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Baciadonna L, Briefer EF, Favaro L, McElligott AG. Goats distinguish between positive and negative emotion-linked vocalisations. Front Zool 2019; 16:25. [PMID: 31320917 PMCID: PMC6617626 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence from humans suggests that the expression of emotions can regulate social interactions and promote coordination within a group. Despite its evolutionary importance, social communication of emotions in non-human animals is still not well understood. Here, we combine behavioural and physiological measures, to determine if animals can distinguish between vocalisations linked to different emotional valences (positive and negative). Using a playback paradigm, goats were habituated to listen to a conspecific call associated with positive or negative valence (habituation phase) and were subsequently exposed to a variant of the same call type (contact call) associated with the opposite valence (dishabituation phase), followed by a final call randomly selected from the habituation phase as control (rehabituation phase). The effects of the calls on the occurrence of looking and cardiac responses in these phases were recorded and compared. RESULTS We found that when the valence of the call variant changed, goats were more likely to look at the source of the sound, indicating that they could distinguish calls based on their valence. Heart rate was not affected by the valence of the calls played, whereas heart-rate variability tended to be higher in the habituation and rehabituation phases, when positive calls were played compared to negative ones. Together, the behavioural and physiological measures provide evidence suggesting, first, that goats are able to distinguish call variants based on their valence, and second, that goat behaviour and cardiac responses are affected by call valence. CONCLUSION This study indicates that auditory modalities are a potent means to communicate emotions in non-human animals. These findings can contribute to our understanding of the evolution of emotion perception in non-human animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Baciadonna
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS UK
| | - Elodie F. Briefer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology & Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Livio Favaro
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR9197, University of Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Alan G. McElligott
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS UK
- Centre for Research in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour, Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, SW15 4JD UK
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Urrutia A, Martínez-Byer S, Szenczi P, Hudson R, Bánszegi O. Stable individual differences in vocalisation and motor activity during acute stress in the domestic cat. Behav Processes 2019; 165:58-65. [PMID: 31132445 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The behavioural assessment of individual animals in stressful situations should consider measures which are consistent across repeated testing, and therefore truly representative of an individual's behaviour. Here we report a study conducted on 40 neutered adult cats (Felis silvestris catus) of both sexes, originating from two animal shelters in Mexico and Hungary. We recorded the responses of the cats to repeated brief confinement trials that mimicked a common situation (confinement in a pet carrier). This test was repeated three times, leaving one week between trials, to assess short-term repeatability. Stable inter-individual differences in two behavioural measures, the number of separation calls and the duration of motor activity, were found, although the inter-individual differences in vocalisation were more pronounced than they were for motor activity. Additionally, the overall number of vocalisations emitted remained stable despite repeated testing, whereas motor activity tended to decrease week to week. There was a negative effect of age on vocalisation rate, and no effect of sex on either behaviour. No correlation between the two behavioural measures was found. We suggest that, in adult cats, vocalisation may be more reliable than motor activity as a behavioural measure of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Urrutia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, CP 04510, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio A, 1er Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, CP 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Sandra Martínez-Byer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, CP 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Péter Szenczi
- Cátedras CONACyT, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico City, Mexico; Dirección de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico; Unidad Psicopatología y Desarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Robyn Hudson
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, CP 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Oxána Bánszegi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, CP 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Briefer EF, Vizier E, Gygax L, Hillmann E. Expression of emotional valence in pig closed-mouth grunts: Involvement of both source- and filter-related parameters. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 145:2895. [PMID: 31153321 DOI: 10.1121/1.5100612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Emotion expression plays a crucial role for regulating social interactions. One efficient channel for emotion communication is the vocal-auditory channel, which enables a fast transmission of information. Filter-related parameters (formants) have been suggested as a key to the vocal differentiation of emotional valence (positive versus negative) across species, but variation in relation to emotions has rarely been investigated. Here, whether pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) closed-mouth grunts differ in source- and filter-related features when produced in situations assumed to be positive and negative is investigated. Behavioral and physiological parameters were used to validate the animals' emotional state (both in terms of valence and arousal, i.e., bodily activation). Results revealed that grunts produced in a positive situation were characterized by higher formants, a narrower range of the third formant, a shorter duration, a lower fundamental frequency, and a lower harmonicity compared to negative grunts. Particularly, formant-related parameters and duration made up most of the difference between positive and negative grunts. Therefore, these parameters have the potential to encode dynamic information and to vary as a function of the emotional valence of the emitter in pigs, and possibly in other mammals as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie F Briefer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Emilie Vizier
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Gygax
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope, Tänikon, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | - Edna Hillmann
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Gorlova AV, Pavlov DA, Ushakova VM, Zubkov EA, Morozova AY, Zorkina YA, Inozemtsev AN, Chekhonin VP. Chronic Exposure to Ultrasonic Frequencies Selectively Increases Aggression in Rats. DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2019; 486:69-71. [PMID: 31317447 DOI: 10.1134/s0012496619030074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We studied aggression in male Sprague-Dawley rats in a model of a depressive-like state induced by unpredictable treatment with ultrasonic waves with the frequencies of 20-45 kHz for 1, 2 or 3 weeks. We did not find any increase in the number of animals exhibiting aggression in the "resident-intruder" test after the treatment of any selected duration. However, the aggressive animals exposed to ultrasound exhibited the substantially increased number of attacks and their total duration as well as decreased latency of the first attack compared to the respective indices in the animals of the control group. Taking this into account, it is possible to suggest that the initial level of aggression increases in a model of ultrasonic chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Gorlova
- Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - D A Pavlov
- Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
- Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - E A Zubkov
- Serbskii National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Drug Addiction, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Yu Morozova
- Serbskii National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Drug Addiction, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ya A Zorkina
- Serbskii National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Drug Addiction, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - V P Chekhonin
- Serbskii National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Drug Addiction, Moscow, Russia
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Gore AC, Krishnan K, Reilly MP. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Effects on neuroendocrine systems and the neurobiology of social behavior. Horm Behav 2019; 111:7-22. [PMID: 30476496 PMCID: PMC6527472 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A contribution to SBN/ICN special issue. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are pervasive in the environment. They are found in plastics and plasticizers (bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates), in industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and include some pesticides and fungicides such as vinclozolin. These chemicals act on hormone receptors and their downstream signaling pathways, and can interfere with hormone synthesis, metabolism, and actions. Because the developing brain is particularly sensitive to endogenous hormones, disruptions by EDCs can change neural circuits that form during periods of brain organization. Here, we review the evidence that EDCs affect developing hypothalamic neuroendocrine systems, and change behavioral outcomes in juvenile, adolescent, and adult life in exposed individuals, and even in their descendants. Our focus is on social, communicative and sociosexual behaviors, as how an individual behaves with a same- or opposite-sex conspecific determines that individual's ability to exist in a community, be selected as a mate, and reproduce successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Krittika Krishnan
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Michael P Reilly
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Silkstone M, Brudzynski SM. The antagonistic relationship between aversive and appetitive emotional states in rats as studied by pharmacologically-induced ultrasonic vocalization from the nucleus accumbens and lateral septum. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 181:77-85. [PMID: 31034853 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Rats can emit 22-kHz or 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in negative, as well as positive contexts which index their emotional state. 22-kHz USVs are emitted during aversive contexts and can be initiated by activation of the ascending cholinergic pathways originating from the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus or initiated pharmacologically by injection of cholinergic agonists into target areas of these pathways (medial cholinoceptive vocalization strip). Conversely, 50-kHz USVs are emitted during positive pro-social contexts and can be initiated by stimulation of ascending dopaminergic pathways originating from the ventral tegmental area or by injection of dopamine agonists into target areas of these pathways (nucleus accumbens shell). Recently, we have shown an inhibitory effect a positive emotional state has on the emission of carbachol-induced 22-kHz USVs from the anterior hypothalamic/medial preoptic area. However, this structure is a fragment of that cholinoceptive vocalization strip. We wanted to examine if we could observe similar effect when the aversive state is induced from the lateral septum, the most rostral division of the cholinoceptive vocalization strip. The results supported previous findings. First, microinjection of the dopamine agonist R-(-)-apomorphine into the nucleus accumbens shell resulted in increased emission of frequency modulated (FM) 50-kHz USVs that are regarded as signals expressing a positive emotional state in rats. Second, FM 50-kHz USVs and not flat (F) 50-kHz USVs were able to decrease 22-kHz USVs induced by microinjections of carbachol into the lateral septum. This research provides further support to the hypothesis that the initiation of a positive emotional state functionally antagonizes initiation of a negative emotional state in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Silkstone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Stefan M Brudzynski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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57
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Social modulation of drug use and drug addiction. Neuropharmacology 2019; 159:107545. [PMID: 30807753 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to demonstrate how social science and behavioral neurosciences have highlighted the influence of social interactions on drug use in animal models. In neurosciences, the effect of global social context that are distal from drug use has been widely studied. For human and other social animals such as monkeys and rodents, positive social interactions are rewarding, can overcome drug reward and, in all, protect from drug use. In contrast, as other types of stress, negative social experiences facilitate the development and maintenance of drug abuse. However, interest recently emerged in the effect of so-called "proximal" social factors, that is, social interactions during drug-taking. These recent studies have characterized the role of the drug considered, the sharing of drug experience and the familiarity of the peer which interaction are made with. We also examine the few studies regarding the sensorial mediator of social behaviors and critically review the neural mediation of social factors on drug use. However, despite considerable characterization of the factors modulating distal influences, the mechanisms for proximal influences on drug use remain largely unknown. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The neuropharmacology of social behavior: from bench to bedside'.
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58
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Intracerebral injection of R-(-)-Apomorphine into the nucleus accumbens decreased carbachol-induced 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:264-273. [PMID: 30690109 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Rats can produce ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in a variety of different contexts that signal their emotional state to conspecifics. Under distress, rats can emit 22-kHz USVs, while during positive pro-social interactions rats can emit frequency-modulated (FM) 50-kHz USVs. It has been previously reported that rats with increasing emission of FM 50-kHz USVs in anticipation of rewarding electrical stimulation or positive pro-social interaction decrease the number of emitted 22-kHz USVs. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine, in a pharmacological-behavioural experiment, if the positive emotional arousal of the rat indexed by the number of emitted FM 50-kHz USVs can decrease the magnitude of a subsequent negative emotional state indexed by the emission of 22-kHz USVs. To induce a positive emotional state, an intracerebral injection of a known D1/D2 agonist R-(-)-apomorphine (3.0 μg/0.3 μl) into the medial nucleus accumbens shell was used, while a negative emotional state was induced by intracerebral injection of carbachol (1.0 μg/0.3 μl), a known broad-spectrum muscarinic agonist, into the anterior hypothalamic-medial preoptic area. Our results demonstrated that initiation of a positive emotional state was able to significantly decrease the magnitude of subsequently expressed negative emotional state measured by the number of emitted 22-kHz USVs. The results suggest the neurobiological substrates that initiate positive emotional state indirectly antagonize the brain regions that initiate negative emotional states.
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59
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Brudzynski SM. Emission of 22 kHz vocalizations in rats as an evolutionary equivalent of human crying: Relationship to depression. Behav Brain Res 2019; 363:1-12. [PMID: 30677449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
There is no clear relationship between crying and depression based on human neuropsychiatric observations. This situation originates from lack of suitable animal models of human crying. In the present article, an attempt will be made to answer the question whether emission of rat aversive vocalizations (22 kHz calls) may be regarded as an evolutionary equivalent of adult human crying. Using this comparison, the symptom of crying in depressed human patients will be reanalyzed. Numerous features and characteristics of rat 22 kHz aversive vocalizations and human crying vocalizations are equivalent. Comparing evolutionary, biological, physiological, neurophysiological, social, pharmacological, and pathological aspects have shown vast majority of common features. It is concluded that emission of rat 22 kHz vocalizations may be treated as an evolutionary vocal homolog of human crying, although emission of 22 kHz calls is not exactly the same phenomenon because of significant differences in cognitive processes between these species. It is further concluded that rat 22 kHz vocalizations and human crying vocalizations are both expressing anxiety and not depression. Analysis of the relationship between anxiety and depression reported in clinical studies supports this conclusion regardless of the nature and extent of comorbidity between these pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M Brudzynski
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
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60
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Briefer EF. Vocal contagion of emotions in non-human animals. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2783. [PMID: 29491174 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Communicating emotions to conspecifics (emotion expression) allows the regulation of social interactions (e.g. approach and avoidance). Moreover, when emotions are transmitted from one individual to the next, leading to state matching (emotional contagion), information transfer and coordination between group members are facilitated. Despite the high potential for vocalizations to influence the affective state of surrounding individuals, vocal contagion of emotions has been largely unexplored in non-human animals. In this paper, I review the evidence for discrimination of vocal expression of emotions, which is a necessary step for emotional contagion to occur. I then describe possible proximate mechanisms underlying vocal contagion of emotions, propose criteria to assess this phenomenon and review the existing evidence. The literature so far shows that non-human animals are able to discriminate and be affected by conspecific and also potentially heterospecific (e.g. human) vocal expression of emotions. Since humans heavily rely on vocalizations to communicate (speech), I suggest that studying vocal contagion of emotions in non-human animals can lead to a better understanding of the evolution of emotional contagion and empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie F Briefer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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61
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Robakiewicz I, Polak M, Rawska M, Alberski D, Polowy R, Wytrychiewicz K, Syperek M, Matysiak J, Filipkowski RK. Stimulus-seeking in rats is accompanied by increased c-Fos expression in hippocampal CA1 as well as short 22 kHz and flat 50 kHz calls. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Wei NL, Quan ZF, Zhao T, Yu XD, Xie Q, Zeng J, Ma FK, Wang F, Tang QS, Wu H, Zhu JH. Chronic stress increases susceptibility to food addiction by increasing the levels of DR2 and MOR in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:1211-1229. [PMID: 31190828 PMCID: PMC6512647 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s204818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Stress-related obesity might be related to the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenocortical axis and dysregulation of the metabolic system. Chronic stress also induces the dysregulation of the reward system and increases the risk of food addiction, according to recent clinical findings. However, few studies have tested the effect of chronic stress on food addiction in animal models. Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify whether chronic stress promotes food addiction or not and explore the possible mechanisms. Method: We applied adaily 2 hrsflashing LED irradiation stress to mice fed chow or palatable food to mimic the effect of chronic stress on feeding. After 1 month of chronic stress exposure, we tested their binge eating behaviors, cravings for palatable food, responses for palatable food, and compulsive eating behaviors to evaluate the effect of chronic stress on food addiction-like behaviors. We detected changes in the levels of various genes and proteins in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and lateral hypothalamus using qPCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Results: Behaviors results indicated chronic stress obviously increased food addiction score (FAS) in the palatable food feeding mice. Moreover, the FAS had astrong relationship with the extent of the increase in body weight. Chronic stress increased the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1(CRFR1) was increased in the NAc shell and core but decreased in the VTA of the mice fed with palatable food. Chronic stress also increased expression of both dopamine receptor 2 (DR2) and mu-opioid receptor (MOR) in the NAc. Conclusion: Chronic stress aggravates the FAS and contributed to the development of stress-related obesity. Chronic stress drives the dysregulation of the CRF signaling pathway in the reward system and increases the expression of DR2 and MOR in the nucleus accumbens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Li Wei
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Gansu China, 730030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Fang Quan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhao
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu-Dong Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
| | - Fu-Kai Ma
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Wang
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-Sheng Tang
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Hong Zhu
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory for Medical neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, People's Republic of China
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Bialy M, Podobinska M, Barski J, Bogacki-Rychlik W, Sajdel-Sulkowska EM. Distinct classes of low frequency ultrasonic vocalizations in rats during sexual interactions relate to different emotional states. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Terpou BA, Densmore M, Thome J, Frewen P, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. The Innate Alarm System and Subliminal Threat Presentation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Neuroimaging of the Midbrain and Cerebellum. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2019; 3:2470547018821496. [PMID: 32440590 PMCID: PMC7219880 DOI: 10.1177/2470547018821496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The innate alarm system, a network of interconnected midbrain, other brainstem, and thalamic structures, serves to rapidly detect stimuli in the environment prior to the onset of conscious awareness. This system is sensitive to threatening stimuli and has evolved to process these stimuli subliminally for hastened responding. Despite the conscious unawareness, the presentation of subliminal threat stimuli generates increased activation of limbic structures, including the amygdala and insula, as well as emotionally evaluative structures, including the cerebellum and orbitofrontal cortex. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased startle response and decreased extinction learning to conditioned threat. The role of the innate alarm system in the clinical presentation of PTSD, however, remains poorly understood. METHODS Here, we compare midbrain, brainstem, and cerebellar activation in persons with PTSD (n = 26) and matched controls (n = 20) during subliminal threat presentation. Subjects were presented with masked trauma-related and neutral stimuli below conscious threshold. Contrasts of subliminal brain activation for the presentation of neutral stimuli were subtracted from trauma-related brain activation. Group differences in activation, as well as correlations between clinical scores and PTSD activation, were examined. Imaging data were preprocessed utilizing the spatially unbiased infratentorial template toolbox within SPM12. RESULTS Analyses revealed increased midbrain activation in PTSD as compared to controls in the superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray, and midbrain reticular formation during subliminal threat as compared to neutral stimulus presentation. Controls showed increased activation in the right cerebellar lobule V during subliminal threat presentation as compared to PTSD. Finally, a negative correlation emerged between PTSD patient scores on the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory for the Depersonalization/Derealization subscale and activation in the right lobule V of the cerebellum during the presentation of subliminal threat as compared to neutral stimuli. CONCLUSION We interpret these findings as evidence of innate alarm system overactivation in PTSD and of the prominent role of the cerebellum in the undermodulation of emotion observed in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braeden A. Terpou
- Department of Neuroscience, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Division,
Lawson
Health Research Institute, London, Ontario,
Canada
| | - Janine Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience,
Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg
University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s
Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural
Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph,
Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western
University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Gorlova A, Pavlov D, Zubkov E, Zorkina Y, Inozemtsev A, Morozova A, Chekhonin V. Alteration of oxidative stress markers and behavior of rats in a novel model of depression. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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66
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Shahrier MA, Wada H. Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on acoustic characteristics of ultrasonic vocalizations in rat pups. Neurotoxicology 2018; 69:29-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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67
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Mulvihill KG. Presynaptic regulation of dopamine release: Role of the DAT and VMAT2 transporters. Neurochem Int 2018; 122:94-105. [PMID: 30465801 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The signaling dynamics of the neurotransmitter dopamine has been established to have an important role in a variety of behavioural processes including motor control, cognition, and emotional processing. Key regulators of transmitter release and the signaling dynamics of dopamine are the plasma membrane reuptake transporter (DAT) and the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2). These proteins serve to remove dopamine molecules from the extracellular and cytosolic space, respectively and both determine the amount of transmitter released from synaptic vesicles. This review provides an overview of how these transporter proteins are involved in molecular regulation and function together to govern the dynamics of vesicular release with opposing effects on the quantal size and extracellular concentration of dopamine. These transporter proteins are both focal points of convergence for a variety of regulatory molecular cascades as well as targets for many pharmacological agents. The ratio between these transporters is argued to be useful as a molecular marker for delineating dopamine functional subsystems that may differ in transmitter release patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Mulvihill
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
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68
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Simola N, Granon S. Ultrasonic vocalizations as a tool in studying emotional states in rodent models of social behavior and brain disease. Neuropharmacology 2018; 159:107420. [PMID: 30445100 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rodents emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to communicate the presence of positive or negative emotional states and to coordinate social interactions. On this basis, USVs are increasingly being used as a behavioral readout in rodent studies of affect, motivation and social behavior. Notably, several investigations have demonstrated that rodents emit USVs when tested in experimental paradigms that are used in preclinical studies of psychiatric and neurological diseases. Moreover, it has been shown that calling behavior may be influenced by genetic and/or environmental factors (i.e., stress), early rearing conditions that have been implicated in brain disease, as well as psychoactive drugs. Hence, measuring USV emissions has emerged as a useful tool in studying the mechanisms that underlie the emotional disturbances featuring certain brain diseases, as well as in the development of suited pharmacological therapies. This review provides an overview of the behavioral significance of USV emissions and describes the contexts that promote calling behavior in rats and mice. Moreover, the review summarizes the current evidence concerning the use of USVs as a marker of affect in rat and mouse models of sociability, psychiatric diseases and neurological diseases, and discusses the strengths and current limitations of using USVs as a behavioral readout in rodent studies of emotional behavior. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The neuropharmacology of social behavior: from bench to bedside'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Sylvie Granon
- Neurobiology of Decision Making, Institute of Neuroscience Paris-Saclay, UMR9197, Université Paris-Sud, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Orsay, France
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69
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Mulvihill KG, Brudzynski SM. Non-pharmacological induction of rat 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalization: Social and non-social contexts differentially induce 50 kHz call subtypes. Physiol Behav 2018; 196:200-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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70
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Calub CA, Furtak SC, Brown TH. Revisiting the autoconditioning hypothesis for acquired reactivity to ultrasonic alarm calls. Physiol Behav 2018; 194:380-386. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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71
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Snort acoustic structure codes for positive emotions in horses. Naturwissenschaften 2018; 105:57. [PMID: 30291452 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1582-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While the vocal coding of human and animal internal states has been widely studied, the possible acoustic expression of "positive" emotions remains poorly known. Recent studies suggest that snorts (non-vocal sounds produced by the air expiration through the nostrils) appear to be reliable indicators of positive internal states in several ungulate species. Here, we hypothesised in horses that the acoustic structure of the snort could vary with the subjects' current emotional state. Indeed, a preliminary sound analysis of snorts let us suggest structure variations related to the presence of pulsations. We recorded snorts from 20 horses living in a riding center. Auditory playbacks run with 20 humans first confirmed the existence of two snort subtypes, i.e. one pulsed and one non-pulsed. Observations were then conducted to compare the distribution of these two subtypes according to the location (stall/pasture) of the signaller as a contextual determinant of its internal state and to its ears' position as a reflection of its emotional state. We found that both subtypes were preferentially observed in positive contexts, but that pulsed snorts were even more associated with highly appreciated situations (in pasture and with ears forward). This study is a step further in the identification of indicators of positive emotions in horses and more generally in the understanding of the acoustic emotions' coding.
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72
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Baciadonna L, Duepjan S, Briefer EF, Padilla de la Torre M, Nawroth C. Looking on the Bright Side of Livestock Emotions-the Potential of Their Transmission to Promote Positive Welfare. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:218. [PMID: 30258847 PMCID: PMC6143710 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotions can be defined as an individual's affective reaction to an external and/or internal event that, in turn, generates a simultaneous cascade of behavioral, physiological, and cognitive changes. Those changes that can be perceived by conspecifics have the potential to also affect other's emotional states, a process labeled as "emotional contagion." Especially in the case of gregarious species, such as livestock, emotional contagion can have an impact on the whole group by, for instance, improving group coordination and strengthening social bonds. We noticed that the current trend of research on emotions in livestock, i.e., investigating affective states as a tool to assess and improve animal welfare, appears to be unbalanced. A majority of studies focuses on the individual rather than the social component of emotions. In this paper, we highlight current limitations in the latter line of research and suggest a stronger emphasis on the mechanisms of how emotions in livestock are transmitted and shared, which could serve as a promising tool to synergistically enhance the welfare of all individuals within a group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Baciadonna
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Duepjan
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Elodie F Briefer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Christian Nawroth
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Agroscope Tänikon, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
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73
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Simola N, Brudzynski SM. Rat 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations as a tool in studying neurochemical mechanisms that regulate positive emotional states. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 310:33-44. [PMID: 29959002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent and adult rats emit 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to communicate the appetitive arousal and the presence of positive emotional states to conspecifics. NEW METHOD Based on its communicative function, emission of 50-kHz USVs is increasingly being evaluated in preclinical studies of affective behavior, motivation and social behavior. RESULTS Emission of 50-kHz USVs is initiated by the activation of dopamine receptors in the shell subregion of the nucleus accumbens. However, several lines of evidence show that non-dopaminergic receptors may influence the numbers of 50-kHz USVs that are emitted, as well as the acoustic parameters of calls. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Emission of 50-kHz USVs is a non-invasive method that may be used to study reward and motivation without the need for extensive training and complex animal manipulations. Moreover, emission of 50-kHz USVs can be used alone or combined with other well-standardized behavioral paradigms (e.g., conditioned place preference, self-administration). CONCLUSIONS This review summarizes the current evidence concerning molecular mechanisms that regulate the emission of 50-kHz USVs. Moreover, the review discusses the usefulness of 50-kHz USVs as an experimental tool to investigate how different neurotransmitter systems regulate the manifestations of positive emotional states, and also use of this tool in preclinical modeling of psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuropsychopharmacology Division, University of Cagliari, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Stefan M Brudzynski
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, L3 3A1 Canada
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74
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Simola N, Costa G. Emission of categorized 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in rats repeatedly treated with amphetamine or apomorphine: Possible relevance to drug-induced modifications in the emotional state. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:88-98. [PMID: 29505802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The emission of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) is increasingly emerging as a potential behavioral marker of the subjective effects that psychoactive drugs elicit in rats. However, multiple categories of 50-kHz USVs have been identified, which are thought to possess different behavioral significance. Besides, limited information is available on how psychoactive drugs affect the emission of categorized 50-kHz USVs. To further elucidate this issue, we evaluated the numbers of multiple categories of 50-kHz USVs emitted by rats repeatedly treated with amphetamine (1 or 2 mg/kg, i.p.) or apomorphine (2 or 4 mg/kg, i.p.), two drugs that elicit similar and dissimilar subjective effects. Amphetamine- and apomorphine-treated rats emitted patterns of categorized 50-kHz USVs that varied according to the drug administered, drug dose, and number of drug administrations. Nevertheless, the numbers of several categories of 50-kHz USVs were positively correlated with the number of total calls emitted (i.e., the sum of categorized 50-kHz USVs). Moreover, a marked interindividual variability in the emission of categorized 50-kHz USVs was observed. Taken together, the present results may be relevant to further elucidating the interplay between calling of the 50-kHz USVs group and psychopharmacological profile of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Giulia Costa
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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75
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Simola N, Brudzynski SM. Repertoire and Biological Function of Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Adolescent and Adult Rats. HANDBOOK OF ULTRASONIC VOCALIZATION - A WINDOW INTO THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809600-0.00017-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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76
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Ultrasonic Social Communication in Bats: Signal Complexity and Its Neural Management. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809600-0.00046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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77
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Simola N, Paci E, Serra M, Costa G, Morelli M. Modulation of Rat 50-kHz Ultrasonic Vocalizations by Glucocorticoid Signaling: Possible Relevance to Reward and Motivation. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 21:73-83. [PMID: 29182715 PMCID: PMC5795343 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rats emit 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to communicate positive emotional states, and these USVs are increasingly being investigated in preclinical studies on reward and motivation. Although it is the activation of dopamine receptors that initiates the emission of 50-kHz USVs, non-dopaminergic mechanisms may modulate calling in the 50 kHz frequency band. To further elucidate these mechanisms, the present study investigated whether the pharmacological manipulation of glucocorticoid signaling influenced calling. METHODS Rats were administered corticosterone (1-5 mg/kg, s.c.), the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (40 or 100 mg/kg, s.c.), or the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (50 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.). The effects of these drugs on calling initiation and on calling recorded during nonaggressive social contacts or after the administration of amphetamine (0.25 or 1 mg/kg, i.p.) were then evaluated. RESULTS Corticosterone failed to initiate the emission of 50-kHz USVs and did not influence pro-social and amphetamine-stimulated calling. Similarly, mifepristone and metyrapone did not initiate calling. However, metyrapone suppressed pro-social calling and calling stimulated by a moderate dose (1 mg/kg, i.p.) of amphetamine. Conversely, mifepristone attenuated calling stimulated by a low (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.), but not moderate (1 mg/kg, i.p.), dose of amphetamine and had no influence on pro-social calling. CONCLUSIONS The present results demonstrate that glucocorticoid signaling modulates calling in the 50 kHz frequency band only in certain conditions and suggest that mechanisms different from the inhibition of corticosterone synthesis may participate in the suppression of calling by metyrapone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,Correspondence: Nicola Simola, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale, 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy ()
| | - Elena Paci
- Department of Physiology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom,Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Marcello Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,NCR, National Research Council of Italy, Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy
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78
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Tonelli LC, Wöhr M, Schwarting R, Melo-Thomas L. Awakenings in rats by ultrasounds: A new animal model for paradoxical kinesia. Behav Brain Res 2017; 337:204-209. [PMID: 28916501 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Paradoxical kinesia refers to a sudden transient ability of akinetic patients to perform motor tasks they are otherwise unable to perform. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unknown due a paucity of valid animal models that faithfully reproduce paradoxical kinesia. Here, in a first experiment, we present a new method to study paradoxical kinesia by "awakening" cataleptic rats through presenting appetitive 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV), which are typical for social situations with positive valence, like juvenile play or sexual encounters ("rat laughter"). Rats received systemic haloperidol to induce catalepsy, which was assessed by means of the bar test. During that test, 50-kHz USV, time- and amplitude-matched white noise (NOISE), or background noise (BACKGROUND) were played back and compared to SILENCE. Every animal was exposed to all four acoustic stimuli in random order, with four independent groups of rats being tested. Only when exposed to playback of appetitive 50-kHz USV, the otherwise akinetic rats rapidly started to move efficiently. The acoustic control stimuli, in contrast, did not release rats from catalepsy, despite eliciting the auditory pinna reflex and head movements towards the sound source. Moreover, in a second experiment, playback of aversive 22-kHz USV and relevant acoustic control stimuli did also not significantly affect catalepsy time. Together, our animal model provides a completely new approach to study mechanisms of paradoxical kinesia, which might help to improve behavioral therapies for Parkinson's disease and other disorders, where akinetic or cataleptic states occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Castro Tonelli
- Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Rainer Schwarting
- Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Liana Melo-Thomas
- Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany; Behavioral Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Av. do Café, 2450, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, 14050-220, São Paulo, Brazil.
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79
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Vocal expression of emotional valence in Przewalski's horses (Equus przewalskii). Sci Rep 2017; 7:8779. [PMID: 28821880 PMCID: PMC5562828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09437-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Vocal expression of emotions has been suggested to be conserved throughout evolution. However, since vocal indicators of emotions have never been compared between closely related species using similar methods, it remains unclear whether this is the case. Here, we investigated vocal indicators of emotional valence (negative versus positive) in Przewalski’s horses, in order to find out if expression of valence is similar between species and notably among Equidae through a comparison with previous results obtained in domestic horse whinnies. We observed Przewalski’s horses in naturally occurring contexts characterised by positive or negative valence. As emotional arousal (bodily activation) can act as a confounding factor in the search for indicators of valence, we controlled for its effect on vocal parameters using a behavioural indicator (movement). We found that positive and negative situations were associated with specific types of calls. Additionally, the acoustic structure of calls differed according to the valence. There were some similarities but also striking differences in expression of valence between Przewalski’s and domestic horses, suggesting that vocal expression of emotional valence, unlike emotional arousal, could be species specific rather than conserved throughout evolution.
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80
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McGrath N, Dunlop R, Dwyer C, Burman O, Phillips CJ. Hens vary their vocal repertoire and structure when anticipating different types of reward. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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81
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Reno JM, Thakore N, Cormack LK, Schallert T, Bell RL, Maddox WT, Duvauchelle CL. Negative Affect-Associated USV Acoustic Characteristics Predict Future Excessive Alcohol Drinking and Alcohol Avoidance in Male P and NP Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:786-797. [PMID: 28118495 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Negative emotional status and adverse emotional events increase vulnerability to alcohol abuse. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by rats are a well-established model of emotional status that can reflect positive or negative affective responses in real time. Most USV studies assess counts, yet each USV is a multidimensional data point characterized by several acoustic characteristics that may provide insight into the neurocircuitry underlying emotional response. METHODS USVs emitted from selectively bred alcohol-naïve and alcohol-experienced alcohol-preferring and nonpreferring rats (P and NP rats) were recorded during 4-hour sessions on alternating days over 4 weeks. Linear mixed modeling (LMM) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were applied to USV acoustic characteristics (e.g., frequency, duration, power, and bandwidth) of negative affect (22 to 28 kilohertz [kHz])- and positive (50 to 55 kHz) affect-related USVs. RESULTS Hundred percent separation between alcohol-naïve P and NP rats was achieved through a linear combination (produced by LDA) of USV acoustic characteristics of 22- to 28-kHz USVs, whereas poor separation (36.5%) was observed for 50- to 55-kHz USVs. 22- to 28-kHz LDA separation was high (87%) between alcohol-experienced P and NP rats, but was poor for 50- to 55-kHz USVs (57.3%). USV mean frequency and duration were the highest weighted characteristics in both the naïve and experienced 22- to 28-kHz LDA representations suggesting that alcohol experience does not alter the representations. LMM analyses of 22- to 28-kHz USV acoustic characteristics matched the LDA results. Poor LDA separation was observed between alcohol-naïve and alcohol-experienced P rats for both 22- to 28-kHz and 50- to 55-kHz USVs. CONCLUSIONS Advanced statistical analysis of negative affect-associated USV data predicts future behaviors of excessive alcohol drinking and alcohol avoidance in selectively bred rats. USV characteristics across rat lines reveal affect-related motivation to consume alcohol and may predict neural pathways mediating emotional response. Further characterization of these differences could delineate particular neurocircuitry and methods to ameliorate dysregulated emotional states often observed in human alcohol abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Reno
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research , The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Psychology , College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Neha Thakore
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research , The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology , College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Lawrence K Cormack
- Department of Psychology , College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Timothy Schallert
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research , The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Psychology , College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry , Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - W Todd Maddox
- Cognitive Design and Statistical Consulting , LLC, Austin, Texas
| | - Christine L Duvauchelle
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research , The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology , College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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82
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Burgdorf J, Colechio EM, Stanton P, Panksepp J. Positive Emotional Learning Induces Resilience to Depression: A Role for NMDA Receptor-mediated Synaptic Plasticity. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 15:3-10. [PMID: 27102428 PMCID: PMC5327454 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160422110344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positive emotions have been shown to induce resilience to depression and anxiety in humans, as well as increase cognitive abilities (learning, memory and problem solving) and improve overall health. In rats, frequency modulated 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (Hedonic 50-kHz USVs) reflect a positive affective state and are best elicited by rough-and-tumble play. METHODS The effect of positive affect induced by rough-and tumble play was examined on models of depression and learning and memory. The molecular and pharmacological basis of play induced positive affect was also examined. RESULTS Rough-and-tumble play induced Hedonic 50-kHz USVs, lead to resilience to depression and anxiety, and facilitation of learning and memory. These effects are mediated, in part, by increased NMDAR expression and activation in the medial prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS We hypothesize that positive affect induces resilience to depression by facilitating NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Targeting MPFC synaptic plasticity may lead to novel treatments for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Burgdorf
- Falk Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 1801 Maple Ave., Suite 4300, Evanston IL, 60201, USA
| | | | - Patric Stanton
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Basic Sciences Bldg., Rm. 217, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Jaak Panksepp
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163 USA
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83
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Barker DJ, Simmons SJ, West MO. Ultrasonic Vocalizations as a Measure of Affect in Preclinical Models of Drug Abuse: A Review of Current Findings. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 13:193-210. [PMID: 26411762 PMCID: PMC4598431 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13999150318113642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The present review describes ways in which ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) have been used in studies of substance abuse. Accordingly, studies are reviewed which demonstrate roles for affective processing in response to the presentation of drug-related cues, experimenter- and self-administered drug, drug withdrawal, and during tests of relapse/reinstatement. The review focuses on data collected from studies using cocaine and amphetamine, where a large body of evidence has been collected. Data suggest that USVs capture animals’ initial positive reactions to psychostimulant administration and are capable of identifying individual differences in affective responding. Moreover, USVs have been used to demonstrate that positive affect becomes sensitized to psychostimulants over acute exposure before eventually exhibiting signs of tolerance. In the drug-dependent animal, a mixture of USVs suggesting positive and negative affect is observed, illustrating mixed responses to psychostimulants. This mixture is predominantly characterized by an initial bout of positive affect followed by an opponent negative emotional state, mirroring affective responses observed in human addicts. During drug withdrawal, USVs demonstrate the presence of negative affective withdrawal symptoms. Finally, it has been shown that drug-paired cues produce a learned, positive anticipatory response during training, and that presentation of drug-paired cues following abstinence produces both positive affect and reinstatement behavior. Thus, USVs are a useful tool for obtaining an objective measurement of affective states in animal models of substance abuse and can increase the information extracted from drug administration studies. USVs enable detection of subtle differences in a behavioral response that might otherwise be missed using traditional measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Barker
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Neuronal Networks Section, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224.
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84
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Panksepp J. Neurologizing the Psychology of Affects: How Appraisal-Based Constructivism and Basic Emotion Theory Can Coexist. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2016; 2:281-96. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007.00045.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abundant neurobehavioral data, not discussed by Lisa Feldman Barrett (2006) , support the existence of a variety of core emotional operating systems in ancient subneocortical regions of the brain ( Panksepp, 1998a , 2005a ). Such brain systems are the primary-process ancestral birthrights of all mammals. There may be as many genetically and neurochemically coded subcortical affect systems in emotionally rich medial regions of the brain as there are “natural” emotional action systems in the brain. When emotional primes are aroused directly, as with local electrical or chemical stimulation, the affective changes sustain conditioned place preferences and place aversions, which are the premier secondary-process indices of affective states in animals. Humans are not immune to such brain manipulations; they typically exhibit strong emotional feelings. Human emotion researchers should not ignore these systems and simply look at the complex and highly variable culturally molded manifestations of emotions in humans if they wish to determine what kinds of “natural” emotional processes exist within all mammalian brain. Basic emotion science has generated workable epistemological strategies for under-standing the primal sources of human emotional feelings by detailed study of emotional circuits in our fellow animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaak Panksepp
- Department of Veterinary Comparative Anatomy, Physiology, & Pharmacology, Washington State University
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85
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Kapusta J, Kruczek M. Ultrasonic Reaction of Bank Vole Males to the Presence of Females Varying in Hormonal Activity. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kapusta
- Institute of Environmental Sciences; Jagiellonian University; Kraków Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kruczek
- Institute of Environmental Sciences; Jagiellonian University; Kraków Poland
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86
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Hoier S, Pfeifle C, von Merten S, Linnenbrink M. Communication at the Garden Fence--Context Dependent Vocalization in Female House Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152255. [PMID: 27022749 PMCID: PMC4811528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
House mice (Mus musculus) live in social groups where they frequently interact with conspecifics, thus communication (e.g. chemical and/or auditory) is essential. It is commonly known that male and female mice produce complex vocalizations in the ultrasonic range (USV) that remind of high-pitched birdsong (so called mouse song) which is mainly used in social interactions. Earlier studies suggest that mice use their USVs for mate attraction and mate choice, but they could also be used as signal during hierarchy establishment and familiarization, or other communication purposes. In this study we elucidated the vocalization behaviour of interacting female mice over an extended period of time under semi-natural conditions. We asked, if the rate or structure of female vocalization differs between different social and non-social contexts. We found that female USV is mainly used in social contexts, driven by direct communication to an unknown individual, the rate of which is decreased over time by a familiarization process. In addition we could show that female mice use two distinct types of USVs, differing in their frequency, which they use differently depending on whether they directly or indirectly communicate with another female. This supports the notion that vocalization in mice is context dependent, driven by a reasonable and yet underestimated amount of complexity that also involves the interplay between different sensory signals, like chemical and auditory cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Hoier
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | | | | | - Miriam Linnenbrink
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
- * E-mail: (ML); (SvM)
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87
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Heyse NC, Brenes JC, Schwarting RK. Exercise reward induces appetitive 50-kHz calls in rats. Physiol Behav 2015; 147:131-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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88
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Hamed A, Szyndler J, Taracha E, Turzyńska D, Sobolewska A, Lehner M, Krząścik P, Daszczuk P. κ-opioid receptor as a key mediator in the regulation of appetitive 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:1941-55. [PMID: 25466704 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3824-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Acute administration of high doses of morphine reduced 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Although morphine meets the classical criteria for inducing 50-kHz USVs (it causes place preference and induces dopamine release in nucleus accumbens), it also inhibits appetitive vocalizations. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to (i) study the pharmacological impact of κ-opioid (KOR) and μ-opioid receptor (MOR) ligands on the emission of 50-kHz USVs triggered by social interaction after long-term isolation and (ii) analyze the concentrations of the main neurotransmitters in reward-related structures (ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)). METHODS In an attempt to define the effects of opioid-receptor activation on the reward system, we used a social interaction test (after 21 days isolation). HPLC analysis was used to determine the monoamine and amino acid concentrations in reward-related structures. RESULTS U-50488 (10.0 mg/kg), morphine (5.0 and 1.0 mg/kg), and naltrexone (5.0 mg/kg) decreased, and nor-BNI (10.0 mg/kg) increased 50-kHz USVs. Acute pretreatment with nor-BNI or naltrexone reduced the 50-kHz suppression induced via morphine. The biochemical data showed several variations between groups regarding dopamine concentrations, serotonin, and their metabolites; these data may suggest that the levels of emitted ultrasound in the 50-kHz band are inversely proportional to the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) ratio in the VTA. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate an important role for KOR in the regulation of 50-kHz USV emissions and suggest that KOR activation may be a key mediator in the regulation of reward responses. Changes in the balance between serotonin and dopamine concentrations in the VTA may be a key predictor for 50-kHz USV emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hamed
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, Warsaw, 02-957, Poland,
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89
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Are 50-khz calls used as play signals in the playful interactions of rats? III. The effects of devocalization on play with unfamiliar partners as juveniles and as adults. Behav Processes 2015; 113:113-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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90
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Inagaki H, Mori Y. The emission of stress-induced 22-kHz calls in female rats is independent of testosterone levels. Horm Behav 2015; 69:116-8. [PMID: 25597917 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although emission of ultrasonic calls in rats induced by stress, referred to as "22-kHz calls," is dependent on circulating testosterone levels in males, it is still unknown whether the same testosterone-based regulation is applicable to female rats. In this study, we investigated the sex difference in the emission of air-puff-induced 22-kHz calls in rats on the basis of the hypothesis that female rats would emit fewer 22-kHz calls, and assessed whether male-like circulating testosterone levels can also influence the emission of 22-kHz calls in females. The experimental results showed that female rats emit significantly fewer 22-kHz calls than male rats. However, male-like circulating testosterone levels have little effect on the emission of 22-kHz calls in females. Hence, it is suggested that there is a sex difference in stress-induced 22-kHz calls in rats and, in contrast to male rats, the emission of 22-kHz calls in female rats may be independent of circulating testosterone levels, as tested in response to air-puff stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Inagaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Ethology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
| | - Yuji Mori
- Laboratory of Veterinary Ethology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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91
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Simola N, Morelli M. Repeated amphetamine administration and long-term effects on 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations: possible relevance to the motivational and dopamine-stimulating properties of the drug. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:343-55. [PMID: 25638025 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of 50kHz are thought to indicate positive affective states in rats, and are increasingly being used to investigate the motivational properties of drugs of abuse. However, previous studies have observed that only dopaminergic psychostimulants of abuse, but not other addictive drugs, stimulate 50-kHz USVs immediately after their administration. This would suggest that 50-kHz USVs induced by addictive dopaminergic psychostimulants might reflect rewarding dopaminergic effect, rather than motivational effect. To elucidate this issue, our study compared the effects of the psychostimulant of abuse amphetamine and the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine on 50-kHz USVs. Rats that received five drug administrations on alternate days in a novel test-cage were first re-exposed to the test-cage 7 days after treatment discontinuation to assess drug-conditioning, and then received a drug challenge. USVs were recorded throughout the experiments together with locomotor activity. To further clarify how amphetamine and apomorphine influenced 50-kHz USVs, rats were subdivided into "low" and "high" vocalizers, and time-dependence of drug effects was assessed. Amphetamine and apomorphine stimulated both 50-kHz USVs and locomotor activity, though they elicited dissimilar changes in these behaviors, depending on drug dose, rats׳ individual predisposition to vocalize, and time. Moreover, only amphetamine-treated rats displayed both sensitized 50-kHz USVs emission and conditioned vocalizations on test-cage re-exposure. These results indicate that the effects of amphetamine on 50-kHz USVs are not mimicked by a dopaminergic agonist with a low abuse potential, and may further support the usefulness of 50-kHz USVs in the study of the motivational properties of psychoactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; CNR, National Research Council of Italy, Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy
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92
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Huang CH, Pei JC, Luo DZ, Chen C, Chen YW, Lai WS. Investigation of gene effects and epistatic interactions between Akt1 and neuregulin 1 in the regulation of behavioral phenotypes and social functions in genetic mouse models of schizophrenia. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 8:455. [PMID: 25688191 PMCID: PMC4310298 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from human genetic studies has suggested several functional candidate genes that might contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia, including AKT1 and neuregulin 1 (NRG1). Recent findings also revealed that NRG1 stimulates the PI3-kinase/AKT signaling pathway, which might be involved in the functional outcomes of some schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Akt1-deficiency and Nrg1-deficiency alone or in combination in the regulation of behavioral phenotypes, cognition, and social functions using genetically modified mice as a model. Male Akt1+/−, Nrg1+/−, and double mutant mice were bred and compared with their wild-type (WT) littermate controls. In Experiment 1, general physical examination revealed that all mutant mice displayed a normal profile of body weight during development and a normal brain activity with microPET scan. In Experiment 2, no significant genotypic differences were found in our basic behavioral phenotyping, including locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, and sensorimotor gating function. However, both Nrg1+/− and double mutant mice exhibited impaired episodic-like memory. Double mutant mice also had impaired sociability. In Experiment 3, a synergistic epistasis between Akt1 and Nrg1 was further confirmed in double mutant mice in that they had impaired social interaction compared to the other 3 groups, especially encountering with a novel male or an ovariectomized female. Double mutant and Nrg1+/− mice also emitted fewer female urine-induced ultrasonic vocalization calls. Collectively, our results indicate that double deficiency of Akt1 and Nrg1 can result in the impairment of social cognitive functions, which might be pertinent to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia-related social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsun Huang
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Chun Pei
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching Chen
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan ; Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan ; Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
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93
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Johnson AM, Grant LM, Schallert T, Ciucci MR. Changes in Rat 50-kHz Ultrasonic Vocalizations During Dopamine Denervation and Aging: Relevance to Neurodegeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:211-9. [PMID: 26411763 PMCID: PMC4598432 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x1302150525122416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Vocal communication is negatively affected by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson disease, and by aging. The neurological and sensorimotor mechanisms underlying voice deficits in Parkinson disease and aging are not well-understood. Rat ultrasonic vocalizations provide a unique behavioral model for studying communication deficits and the mechanisms underlying these deficits in these conditions. The purpose of this review was to examine the existing literature for methods using rat ultrasonic vocalization with regard to the primary disease pathology of Parkinson disease, dopamine denervation, and aging. Although only a small amount of papers were found for each of these topics, results suggest that both shared and unique acoustic deficits in ultrasonic vocalizations exist across conditions and that these acoustic deficits are due to changes in either dopamine signaling or denervation and in aging models changes to the nucleus ambiguus, at the level of the neuromuscular junction, and the composition of the vocal folds in the larynx. We conclude that ultrasonic vocalizations are a useful tool for studying biologic mechanisms underlying vocal communication deficits in neurodegenerative diseases and aging.
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94
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Simola N. Rat Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Behavioral Neuropharmacology: From the Screening of Drugs to the Study of Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:164-79. [PMID: 26411760 PMCID: PMC4598429 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13999150318113800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence indicate that rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to a wide range of stimuli that are capable of producing either euphoric (positive) or dysphoric (negative) emotional states. On these bases, recordings of USVs are extensively used in preclinical studies of affect, motivation, and social behavior. Rat USVs are sensitive to the effects of certain classes of psychoactive drugs, suggesting that emission of rat USVs can have relevance not only to neurobiology, but also to neuropharmacology and psychopharmacology. This review summarizes three types of rat USVs, namely 40-kHz USVs emitted by pups, 22-kHz USVs and 50-kHz USVs emitted by young and adult animals, and relevance of these vocalizations to neuropharmacological studies. Attention will be focused on the issues of how rat USVs can be used to evaluate the pharmacological properties of different classes of drugs, and how rat USVs can be combined with other behavioral models used in neuropharmacology. The strengths and limitations of experimental paradigms based on the evaluation of rat USVs will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale, 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
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95
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Brudzynski SM. Pharmacology of Ultrasonic Vocalizations in adult Rats: Significance, Call Classification and Neural Substrate. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:180-92. [PMID: 26411761 PMCID: PMC4598430 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13999150210141444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological studies of emotional arousal and initiation of emotional states in rats measured by their ultrasonic vocalizations are reviewed. It is postulated that emission of vocalizations is an inseparable feature of emotional states and it evolved from mother-infant interaction. Positive emotional states are associated with emission of 50 kHz vocalizations that could be induced by rewarding situations and dopaminergic activation of the nucleus accumbens and are mediated by D1, D2, and partially D3 dopamine receptors. Three biologically significant subtypes of 50 kHz vocalizations have been identified, all expressing positive emotional states: (1) flat calls without frequency modulation that serve as contact calls during social interactions; (2) frequencymodulated calls without trills that signal rewarding and significantly motivated situation; and (3) frequency-modulated calls with trills or trills themselves that are emitted in highly emotional situations associated with intensive affective state. Negative emotional states are associated with emission of 22 kHz vocalizations that could be induced by aversive situations, muscarinic cholinergic activation of limbic areas of medial diencephalon and forebrain, and are mediated by M2 muscarinic receptors. Two biologically significant subtypes of 22 kHz vocalizations have been identified, both expressing negative emotional sates: (1) long calls that serve as alarm calls and signal external danger; and (2) short calls that express a state of discomfort without external danger. The positive and negative states with emission of vocalizations are initiated by two ascending reticular activating subsystems: the mesolimbic dopaminergic subsystem as a specific positive arousal system, and the mesolimbic cholinergic subsystem as a specific negative arousal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M Brudzynski
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1 Canada.
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96
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Kisko TM, Himmler BT, Himmler SM, Euston DR, Pellis SM. Are 50-kHz calls used as play signals in the playful interactions of rats? II. Evidence from the effects of devocalization. Behav Processes 2014; 111:25-33. [PMID: 25447515 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During playful interactions, juvenile rats emit many 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations, which are associated with a positive affective state. In addition, these calls may also serve a communicative role - as play signals that promote playful contact. Consistent with this hypothesis, a previous study found that vocalizations are more frequent prior to playful contact than after contact is terminated. The present study uses devocalized rats to test three predictions arising from the play signals hypothesis. First, if vocalizations are used to facilitate contact, then in pairs of rats in which one is devocalized, the higher frequency of pre-contact calling should only be present when the intact rat is initiating the approach. Second, when both partners in a playing pair are devocalized, the frequency of play should be reduced and the typical pattern of playful wrestling disrupted. Finally, when given a choice to play with a vocal and a non-vocal partner, rats should prefer to play with the one able to vocalize. The second prediction was supported in that the frequency of playful interactions as well as some typical patterns of play was disrupted. Even though the data for the other two predictions did not produce the expected findings, they support the conclusion that, in rats, 50-kHz calls are likely to function to maintain a playful mood and for them to signal to one another during play fighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Kisko
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Brett T Himmler
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephanie M Himmler
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - David R Euston
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sergio M Pellis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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97
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Sirotin YB, Costa ME, Laplagne DA. Rodent ultrasonic vocalizations are bound to active sniffing behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:399. [PMID: 25477796 PMCID: PMC4235378 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During rodent active behavior, multiple orofacial sensorimotor behaviors, including sniffing and whisking, display rhythmicity in the theta range (~5-10 Hz). During specific behaviors, these rhythmic patterns interlock, such that execution of individual motor programs becomes dependent on the state of the others. Here we performed simultaneous recordings of the respiratory cycle and ultrasonic vocalization emission by adult rats and mice in social settings. We used automated analysis to examine the relationship between breathing patterns and vocalization over long time periods. Rat ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs, "50 kHz") were emitted within stretches of active sniffing (5-10 Hz) and were largely absent during periods of passive breathing (1-4 Hz). Because ultrasound was tightly linked to the exhalation phase, the sniffing cycle segmented vocal production into discrete calls and imposed its theta rhythmicity on their timing. In turn, calls briefly prolonged exhalations, causing an immediate drop in sniffing rate. Similar results were obtained in mice. Our results show that ultrasonic vocalizations are an integral part of the rhythmic orofacial behavioral ensemble. This complex behavioral program is thus involved not only in active sensing but also in the temporal structuring of social communication signals. Many other social signals of mammals, including monkey calls and human speech, show structure in the theta range. Our work points to a mechanism for such structuring in rodent ultrasonic vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yevgeniy B Sirotin
- Shelby White and Leon Levy Center for Brain, Mind and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York NY, USA
| | - Martín Elias Costa
- Integrative Neuroscience Lab, Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego A Laplagne
- Shelby White and Leon Levy Center for Brain, Mind and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York NY, USA ; Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal, Brazil
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98
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Bialy M, Strefnel M, Nikolaev-Diak A, Socha A, Nikolaev E, Boguszewski PM. Sexual performance and precontact 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in WAG/Rij rats: effects of opioid receptor treatment. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 39:66-72. [PMID: 25216068 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
WAG/Rij rats are genetically selected animals that model absence epilepsy in rats. Ultrasonic vocalizations and sexual behavior - both ethologically relevant markers of reward system functioning - are poorly described in this strain. The aim of our experiment was to investigate reward-dependent precontact 50-kHz vocalizations (PVs) and copulatory behavior as well as the effects of opioid receptor treatment on such behaviors in sexually experienced WAG/Rij males and rats from two control strains: Sprague-Dawley and Crl: Han Wistar. We analyzed the effects of the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (3 mg/kg) and the agonist morphine (1 mg/kg) administration. Additionally, we analyzed the initiation of copulation in sexually naïve males before drug treatment. A significantly lower number of sexually naïve WAG/Rij rats initiated copulation. Sexually experienced WAG/Rij males differed at the control session (after physiological saline treatment) compared with Sprague-Dawley rats: WAG/Rij rats displayed more 50-kHz precontact vocalizations and had longer mount and intromission latencies, longer ejaculation latency, longer postejaculatory latency to exploration, longer 22-kHz vocalization duration after ejaculation, and longer postejaculatory intromission latency. Compared with Crl: Han Wistar rats, WAG/Rij males displayed longer mount latency and shorter 22-kHz vocalization duration. Neither naltrexone nor morphine affected PVs in all groups. On the other hand, opioid receptor treatment differently influenced the number of intromissions required to achieve ejaculation and 22-kHz postejaculatory vocalization duration in WAG/Rij rats than in both control groups. This suggests functional differences in the opioid system in this strain. As a result of the number of males that initiated copulation as well as the number of intromissions to ejaculation and 22-kHz postejaculatory vocalizations which all depend on D1 receptor activation, we suggest that the proportion of opioid receptor to D1 receptors in WAG/Rij rats is different when compared with the control strains. The reward system of Wag/Rij rats with absence epilepsy is sensitive to social rewards (high level of precontact 50-kHz ultrasounds) although this strain displays a lower level of sexual motivation (longer mount latency) compared with other control strains. A lower number of sexually naïve rats initiating copulation and longer mount latency in sexually experienced males could suggest a moderate depressive-like syndrome in this strain of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bialy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Banacha 1B, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Michal Strefnel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Banacha 1B, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Nikolaev-Diak
- Teaching Department of Gynaecology and Assisted Birth, The Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 81, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Socha
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Banacha 1B, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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Ridgway SH, Moore PW, Carder DA, Romano TA. Forward shift of feeding buzz components of dolphins and belugas during associative learning reveals a likely connection to reward expectation, pleasure and brain dopamine activation. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:2910-9. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.100511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
For many years, we heard sounds associated with reward from dolphins and belugas. We named these pulsed sounds victory squeals (VS), as they remind us of a child's squeal of delight. Here we put these sounds in context with natural and learned behavior. Like bats, echolocating cetaceans produce feeding buzzes as they approach and catch prey. Unlike bats, cetaceans continue their feeding buzzes after prey capture and the after portion is what we call the VS. Prior to training (or conditioning), the VS comes after the fish reward; with repeated trials it moves to before the reward. During training, we use a whistle or other sound to signal a correct response by the animal. This sound signal, named a secondary reinforcer (SR), leads to the primary reinforcer, fish. Trainers usually name their whistle or other SR a bridge, as it bridges the time gap between the correct response and reward delivery. During learning, the SR becomes associated with reward and the VS comes after the SR rather than after the fish. By following the SR, the VS confirms that the animal expects a reward. Results of early brain stimulation work suggest to us that SR stimulates brain dopamine release, which leads to the VS. Although there are no direct studies of dopamine release in cetaceans, we found that the timing of our VS is consistent with a response after dopamine release. We compared trained vocal responses to auditory stimuli with VS responses to SR sounds. Auditory stimuli that did not signal reward resulted in faster responses by a mean of 151 ms for dolphins and 250 ms for belugas. In laboratory animals, there is a 100 to 200 ms delay for dopamine release. VS delay in our animals is similar and consistent with vocalization after dopamine release. Our novel observation suggests that the dopamine reward system is active in cetacean brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. H. Ridgway
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2410 Shelter Island Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
- US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001, USA
| | - P. W. Moore
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2410 Shelter Island Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
- US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001, USA
| | - D. A. Carder
- US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001, USA
| | - T. A. Romano
- US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001, USA
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100
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Himmler B, Kisko T, Euston D, Kolb B, Pellis S. Are 50-kHz calls used as play signals in the playful interactions of rats? I. Evidence from the timing and context of their use. Behav Processes 2014; 106:60-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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