliness may be associated with altered interactions between the gap/error detection, reward signaling, threat and observation-execution systems. The proposed model offers a framework to predict the behavior of lonely individuals and thus may inform intervention designs for reducing loneliness intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alisa Kanterman
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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3
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Giua G, Lassalle O, Makrini-Maleville L, Valjent E, Chavis P, Manzoni OJJ. Investigating cell-specific effects of FMRP deficiency on spiny projection neurons in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1146647. [PMID: 37323585 PMCID: PMC10264852 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1146647] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fragile X syndrome (FXS), resulting from a mutation in the Fmr1 gene, is the most common monogenic cause of autism and inherited intellectual disability. Fmr1 encodes the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), and its absence leads to cognitive, emotional, and social deficits compatible with the nucleus accumbens (NAc) dysfunction. This structure is pivotal in social behavior control, consisting mainly of spiny projection neurons (SPNs), distinguished by dopamine D1 or D2 receptor expression, connectivity, and associated behavioral functions. This study aims to examine how FMRP absence differentially affects SPN cellular properties, which is crucial for categorizing FXS cellular endophenotypes. Methods We utilized a novel Fmr1-/y::Drd1a-tdTomato mouse model, which allows in-situ identification of SPN subtypes in FXS mice. Using RNA-sequencing, RNAScope and ex-vivo patch-clamp in adult male mice NAc, we comprehensively compared the intrinsic passive and active properties of SPN subtypes. Results Fmr1 transcripts and their gene product, FMRP, were found in both SPNs subtypes, indicating potential cell-specific functions for Fmr1. The study found that the distinguishing membrane properties and action potential kinetics typically separating D1- from D2-SPNs in wild-type mice were either reversed or abolished in Fmr1-/y::Drd1a-tdTomato mice. Interestingly, multivariate analysis highlighted the compound effects of Fmr1 ablation by disclosing how the phenotypic traits distinguishing each cell type in wild-type mice were altered in FXS. Discussion Our results suggest that the absence of FMRP disrupts the standard dichotomy characterizing NAc D1- and D2-SPNs, resulting in a homogenous phenotype. This shift in cellular properties could potentially underpin select aspects of the pathology observed in FXS. Therefore, understanding the nuanced effects of FMRP absence on SPN subtypes can offer valuable insights into the pathophysiology of FXS, opening avenues for potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Giua
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Cannalab “Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory”, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Lassalle
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Cannalab “Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory”, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Marseille, France
| | | | - Emmanuel Valjent
- IGF, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascale Chavis
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Cannalab “Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory”, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier J. J. Manzoni
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Cannalab “Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory”, INSERM-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University, Marseille, France
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4
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Pahnke J, Jansson-Fröjmark M, Andersson G, Bjureberg J, Jokinen J, Bohman B, Lundgren T. Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: A randomized controlled pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient setting. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022:13623613221140749. [PMID: 36510817 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221140749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic adults are often stressed and feel depressed or anxious. However, mental health programs that are suited for autistic adults are few. Acceptance and commitment therapy is a psychotherapy method that seems to help people feel better, although not thoroughly evaluated in autistic individuals. In this study, 20 autistic adults had 14 weeks of acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment suited for autism (NeuroACT), while 19 autistic adults had ordinary care. The acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment program seemed logical and reasonable to the participants. Also, when comparing the participants in the NeuroACT group with those in the ordinary care group, the NeuroACT participants reported less stress and higher quality of life. Compared to the ordinary care group, they could also manage distressing thoughts better, perceived themselves as more flexible, and did not avoid stressful situations as much as before. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in depression, anxiety, sleep problems, social aspects of autism, everyday functioning, or executive challenges. Slightly more NeuroACT participants did not finish the treatment than ordinary care participants. In conclusion, the NeuroACT program may be a treatment for autistic adults who feel stressed and have reduced quality of life. More studies are needed to see how helpful the NeuroACT program is for autistic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Pahnke
- Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Gerhard Andersson
- Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm, Sweden.,Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Johan Bjureberg
- Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm, Sweden.,Stanford University, USA
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5
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Porter M, Gavria P, Reeve J, Green M, Baracz S, Rossi A, Boulton K. Neuroanatomical correlates of social approach in Williams Syndrome and down syndrome. Neuropsychologia 2022; 175:108366. [PMID: 36088994 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS) or Downs Syndrome (DS) are often described as hypersociable, friendly and overly trusting of others. This hypersociability is a major concern for parents/caregivers due to the associated increased risk of exploitation and victimisation. Two brain regions - the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) - have been implicated in driving this hypersociability in WS, and in the general population and have associations with emotional evaluation, threat detection and social motivation. However, there has been little neuroimaging research on this topic, especially in DS, to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential neuroanatomical and neuropsychological correlates of hypersociability in WS and DS. Twelve individuals with WS (M = 22 years of age) and eleven individuals with DS (M = 26 years of age) completed a neuropsychological battery of executive functioning and social measures, including informant ratings on an ecologically measure of social approach. Clinical groups and twelve typically developing controls (M = 23 years) underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan to investigate volumetric differences in the OFC and the amygdala. As expected, WS individuals displayed the highest overall social approach, especially in relation to need to approach strangers and drive to interact with strangers, as well as inappropriate/overfriendly behaviours. Both groups rated similarly in terms of social trust and unconditional positive regard. Emotion recognition abilities were similar across groups, with the DS group displaying some difficulties with negative emotions (especially anger). Inhibition and flexibility were similarly impaired across WS and DS. Compared to neurotypical controls, the DS group showed increased amygdala volumes bilaterally, while the WS group showed an enlarged right medial OFC. Approach ratings were significantly correlated with left amygdala and medial and left lateral OFC volumes in WS, and with these same regions bilaterally in DS. Results provide potential biological explanations for the hypersociability seen in WS and DS. Future research should focus on other potential neural correlates, as well as potential genetic and hormonal contributions to approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Porter
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Polina Gavria
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jessica Reeve
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Michael Green
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sarah Baracz
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Adriana Rossi
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Kelsie Boulton
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
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6
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Xu Z, Shi J, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhao J, Chen Q, Song C, Geng S, Xie W, Wu F, Bai Y, Yang Y, Li X. Zfp57 Exerts Maternal and Sexually Dimorphic Effects on Genomic Imprinting. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:784128. [PMID: 35252168 PMCID: PMC8895500 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.784128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Zfp57 has both maternal and zygotic functions in mouse. It maintains genomic imprinting at most known imprinted regions and controls allelic expression of the target imprinted genes in mouse embryos. The DNA methylation imprint at many imprinting control regions (ICRs) is lost when both maternal and zygotic Zfp57 are absent in Zfp57 maternal–zygotic mutant mouse embryos. Interestingly, we found that DNA methylation at a few ICRs was partially lost without maternal Zfp57 in Zfp57 heterozygous mouse embryos derived from Zfp57 homozygous female mice. This suggests that maternal Zfp57 is essential for the maintenance of DNA methylation at a small subset of imprinted regions in mouse embryos. This maternal effect of Zfp57 was applied to allelic expression switch as well as expression levels of the corresponding imprinted genes. It is rather surprising that DNA methylation imprint was affected differently at Rasgrf1 and AK008011 imprinted regions in the female or male Zfp57 maternal–zygotic mutant embryos, with more significant loss of DNA methylation observed in the male mutant embryos. Loss of ZFP57 resulted in gender-specific differences in allelic expression switch and expression level changes of some imprinted genes in female or male mutant embryos. These results indicate maternal and sexually dimorphic effects of ZFP57 on genomic imprinting in mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Jiajia Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Yu Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhan Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Junzheng Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Qian Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Chenglin Song
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Shuhui Geng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Feizhen Wu
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Bai
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
| | - Xiajun Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiChina
- *Correspondence: Xiajun Li,
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7
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Báez-Mendoza R, Vázquez Y, Mastrobattista EP, Williams ZM. Neuronal Circuits for Social Decision-Making and Their Clinical Implications. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:720294. [PMID: 34658766 PMCID: PMC8517320 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.720294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social living facilitates individual access to rewards, cognitive resources, and objects that would not be otherwise accessible. There are, however, some drawbacks to social living, particularly when competing for scarce resources. Furthermore, variability in our ability to make social decisions can be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. The neuronal mechanisms underlying social decision-making are beginning to be understood. The momentum to study this phenomenon has been partially carried over by the study of economic decision-making. Yet, because of the similarities between these different types of decision-making, it is unclear what is a social decision. Here, we propose a definition of social decision-making as choices taken in a context where one or more conspecifics are involved in the decision or the consequences of it. Social decisions can be conceptualized as complex economic decisions since they are based on the subjective preferences between different goods. During social decisions, individuals choose based on their internal value estimate of the different alternatives. These are complex decisions given that conspecifics beliefs or actions could modify the subject's internal valuations at every choice. Here, we first review recent developments in our collective understanding of the neuronal mechanisms and circuits of social decision-making in primates. We then review literature characterizing populations with neuropsychiatric disorders showing deficits in social decision-making and the underlying neuronal circuitries associated with these deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymundo Báez-Mendoza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yuriria Vázquez
- Laboratory of Neural Systems, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Emma P. Mastrobattista
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ziv M. Williams
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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8
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Zhao X, Mohammed R, Tran H, Erickson M, Kentner AC. Poly (I:C)-induced maternal immune activation modifies ventral hippocampal regulation of stress reactivity: prevention by environmental enrichment. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:203-215. [PMID: 33766701 PMCID: PMC8187276 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been successfully implemented in human rehabilitation settings. However, the mechanisms underlying its success are not understood. Incorporating components of EE protocols into our animal models allows for the exploration of these mechanisms and their role in mitigation. Using a mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA), the present study explored disruptions in social behavior and associated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, and whether a supportive environment could prevent these effects. We show that prenatal immune activation of toll-like receptor 3, by the viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), led to disrupted maternal care in that dams built poorer quality nests, an effect corrected by EE housing. Standard housed male and female MIA mice engaged in higher rates of repetitive rearing and had lower levels of social interaction, alongside sex-specific expression of several ventral hippocampal neural stress markers. Moreover, MIA males had delayed recovery of plasma corticosterone in response to a novel social encounter. Enrichment housing, likely mediated by improved maternal care, protected against these MIA-induced effects. We also evaluated c-Fos immunoreactivity associated with the novel social experience and found MIA to decrease neural activation in the dentate gyrus. Activation in the hypothalamus was blunted in EE housed animals, suggesting that the putative circuits modulating social behaviors may be different between standard and complex housing environments. These data demonstrate that augmentation of the environment supports parental care and offspring safety/security, which can offset effects of early health adversity by buffering HPA axis dysregulation. Our findings provide further evidence for the viability of EE interventions in maternal and pediatric settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Amanda C. Kentner
- Corresponding author: Amanda Kentner, , Office #617-274-3360, Fax # 617-732-2959
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9
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Cunniff MM, Markenscoff-Papadimitriou E, Ostrowski J, Rubenstein JLR, Sohal VS. Altered hippocampal-prefrontal communication during anxiety-related avoidance in mice deficient for the autism-associated gene Pogz. eLife 2020; 9:e54835. [PMID: 33155545 PMCID: PMC7682992 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many genes have been linked to autism. However, it remains unclear what long-term changes in neural circuitry result from disruptions in these genes, and how these circuit changes might contribute to abnormal behaviors. To address these questions, we studied behavior and physiology in mice heterozygous for Pogz, a high confidence autism gene. Pogz+/- mice exhibit reduced anxiety-related avoidance in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Theta-frequency communication between the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to be necessary for normal avoidance in the EPM. We found deficient theta-frequency synchronization between the vHPC and mPFC in vivo. When we examined vHPC-mPFC communication at higher resolution, vHPC input onto prefrontal GABAergic interneurons was specifically disrupted, whereas input onto pyramidal neurons remained intact. These findings illustrate how the loss of a high confidence autism gene can impair long-range communication by causing inhibitory circuit dysfunction within pathways important for specific behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Cunniff
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, and Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Eirene Markenscoff-Papadimitriou
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, and Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Julia Ostrowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, and Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - John LR Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, and Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Vikaas Singh Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, and Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
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10
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Ni RJ, Tian Y, Dai XY, Zhao LS, Wei JX, Zhou JN, Ma XH, Li T. Social avoidance behavior in male tree shrews and prosocial behavior in male mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics in the laboratory. Zool Res 2020; 41:258-272. [PMID: 32212430 PMCID: PMC7231478 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult male tree shrews vigorously defend against intruding male conspecifics. However, the characteristics of social behavior have not been entirely explored in these males. In this study, male wild-type tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) and C57BL/6J mice were first allowed to familiarize themselves with an open-field apparatus. The tree shrews exhibited a short duration of movement (moving) in the novel environment, whereas the mice exhibited a long duration of movement. In the 30 min social preference-avoidance test, target animals significantly decreased the time spent by the experimental tree shrews in the social interaction (SI) zone, whereas experimental male mice exhibited the opposite. In addition, experimental tree shrews displayed a significantly longer latency to enter the SI zone in the second 15 min session (target-present) than in the first 15 min session (target-absent), which was different from that found in mice. Distinct behavioral patterns in response to a conspecific male were also observed in male tree shrews and mice in the first, second, and third 5 min periods. Thus, social behaviors in tree shrews and mice appeared to be time dependent. In summary, our study provides results of a modified social preference-avoidance test designed for the assessment of social behavior in tree shrews. Our findings demonstrate the existence of social avoidance behavior in male tree shrews and prosocial behavior in male mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics. The tree shrew may be a new animal model, which differs from mice, for the study of social avoidance and prosocial behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Jun Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xin-Ye Dai
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zhao
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jin-Xue Wei
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Ma
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail:
| | - Tao Li
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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