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Abbasi N, Mirabzadeh Y, Khesali G, Ebrahimkhani Z, Karimi H, Vaseghi S. Chronic REM sleep deprivation leads to manic- and OCD-related behaviors, and decreases hippocampal BDNF expression in female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1345-1363. [PMID: 38430395 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation (SD) can induce manic-like behaviors in rodents. On the other hand, lithium, as one of the oldest drugs used in neuropsychiatric disorders, is still one of the best drugs for the treatment and control of bipolar disorder. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of chronic short-term REM SD in the induction of manic-like behaviors in female rats. METHODS The rats were exposed to REM SD for 14 days (6 hours/day). Lithium was intraperitoneally injected at the doses of 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg. RESULTS REM SD induced hyperactivity and OCD-like behavior, and decreased anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and pain subthreshold. REM SD also impaired passive avoidance memory and decreased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression level. Lithium at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg partly and completely abolished these effects, respectively. However, lithium (100 mg/kg) increased BDNF expression level in control and sham REM SD rats with no significant changes in behavior. CONCLUSIONS Chronic short-term REM SD may induce a mania-like model and lead to OCD-like behavior and irritability. In the present study, we demonstrated a putative rodent model of mania induced by chronic REM SD in female rats. We suggest that future studies should examine behavioral and mood changes following chronic REM SD in both sexes. Furthermore, the relationship between manic-like behaviors and chronic REM SD should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahal Abbasi
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Yasaman Mirabzadeh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golnaz Khesali
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Zahra Ebrahimkhani
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hanie Karimi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
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Rahimi-Danesh M, Samizadeh MA, Sajadi AE, Rezvankhah T, Vaseghi S. Sex difference affects fear extinction but not lithium efficacy in rats following fear-conditioning with respect to the hippocampal level of BDNF. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 234:173675. [PMID: 37972713 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
In rodents, exposure to electrical shock and creating a strong fear memory using fear-conditioning model can induce PTSD-like behavior. In this study, we induced a fear-conditioning model in rats and investigated freezing (PTSD-like) behavior, 21 days after three shocks exposure (0.6 mA, 3 s, 30 seconds interval) in both male and female rats. Lithium was injected intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg) in three protocols: (1) 1 h after fear-conditioning (2) 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h after fear-conditioning (3), 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after fear-conditioning. Extinction training (20 sounds without shocks, 75 dB, 3 s, 30 seconds interval) was performed in three protocols: (1) 1 h after fear-conditioning (one session), (2) 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h after fear-conditioning (three sessions), (3), 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after fear-conditioning (five sessions). Forced swim test (FST) and hot plate were used to assess behavior. Results showed that lithium in all protocols had no effect on freezing behavior, FST, and pain subthreshold in all rats. Extinction training decreased freezing behavior, with more efficacy in females. In males, only 5-session training was effective, while in females all protocols were effective. Extinction training also altered pain perception and the results of FST, depending on the sessions and was different in males and females. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA level was increased in females following 3 and 5 sessions, and in males following 5 sessions extinction training. In conclusion, we suggested that there is a sex difference for the effect of extinction training on freezing behavior and BDNF mRNA level in a rat model of fear-conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrsa Rahimi-Danesh
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Ali Samizadeh
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Amir-Ehsan Sajadi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Tara Rezvankhah
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
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Zhang YH, Wang N, Lin XX, Wang JY, Luo F. Application of Cognitive Bias Testing in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Mini-Review Based on Animal Studies. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:924319. [PMID: 35846788 PMCID: PMC9283837 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.924319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive biases can arise from cognitive processing under affective states and reflect the impact of emotion on cognition. In animal studies, the existing methods for detecting animal emotional state are still relatively limited, and cognitive bias test has gradually become an important supplement. In recent years, its effectiveness in animal research related to neuropsychiatric disorders has been widely verified. Some studies have found that cognitive bias test is more sensitive than traditional test methods such as forced swimming test and sucrose preference test in detecting emotional state. Therefore, it has great potential to become an important tool to measure the influence of neuropsychiatric disorder-associated emotions on cognitive processing. Moreover, it also can be used in early drug screening to effectively assess the potential effects or side effects of drugs on affective state prior to clinical trials. In this mini-review, we summarize the application of cognitive bias tests in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and pain. We also discussed its critical value in the identification of neuropsychiatric disorders and the validation of therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Ning Wang,
| | - Xiao-Xiao Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Yan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Yıldız A, Vardı N, Parlakpınar H, Ateş B, Çolakoğlu N. Effects of Low- and High-Dose Valproic Acid and Lamotrigine on the Heart in Female Rats. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2022; 22:326-340. [DOI: 10.1007/s12012-021-09714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Noworyta K, Cieslik A, Rygula R. Reinforcement-based cognitive biases as vulnerability factors in alcohol addiction: From humans to animal models. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:4265-4280. [PMID: 34232505 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common, but still poorly treated, psychiatric conditions. Developing new treatments requires a better understanding of the aetiology of symptoms and evaluation of novel therapeutic targets in preclinical studies. Recent developments in our understanding of the reinforcement-based cognitive biases (RBCBs) that contribute to the development of AUD and its treatment offer new opportunities for both clinical and preclinical research. In this review, we first briefly describe psychological and cognitive theories that involve various aspects of reinforcement sensitivity in the development, maintenance, and recurrence of alcohol addiction. Furthermore, in separate sections, we describe studies investigating RBCBs and their neural, neurochemical, and pharmacological correlates, and we discuss possible interactions between RBCBs and trajectories of AUD. Finally, we describe how recent translational studies using state-of-the-art animal models can facilitate our understanding of the role of reinforcement sensitivity and RBCBs in various aspects of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Noworyta
- Department of Pharmacology, Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agata Cieslik
- Department of Pharmacology, Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Rafal Rygula
- Department of Pharmacology, Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
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Alexander R, Aragón OR, Bookwala J, Cherbuin N, Gatt JM, Kahrilas IJ, Kästner N, Lawrence A, Lowe L, Morrison RG, Mueller SC, Nusslock R, Papadelis C, Polnaszek KL, Helene Richter S, Silton RL, Styliadis C. The neuroscience of positive emotions and affect: Implications for cultivating happiness and wellbeing. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 121:220-249. [PMID: 33307046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review paper provides an integrative account regarding neurophysiological correlates of positive emotions and affect that cumulatively contribute to the scaffolding for happiness and wellbeing in humans and other animals. This paper reviews the associations among neurotransmitters, hormones, brain networks, and cognitive functions in the context of positive emotions and affect. Consideration of lifespan developmental perspectives are incorporated, and we also examine the impact of healthy social relationships and environmental contexts on the modulation of positive emotions and affect. The neurophysiological processes that implement positive emotions are dynamic and modifiable, and meditative practices as well as flow states that change patterns of brain function and ultimately support wellbeing are also discussed. This review is part of "The Human Affectome Project" (http://neuroqualia.org/background.php), and in order to advance a primary aim of the Human Affectome Project, we also reviewed relevant linguistic dimensions and terminology that characterizes positive emotions and wellbeing. These linguistic dimensions are discussed within the context of the neuroscience literature with the overarching goal of generating novel recommendations for advancing neuroscience research on positive emotions and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Alexander
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia; Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Oriana R Aragón
- Yale University, 2 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Clemson University, 252 Sirrine Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Jamila Bookwala
- Department of Psychology and Program in Aging Studies, Lafayette College, 730 High Road, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health, and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Justine M Gatt
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Ian J Kahrilas
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Niklas Kästner
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Alistair Lawrence
- Scotland's Rural College, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom; The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Leroy Lowe
- Neuroqualia (NGO), Truro, NS, B2N 1X5, Canada
| | - Robert G Morrison
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Sven C Mueller
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Robin Nusslock
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Christos Papadelis
- Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center, Cook Children's Health Care System, 1500 Cooper St, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA; Laboratory of Children's Brain Dynamics, Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly L Polnaszek
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Rebecca L Silton
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA; Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, 633 N. Saint Clair, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Charis Styliadis
- Neuroscience of Cognition and Affection group, Lab of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
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7
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Subordination in female rats impedes learning as determined by a judgment bias training protocol. J Vet Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Krakenberg V, von Kortzfleisch VT, Kaiser S, Sachser N, Richter SH. Differential Effects of Serotonin Transporter Genotype on Anxiety-Like Behavior and Cognitive Judgment Bias in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:263. [PMID: 31849623 PMCID: PMC6902087 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, the short allele of a common polymorphism in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is associated with a higher risk to develop depression and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, individuals carrying this allele are characterized by negative judgment biases, as they tend to interpret ambiguous information in a more pessimistic way. 5-HTT knockout mice, lacking the 5-HTT gene either homo- or heterozygously, provide a widely used model organism for the study of symptoms related to human anxiety disorders. In the present study, we aimed to prove the anxiety-like phenotype of the 5-HTT mouse model, and to investigate whether 5-HTT genotype also causes differences in judgment bias. While our results confirm that homozygous 5-HTT knockout mice display highest levels of anxiety-like behavior, it was decreased in heterozygous mice. Against our expectations, we did not detect differences in the animals’ judgment bias. These results indicate that at least in mice the association between 5-HTT genotype and judgment bias is not straightforward and that other factors, including multiple genes as well as environmental influences, are implicated in the modulation of judgment biases. More research is needed to gain further insights into their function as potential endophenotypes for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Krakenberg
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Vanessa Tabea von Kortzfleisch
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Assessing animal affect: an automated and self-initiated judgement bias task based on natural investigative behaviour. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12400. [PMID: 30120315 PMCID: PMC6098098 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30571-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific methods for assessing animal affect, especially affective valence (positivity or negativity), allow us to evaluate animal welfare and the effectiveness of 3Rs Refinements designed to improve wellbeing. Judgement bias tasks measure valence; however, task-training may be lengthy and/or require significant time from researchers. Here we develop an automated and self-initiated judgement bias task for rats which capitalises on their natural investigative behaviour. Rats insert their noses into a food trough to start trials. They then hear a tone and learn either to stay for 2 s to receive a food reward or to withdraw promptly to avoid an air-puff. Which contingency applies is signalled by two different tones. Judgement bias is measured by responses to intermediate ambiguous tones. In two experiments we show that rats learn the task in fewer sessions than other automated variants, generalise responses across ambiguous tones as expected, self-initiate 4-5 trials/min, and can be tested repeatedly. Affect manipulations generate main effect trends in the predicted directions, although not localised to ambiguous tones, so further construct validation is required. We also find that tone-reinforcer pairings and reinforcement or non-reinforcement of ambiguous trials can affect responses to ambiguity. This translatable task should facilitate more widespread uptake of judgement bias testing.
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10
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Der-Avakian A, Pizzagalli DA. Translational Assessments of Reward and Anhedonia: A Tribute to Athina Markou. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:932-939. [PMID: 29615189 PMCID: PMC5953796 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Loss of pleasure (clinically referred to as anhedonia), impairments in other reward-related processes such as reward learning, motivation, and reward valuation, and blunted affect characterize several mood and other psychiatric disorders. Despite the availability of many therapeutic options for these disorders, reward-related impairments remain challenging to treat and often persist despite alleviation of other symptoms. Lack of animal models of reward-related impairments and affect that have high construct and predictive validity is a key obstacle to developing novel treatments. This review highlights 1) guidelines to consider when developing translatable animal models; and 2) recent efforts to develop new reward-related assessments in humans and nonhuman animals that have been translated or back-translated from one species to another. The procedures described in this review are used to assess aspects of reward learning, motivated behavior, reward valuation, and affect. In several cases, researchers have attempted to implement task parameters that are as identical as possible to the parallel parameters used in existing cross-species tasks, with the goal of improving the translation of preclinical drug discovery findings to the clinic. In this regard, Dr. Athina Markou, who worked tirelessly throughout her career to understand and treat reward-related impairments across several psychiatric disorders, had great influence on conceptualizing the development and use of translational animal models of reward-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Der-Avakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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Phillips BU, Dewan S, Nilsson SRO, Robbins TW, Heath CJ, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Alsiö J. Selective effects of 5-HT2C receptor modulation on performance of a novel valence-probe visual discrimination task and probabilistic reversal learning in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:2101-2111. [PMID: 29682701 PMCID: PMC6015605 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4907-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Dysregulation of the serotonin (5-HT) system is a pathophysiological component in major depressive disorder (MDD), a condition closely associated with abnormal emotional responsivity to positive and negative feedback. However, the precise mechanism through which 5-HT tone biases feedback responsivity remains unclear. 5-HT2C receptors (5-HT2CRs) are closely linked with aspects of depressive symptomatology, including abnormalities in reinforcement processes and response to stress. Thus, we aimed to determine the impact of 5-HT2CR function on response to feedback in biased reinforcement learning. METHODS We used two touchscreen assays designed to assess the impact of positive and negative feedback on probabilistic reinforcement in mice, including a novel valence-probe visual discrimination (VPVD) and a probabilistic reversal learning procedure (PRL). Systemic administration of a 5-HT2CR agonist and antagonist resulted in selective changes in the balance of feedback sensitivity bias on these tasks. RESULTS Specifically, on VPVD, SB 242084, the 5-HT2CR antagonist, impaired acquisition of a discrimination dependent on appropriate integration of positive and negative feedback. On PRL, SB 242084 at 1 mg/kg resulted in changes in behaviour consistent with reduced sensitivity to positive feedback. In contrast, WAY 163909, the 5-HT2CR agonist, resulted in changes associated with increased sensitivity to positive feedback and decreased sensitivity to negative feedback. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that 5-HT2CRs tightly regulate feedback sensitivity bias in mice with consequent effects on learning and cognitive flexibility and specify a framework for the influence of 5-HT2CRs on sensitivity to reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U. Phillips
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Sigma Dewan
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Simon R. O. Nilsson
- Rodent Behavioral Core, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Trevor W. Robbins
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Christopher J. Heath
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK
| | - Lisa M. Saksida
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON Canada ,The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Timothy J. Bussey
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON Canada ,The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
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Golebiowska J, Rygula R. Effects of acute dopaminergic and serotonergic manipulations in the ACI paradigm depend on the basal valence of cognitive judgement bias in rats. Behav Brain Res 2017; 327:133-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Xiao B, Cui LQ, Ding C, Wang H. Effects of Lithium and 2,4-Dichlorophenol on Zebrafish: Circadian Rhythm Disorder and Molecular Effects. Zebrafish 2017; 14:209-215. [DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Ecology and Pollution Control of Coastal Wetlands, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Qiang Cui
- Key Laboratory for Ecology and Pollution Control of Coastal Wetlands, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Ding
- Key Laboratory for Ecology and Pollution Control of Coastal Wetlands, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Han Wang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Golebiowska J, Rygula R. Lesions of the Orbitofrontal but Not Medial Prefrontal Cortex Affect Cognitive Judgment Bias in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:51. [PMID: 28377703 PMCID: PMC5359275 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies in humans have recently shown that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) mediate bias in the judgment of forthcoming events. In the present study, we sought to determine whether cognitive judgment bias (CJB) is also dependent on these prefrontal regions in non-human animals. For this, we trained a cohort of rats in the ambiguous-cue interpretation (ACI) paradigm, subjected them to excitotoxic lesions in the medial PFC (mPFC) and OFC, and tested the effects of neuronal loss within these regions on CJB. Comparison of the lesions' behavioral effects in the ACI paradigm revealed that neuronal loss within the OFC but not within the mPFC influences the interpretation of ambiguous cues by animals. Our findings demonstrate the specific involvement of the OFC in CJB in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Golebiowska
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of SciencesKrakow, Poland
| | - Rafal Rygula
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of SciencesKrakow, Poland
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16
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Papciak J, Rygula R. Measuring Cognitive Judgement Bias in Rats Using the Ambiguous-Cue Interpretation Test. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN NEUROSCIENCE 2017; 78:9.57.1-9.57.22. [PMID: 28046201 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
An active-choice, operant, ambiguous-cue interpretation (ACI) paradigm is described that can be used for measuring cognitive judgement bias in rats. In this behavioral test, animals in an operant conditioning chamber are trained to press a lever to receive a food reward when a specific tone is presented, and to press another lever in response to a different tone to avoid punishment by an electric foot-shock. The tones, which serve as discriminative stimuli, acquire a positive or negative valence, and the training continues until the rats demonstrate a stable, correct discrimination between these two stimuli. The animals are tested after they have attained stable discrimination performance. The ambiguous-cue test consists of a discrimination task, as described above, but includes the presentation of additional tones with frequencies that are intermediate between the trained positive and negative tones. The lever-press response pattern to these ambiguous cues is considered an indicator of the rat's expectation of a positive or negative event; in other words, it is a measure of 'optimism' or 'pessimism', respectively. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Papciak
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Krakow, Poland
- Currently at School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Rafal Rygula
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Krakow, Poland
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Brzózka MM, Havemann-Reinecke U, Wichert SP, Falkai P, Rossner MJ. Molecular Signatures of Psychosocial Stress and Cognition Are Modulated by Chronic Lithium Treatment. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42 Suppl 1:S22-33. [PMID: 26714764 PMCID: PMC4960433 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic psychosocial stress is an important environmental risk factor of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. Social defeat in rodents has been shown to be associated with maladaptive cellular and behavioral consequences including cognitive impairments. Although gene expression changes upon psychosocial stress have been described, a comprehensive transcriptome profiling study at the global level in precisely defined hippocampal subregions which are associated with learning has been lacking. In this study, we exposed adult C57Bl/6N mice for 3 weeks to "resident-intruder" paradigm and combined laser capture microdissection with microarray analyses to identify transcriptomic signatures of chronic psychosocial stress in dentate gyrus and CA3 subregion of the dorsal hippocampus. At the individual transcript level, we detected subregion specific stress responses whereas gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) identified several common pathways upregulated upon chronic psychosocial stress related to proteasomal function and energy supply. Behavioral profiling revealed stress-associated impairments most prominent in fear memory formation which was prevented by chronic lithium treatment. Thus, we again microdissected the CA3 region and performed global transcriptome analysis to search for molecular signatures altered by lithium treatment in stressed animals. By combining GSEA with unsupervised clustering, we detected pathways that are regulated by stress and lithium in the CA3 region of the hippocampus including proteasomal components, oxidative phosphorylation, and anti-oxidative mechanisms. Our study thus provides insight into hidden molecular phenotypes of chronic psychosocial stress and lithium treatment and proves a beneficial role for lithium treatment as an agent attenuating negative effects of psychosocial stress on cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena M. Brzózka
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Munich, Germany;,*To whom correspondence should be addressed; Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Nussbaumstr. 7, D-80336 Munich, Germany; tel: +49-89-4400-52743, fax: +49-89-4400-54741, e-mail:
| | - Ursula Havemann-Reinecke
- Department of Psychiatry and CNMPB-DFG Research Center, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Sven P. Wichert
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz J. Rossner
- Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Munich, Germany;,Department of Neurogenetics, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, Germany
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Roelofs S, Boleij H, Nordquist RE, van der Staay FJ. Making Decisions under Ambiguity: Judgment Bias Tasks for Assessing Emotional State in Animals. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:119. [PMID: 27375454 PMCID: PMC4899464 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Judgment bias tasks (JBTs) are considered as a family of promising tools in the assessment of emotional states of animals. JBTs provide a cognitive measure of optimism and/or pessimism by recording behavioral responses to ambiguous stimuli. For instance, a negative emotional state is expected to produce a negative or pessimistic judgment of an ambiguous stimulus, whereas a positive emotional state produces a positive or optimistic judgment of the same ambiguous stimulus. Measuring an animal's emotional state or mood is relevant in both animal welfare research and biomedical research. This is reflected in the increasing use of JBTs in both research areas. We discuss the different implementations of JBTs with animals, with a focus on their potential as an accurate measure of emotional state. JBTs have been successfully applied to a very broad range of species, using many different types of testing equipment and experimental protocols. However, further validation of this test is deemed necessary. For example, the often extensive training period required for successful judgment bias testing remains a possible factor confounding results. Also, the issue of ambiguous stimuli losing their ambiguity with repeated testing requires additional attention. Possible improvements are suggested to further develop the JBTs in both animal welfare and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Roelofs
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Behavior and Welfare Group (Formerly Emotion and Cognition Group), Utrecht University Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hetty Boleij
- Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Rebecca E Nordquist
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Behavior and Welfare Group (Formerly Emotion and Cognition Group), Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Franz Josef van der Staay
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Behavior and Welfare Group (Formerly Emotion and Cognition Group), Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
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Rafa D, Kregiel J, Popik P, Rygula R. Effects of optimism on gambling in the rat slot machine task. Behav Brain Res 2016; 300:97-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Rygula R, Golebiowska J, Kregiel J, Kubik J, Popik P. Effects of optimism on motivation in rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:32. [PMID: 25762910 PMCID: PMC4340205 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, optimism is a cognitive construct related to motivation; optimists exert effort, whereas pessimists disengage from effort. In this study, using a recently developed ambiguous-cue interpretation (ACI) paradigm we took the unique opportunity to investigate whether "optimism" as a trait is correlated with motivation in rodents. In a series of ACI tests (cognitive bias screening, CBS), we identified rats displaying "pessimistic" and "optimistic" traits. Subsequently, we investigated the trait differences in the motivation of these rats to gain reward and to avoid punishment using a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement paradigm. Although "optimistic" and "pessimistic" animals did not differ in their motivation to avoid punishment, the "optimistic" rats were significantly more motivated to gain reward than their "pessimistic" conspecifics. For the first time, we showed an association between cognitive judgment bias and motivation in an animal model. Because both investigated processes are closely related to mental health and wellbeing, our results may be valuable for preclinical modeling of many psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Rygula
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Golebiowska
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland
| | - Jakub Kregiel
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland
| | - Jakub Kubik
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland ; Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Poland
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