Behavioral habituation to spatial novelty: interference and noninterference studies

A partial habituation method to test for anterograde and retrograde amnestic treatment effects: Evidence that antagonism of the NMDA receptor can induce anterograde but not retrograde amnestic effects

BACKGROUND

A progressive decrease in spontaneous locomotion with repeated exposure to a novel environment has been assessed using both within and between-session measures. While both are well-established and reliable measurements, neither are useful alone as methods to concurrently assess treatment effects on acquisition and retention of habituation.

NEW METHOD

We report a behavioral method that measures habituation by combining the within and between measurements of locomotion. We used a 30 min session divided into 6 five min blocks. In the first novel environment session activity was maximal in the first 5 min block but was reduced to a low level by the sixth block, indicative of within-session habituation. Using 8 daily sessions, we showed that this terminal block low level of activity progressed incrementally to the first block to achieve complete habituation.

RESULTS/COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

Within-session activity across sessions was used to identify different stages of between session habituation. It was then possible to assess drug treatment effects from partial to complete habituation, so that treatment effects on retention of the previously acquired partial habituation, expressed as a reversion to an earlier within session habituation pattern (retrograde amnesia assessment), as well as the effects on new learning by the failure in subsequent sessions to acquire complete between-session habituation (anterograde amnesia assessment).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of spontaneous motor activity to assess learning and memory effects provides the opportunity to assess direct treatment effects on behavior and motor activity in contrast to many learning and memory models.

Systemic kappa opioid receptor antagonism accelerates reinforcement learning via augmentation of novelty processing in male mice

Selective inhibition of kappa opioid receptors (KORs) is highly anticipated as a pharmacotherapeutic intervention for substance use disorders and depression. The accepted explanation for KOR antagonist-induced amelioration of aberrant behaviors posits that KORs globally function as a negative valence system; antagonism thereby blunts the behavioral influence of negative internal states such as anhedonia and negative affect. While effects of systemic KOR manipulations have been widely reproduced, explicit evaluation of negative valence as an explanatory construct is lacking. Here, we tested a series of falsifiable hypotheses generated a priori based on the negative valence model by pairing reinforcement learning tasks with systemic pharmacological KOR blockade in male C57BL/6J mice. The negative valence model failed to predict multiple experimental outcomes: KOR blockade accelerated contingency learning during both positive and negative reinforcement without altering innate responses to appetitive or aversive stimuli. We next proposed novelty processing, which influences learning independent of valence, as an alternative explanatory construct. Hypotheses based on novelty processing predicted subsequent observations: KOR blockade increased exploration of a novel, but not habituated, environment and augmented the reinforcing efficacy of novel visual stimuli in a sensory reinforcement task. Together, these results revise and extend long-standing theories of KOR system function.

Exposure of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to SARS-CoV-2 at predicted environmentally relevant concentrations: Outspreading warns about ecotoxicological risks to freshwater fish

While the multifaceted social, economic, and public health impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are known, little is known about its effects on non-target aquatic ecosystems and organisms. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the potential ecotoxicity of SARS-CoV-2 lysate protein (SARS.CoV2/SP02.2020.HIAE.Br) in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) at predicted environmentally relevant concentrations (0.742 and 2.226 pg/L), by 30 days. Although our data did not show locomotor alterations or anxiety-like or/and anxiolytic-like behavior, we noticed that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 negatively affected habituation memory and social aggregation of animals in response to a potential aquatic predator (Geophagus brasiliensis). An increased frequency of erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities was also observed in animals exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, our data suggest that such changes were associated with a redox imbalance [↑ROS (reactive oxygen species), ↑H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide), ↓SOD (superoxide dismutase), and ↓CAT (catalase)], cholinesterasic effect [↑AChE (acetylcholinesterase) activity], as well as the induction of an inflammatory immune response [↑NO (nitric oxide), ↑IFN-γ (interferon-gamma), and ↓IL-10 (interleukin-10)]. For some biomarkers, we noticed that the response of the animals to the treatments was not concentration-dependent. However, principal component analysis (PCA) and the "Integrated Biomarker Response" index (IBRv2) indicated a more prominent ecotoxicity of SARS-CoV-2 at 2.226 pg/L. Therefore, our study advances knowledge about the ecotoxicological potential of SARS-CoV-2 and reinforces the presumption that the COVID-19 pandemic has negative implications beyond its economic, social, and public health impacts.

A new method to study learning and memory using spontaneous locomotor activity in an open-field arena

BACKGROUND

Reduced locomotion with repeated exposure to a novel environment is often used as a measure of the basic adaptive learning process of habituation. While this is a well-established and reliable measure of habituation, it is not useful for the investigation of neurobiological changes before and after habituation because of the uncontrolled differential activity levels in a novel versus habituated environment. In this study we report a behavioral method that uses spontaneous locomotion to measure habituation, in which the total spontaneous locomotion in an initially novel environment does not change with repeated testing but, the ratio of central to peripheral activity does change and is indicative of habituation. The test sessions are brief (5 min) and the locomotion is measured in 2 separate zones. The peripheral zone comprises 8/9 of the test arena and the central zone 1/9 of the arena.

RESULTS/COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

In contrast to methods that use between-session reductions in locomotion to assess habituation, this method employs brief test sessions in which overall activity between sessions does not change, but the distribution of locomotion in the periphery versus the central zone of the arena does change. The brevity of the test session also enables us to utilize post-trial drug treatment protocols to impact memory consolidation.

CONCLUSIONS

The progressive change in the central/peripheral activity ratio with repeated testing can be determined independently of total activity and provides a habituation acquisition function that permits the measurement of neurobiological changes without the complication of effects related to changes in locomotor activity per se. The present report also presents evidence that this method can be used with post-trial drug treatment protocols to study the learning and memory effects of the post-trial treatments without the use of explicit rewards and punishments.

Measuring Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Traumatic Brain Injury

Anxiety is a common complaint following acquired traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the measurement of dysfunctional anxiety behavioral states following experimental TBI in rodents is complex. Some studies report increased anxiety after TBI, whereas others find a decreased anxiety-like state, often described as increased risk-taking behavior or impulsivity. These inconsistencies may reflect a lack of standardization of experimental injury models or of behavioral testing techniques. Here, we review the most commonly employed unconditioned tests of anxiety and discuss them in a context of experimental TBI. Special attention is given to the effects of repeated testing, and consideration of potential sensory and motor confounds in injured rodents. The use of multiple tests and alternative data analysis methods are discussed, as well as the potential for the application of common data elements (CDEs) as a means of providing a format for documentation of experimental details and procedures of each published research report. CDEs may improve the rigor, reproducibility, as well as endpoint for better relating findings with clinical TBI phenotypes and the final goal of translation. While this may not resolve all incongruities in findings across laboratories, it is seen as a way forward for standardized and universal data collection for improvement of data quality and sharing, and advance therapies for neuropsychiatric symptoms that often present for decades following TBI.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potentials of Highly Selective Oxygenated Chalcone Based MAO-B Inhibitors in a Haloperidol-Induced Murine Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic systems, in which dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin levels are depleted and lead to the development of motor and non-motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, weight changes, fatigue, depression, and visual hallucinations. Therapeutic strategies place much focus on dopamine replacement and the inhibition of dopamine metabolism. The present study was based on the known abilities of chalcones to act as molecular scaffolds that selectively inhibit MAO-B with the added advantage of binding reversibly. Recently, we synthesized a series of 26 chalcone compounds, amongst which (2E)-1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (O10) and (2E)-1-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (O23) most inhibited MAO-B. Hence, the present study was performed to explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effect of O10 and O23 at varying doses such as 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg each in a haloperidol-induced murine model of PD. Both compounds were effective (though O23 was the more effective) at ameliorating extrapyramidal and non-motor symptoms in the model and improved locomotory and exploratory behaviors, reduced oxidative stress markers, and enhanced antioxidant marker and neurotransmitter levels. Furthermore, histopathological studies showed O10 and O23 both reduced neurofibrillary tangles and plaques to almost normal control levels.

The diurnal variation of open-field habituation in rats

The present study aimed to establish the effect of time of the day on habituation in the open-field test, one of the most elementary forms of non-associative hippocampal-dependent learning. Open-field test was performed in young adult male Wistar rats at the beginning (08:30-10:00 h; defined as Zeitgeber time (ZT) ZT0.5-2), mid-time (13:00-14:30 h, ZT5-6.5) and at the end (18:30-20:00 h, ZT10.5-12) of the light period. Our results revealed that in the acquisition trial there were no significant differences among the six parameters recorded through tested periods. In contrast, the level of habituation in the ambulation and rearing rose as followed: ZT0.5-2 < ZT10.5-12 < ZT5-6.5. In both trials, the principal component analysis highlights two components: component 1 was mainly loaded by ambulation in the outer and inner area, rearing and freezing behaviors, whereas component 2 was mostly loaded on grooming activity and defecation. The correlation between parameters varied across the period of day and trial. Animals that expressed a higher level of grooming, defecation (ZT5-6.5) and freezing behavior (ZT0.5-2 and ZT5-6.5) at acquisition trial habituated better on those parameters on the retention trial. In conclusion, habituation outcomes to the open-field test and correlation between tested parameters highly depend on daytime.

Social isolation improves the performance of rodents in a novel cognitive flexibility task

Background

Social isolation, i.e., the deprivation of social contact, is a highly stressful circumstance that affects behavioral and functional brain development in social animals. Cognitive flexibility, one of the essential executive brain function that facilitates survival problem solving, was reported to be impaired after social isolation rearing. However, most of the previous studies have focused on the constrained aspect of flexibility and little is known about the unconstrained aspect. In the present study, the unconstrained cognitive flexibility of Kunming mice (Mus musculus, Km) reared in isolation was examined by a novel digging task. The exploratory behavior of the mice was also tested utilizing the hole-board and elevated plus maze tests to explain the differences in cognitive flexibility between the mice reared socially and in isolation.

Results

The results demonstrated that the isolated mice had a higher success rate in solving the novel digging problem and showed a higher rate of exploratory behavior compared with the controls. Linear regression analysis revealed that the time it took the mice to solve the digging problem was negatively associated with exploratory behavior.

Conclusions

The data suggest that social isolation rearing improves unconstrained cognitive flexibility in mice, which is probably related to an increase in their exploratory behavior. Such effects may reflect the behavioral and cognitive evolutionary adaptations of rodents to survive under complex and stressful conditions.

GPR88 in D1R-Type and D2R-Type Medium Spiny Neurons Differentially Regulates Affective and Motor Behavior

The orphan receptor GPR88 is highly expressed in D1 receptor (D1R)- and D2R-medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and has been associated to striatum-dependent functions in rodents. The total deletion of Gpr88 in mice was shown to decrease anxiety-like behaviors, increase stereotypies and locomotion, and impair motor coordination and motor learning. Knowing the opposing role of D1R- and D2R-MSNs, we here investigated the respective roles of GPR88 in the two MSN subtypes for these behaviors. To do so, we compared effects of a conditional Gpr88 gene knock-out (KO) in D1R-MSNs (D1R-Gpr88 mice) or D2R-MSNs (A_2AR-Gpr88 mice) with effects of the total Gpr88 KO (CMV-Gpr88 mice). Overall, most phenotypes of CMV-Gpr88 mice were recapitulated in A_2AR-Gpr88 mice, including reduced marble burying, increased social interactions, increased locomotor activity and stereotypies in the open field, and reduced motor coordination in the rotarod. Exceptions were the reduced habituation to the open field and reduced motor skill learning, which were observed in CMV-Gpr88 and D1R-Gpr88 mice, but not in A_2AR-Gpr88 mice. D1R-Gpr88 mice otherwise showed no other phenotype in this study. Our data together show that GPR88 modulates the function of both D1R- and D2R-MSNs, and that GPR88 activity in these two neuron populations has very different and dissociable impacts on behavior. We suggest that GPR88 in D2R-MSNs shapes defensive and social behavior and contributes in maintaining the inhibition of basal ganglia outputs to control locomotion, stereotypies and motor coordination, while GPR88 in D1R-MSNs promotes novelty habituation and motor learning.

Long-term early life adverse experience impairs responsiveness to exteroceptive stimuli in adult rats

It has been shown that early life traumatic events strongly alter the physiology and behavior in adult rats. In the present study, the effect of postnatal stressor on the spontaneous behavior of adult male rats was evaluated. A method of positive habituation based on a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns and attention of animals to a stimulus object was used. Twenty-four dams and twenty-four of their male progeny were used. Pups were divided into three groups (n = 8): controls (C); maternal social stressor (S); maternal social and physical stressors (SW). Animals (postnatal day 70-80) were individually placed in the open field arena in two habituation sessions with a 24-h delay between them (Test day 1 and Test day 2). Before the start of third session (Test day 3) a solid object was fixed in the center of the arena. Each test lasted 10 min. Our results showed the habituation effect in both stressed-groups. Although there were no significant differences in the number of investigations of the novel object among all tested groups, stress-exposed rats spent less time investigating the object. In conclusion, our findings indicate that long-term neonatal stress may impair an animal's ability to sustain attention to stimuli.

Assessment of the Central Effects of Natural Uranium via Behavioural Performances and the Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolome

Natural uranium (NU), a component of the earth's crust, is not only a heavy metal but also an alpha particle emitter, with chemical and radiological toxicity. Populations may therefore be chronically exposed to NU through drinking water and food. Since the central nervous system is known to be sensitive to pollutants during its development, we assessed the effects on the behaviour and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolome of rats exposed for 9 months from birth to NU via lactation and drinking water (1.5, 10, or 40 mg·L(-1) for male rats and 40 mg·L(-1) for female rats). Medium-term memory decreased in comparison to controls in male rats exposed to 1.5, 10, or 40 mg·L(-1) NU. In male rats, spatial working memory and anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour were only altered by exposure to 40 mg·L(-1) NU and any significant effect was observed on locomotor activity. In female rats exposed to NU, only locomotor activity was significantly increased in comparison with controls. LC-MS metabolomics of CSF discriminated the fingerprints of the male and/or female NU-exposed and control groups. This study suggests that exposure to environmental doses of NU from development to adulthood can have an impact on rat brain function.

Reciprocal activation/inactivation of ERK in the amygdala and frontal cortex is correlated with the degree of novelty of an open-field environment

RATIONALE

Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has been used to identify brain areas activated by exogenous stimuli including psychostimulant drugs.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the role of the amygdala in emotional responses.

METHODS

Experimental manipulations were performed in which environmental familiarity was the variable. To provide the maximal degree of familiarity, ERK was measured after removal from the home cage and re-placement back into the same cage. To maximize exposure to an unfamiliar environment, ERK was measured following placement into a novel open field. To assess whether familiarity was the critical variable in the ERK response to the novel open field, ERK was also measured after either four or eight placements into the same environment. ERK quantification was carried out in the amygdala, frontal cortex, and the nucleus accumbens.

RESULTS

After home cage re-placement, ERK activation was found in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens but was absent in the amygdala. Following placement in a novel environment, ERK activation was more prominent in the amygdala than the frontal cortex or nucleus accumbens. In contrast, with habituation to the novel environment, ERK phosphors declined markedly in the amygdala but increased in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens to the level observed following home cage re-placement.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential responsiveness of the amygdala versus the frontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens to a novel versus a habituated environment is consistent with a reciprocal interaction between these neural systems and points to their important role in the mediation of behavioral activation to novelty and behavioral inactivation with habituation.

Evaluating the biological impact of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) on developmental and exploratory profile of zebrafish larvae

In this study, we employed zebrafish as an animal model to evaluate the biological effect of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) on early developmentviamorphological, physiological, and behavioural analyses.

Variants of Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase Gene Moderate Atomoxetine Response in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE

Atomoxetine is the most widely used nonstimulant for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It selectively acts on the norepinephrine (NE) system. Dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) regulates the synthesis of NE. This study aimed to investigate whether variants in the DBH gene have an effect on the differential response to atomoxetine.

METHODS

Children and adolescents with ADHD were enrolled in a prospective, open-label study of atomoxetine for 8-12 weeks. The dose was titrated to 1.2-1.4 mg/kg per day and maintained for at least 4 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV). Three categorical evaluations of treatment effects (defined as response, robust response, and remission) were used. We used a candidate gene approach. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DBH were selected and genotyped based on the functional annotation in literature. Their association with response or remission status was analyzed.

RESULTS

Four SNPs were found nominally associated with response status (rs1076150, p = 0.0484; rs2873804, p = 0.0348; rs1548364, p = 0.0383; and rs2519154, p = 0.0097), two were associated with robust response (rs1076150, p = 0.0349; and rs2519154, p = 0.0047), and one was associated with remission (rs2519154, p = 0.0479). The association between rs2519154 and robust response was significant after correction of multiple comparison (p = 0.0384). Two haplotypes of linkage disequilibrium (LD) block1 (constituted by rs1108580, rs2873804, rs1548364, and rs2519154) were nominally associated with response and robust response status (CTAC: p = 0.0301 for response, p = 0.0374 for robust response; TCGT: p = 0.0317 for response, p = 0.021 for robust response), whereas one haplotype (GC) of LD block2 (constituted by rs2073837 and rs129882) was associated with robust response and remission status (p = 0.0377 for robust response; p = 0.0321 for remission), although none achieved significant threshold after multiple comparison.

CONCLUSIONS

Variants in DBH genes were associated with atomoxetine response in the treatment of ADHD. Further replication in larger samples would be warranted.

Serotonin and conditioning: focus on Pavlovian psychostimulant drug conditioning

Serotonin containing neurons are located in nuclei deep in the brainstem and send axons throughout the central nervous system from the spinal cord to the cerebral cortex. The vast scope of these connections and interactions enable serotonin and serotonin analogs to have profound effects upon sensory/motor processes. In that conditioning represents a neuroplastic process that leads to new sensory/motor connections, it is apparent that the serotonin system has the potential for a critical role in conditioning. In this article we review the basics of conditioning as well as the serotonergic system and point up the number of non-associative ways in which manipulations of serotonin neurotransmission have an impact upon conditioning. We focus upon psychostimulant drug conditioning and review the contribution of drug stimuli in the use of serotonin drugs to investigate drug conditioning and the important impact drug stimuli can have on conditioning by introducing new sensory stimuli that can create or mask a CS. We also review the ways in which experimental manipulations of serotonin can disrupt conditioned behavioral effects but not the associative processes in conditioning. In addition, we propose the use of the recently developed memory re-consolidation model of conditioning as an approach to assess the possible role of serotonin in associative processes without the complexities of performance effects related to serotonin treatment induced alterations in sensory/motor systems.

Post-training scopolamine treatment induced maladaptive behavior in open field habituation task in rats

The effects of scopolamine on memory consolidation are controversial and depend on several factors (i.e. site of administration, time of administration and testing, dose, cognitive task, experimental protocol, specie, strain, etc.). Generally, the range dose of systemic administered scopolamine, used in memory consolidation studies, has varied from 0.05 to 50 mg/kg. However, according to the literature, the most frequently used doses of scopolamine efficient on memory consolidation, are 1 and 30 mg/kg, low and high doses, respectively. In open field habituation studies only lower doses of scopolamine were used to test memory consolidation. Therefore, in the present study we compared the effects of low (1 mg/kg) and high (30 mg/kg) scopolamine dose, on the open field habituation task, in male Wistar rats. Scopolamine was administered immediately after the acquisition task and animals were retested 48 h later on. On the retested day, the ambulation and rearing in the open field decreased in the same manner in all tested groups. In saline- and 1 mg/kg scopolamine-treated animals, the time spent in grooming significantly decreased in the habituation task, while the same parameter significantly increased in animals treated with 30 mg/kg of scopolamine. The defecation rate significantly decreased (control group), maintained (1 mg/kg of scopolamine treated animals) or significantly increased (30 mg/kg of scopolamine treated group) on retention test. In conclusion, the present data suggest that post-training scopolamine administration does not affect locomotion neither exploration in the habituation to a novel environment, but increases defecation and grooming, two behaviours associated with fearful and stressful situations.

Selective knockout of the casein kinase 2 in d1 medium spiny neurons controls dopaminergic function

BACKGROUND

Dopamine, crucial for the regulation of motor function and reward, acts through receptors mainly expressed in striatum as well as cortex. Dysregulation of dopaminergic signaling is associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Consequently, dopamine-regulating drugs are effectively used in treating these disorders, such as L-DOPA for Parkinson's disease, methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or antipsychotics for schizophrenia. As a result, there has been much interest in dissecting signaling networks in the two morphologically indistinguishable D1- and D2-receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons. Our previous results highlighted a role for casein kinase 2 (CK2) in the modulation of dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) signaling in cells.

METHODS

To study the importance of CK2 in vivo, we have selectively knocked out CK2, in either D1- or D2-medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and characterized the mice behaviorally and biochemically (n = 4-18).

RESULTS

The D1-MSN knockout mice exhibited distinct behavioral phenotypes including novelty-induced hyperlocomotion and exploratory behavior, defective motor control, and motor learning. All of these behavioral traits are indicative of dysregulated dopamine signaling and the underlying mechanism appears to be an alteration of D1R signaling. In support of this hypothesis, D1R levels were upregulated in the knockout mice, as well as phosphorylation of DARPP-32 (dopamine- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate [cAMP]-regulated phospho-protein of 32 kDa), most of the behavioral phenotypes were abolished by the D1R antagonist, SCH23390, and the D2-MSN knockout mice displayed no obvious behavioral phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

A single kinase, CK2, in D1-MSNs significantly alters dopamine signaling, a finding that could have therapeutic implications for disorders characterized by dopamine imbalance such as Parkinson's disease, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia.

Residual dopamine receptor desensitization following either high- or low-dose sub-chronic prior exposure to the atypical anti-psychotic drug olanzapine

RATIONALE

Anti-psychotic drugs are antagonists of dopamine D2 receptors and repeated administration may lead to the development of dopamine receptor supersensitivity.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of sub-chronic olanzapine treatments upon the induction of dopamine receptor supersensitivity.

METHODS

Rats were administered ten daily low or high doses of the atypical anti-psychotic drug olanzapine (0.01 or 1.0 mg/kg). After 5 days of withdrawal, all groups received 2.0 mg/kg apomorphine on five successive days. Five days after the apomorphine sensitization protocol, in separate experiments, either a conditioning test or an apomorphine sensitization test was conducted.

RESULTS

During the anti-psychotic treatment the high dose of olanzapine induced profound locomotion suppression, whereas the low dose had no effect upon locomotion. The apomorphine treatments given to the vehicle control group generated locomotor sensitization. This sensitization effect was attenuated by the same degree for both the low or high dose prior olanzapine treatments. Also, the low and high-dose olanzapine pre-treatments diminished subsequent apomorphine-conditioned and apomorphine-sensitized locomotor responses.

CONCLUSIONS

The equivalent attenuation of the apomorphine sensitization produced by both olanzapine doses indicates that this effect was unrelated to the direct effects of olanzapine upon locomotion. Furthermore, the persistence of the desensitization effects well after the termination of the olanzapine treatments is indicative of a residual desensitization of the dopamine system. These findings are of importance when considering the use of atypical anti-psychotic drugs in the treatment of psychoses and other disorders in which overactivity of the dopamine system is considered a contributory factor.

Exploratory behaviour in the open field test adapted for larval zebrafish: impact of environmental complexity

This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel (standard) open field test adapted for larval zebrafish. We also developed and characterized a variant of the same assay consisting of a colour-enriched open field; this was used to assess the impact of environmental complexity on patterns of exploratory behaviours as well to determine natural colour preference/avoidance. We report the following main findings: (1) zebrafish larvae display characteristic patterns of exploratory behaviours in the standard open field, such as thigmotaxis/centre avoidance; (2) environmental complexity (i.e. presence of colours) differentially affects patterns of exploratory behaviours and greatly attenuates natural zone preference; (3) larvae displayed the ability to discriminate colours. As reported previously in adult zebrafish, larvae showed avoidance towards blue and black; however, in contrast to the reported adult behaviour, larvae displayed avoidance towards red. Avoidance towards yellow and preference for green and orange are shown for the first time, (4) compared to standard open field tests, exposure to the colour-enriched open field resulted in an enhanced expression of anxiety-like behaviours. To conclude, we not only developed and adapted a traditional rodent behavioural assay that serves as a gold standard in preclinical drug screening, but we also provide a version of the same test that affords the possibility to investigate the impact of environmental stress on behaviour in larval zebrafish while representing the first test for assessment of natural colour preference/avoidance in larval zebrafish. In the future, these assays will improve preclinical drug screening methodologies towards the goal to uncover novel drugs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: insert SI title.

Memory re-consolidation and drug conditioning: an apomorphine conditioned locomotor stimulant response can be enhanced or reversed by a single high versus low apomorphine post-trial treatment

RATIONALE

Psychostimulant sensitization can have transformative effects upon contextual stimuli such as acquired conditioned stimuli and conditioned incentive motivational properties.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to induce apomorphine sensitization and conduct non-drug exposures to the contextual cues followed by post-trial treatments designed to associate increases/decreases in dopamine activity with re-consolidation of the contextual cue conditioned stimulus.

METHODS

Separate groups received five daily apomorphine (2.0 mg/kg) treatments, paired or unpaired to the test environment. Two days later, a 30-min non-drug conditioning test was performed. Subsequently, there were three brief (5 min) conditioning tests on successive days. After removal from the test environment on the three test days, all groups received post-trial treatment with vehicle, 0.05, and 2.0 mg/kg apomorphine. One day later, a second 30-min conditioning test was conducted.

RESULTS

There was a sensitized and a conditioned locomotor stimulant response in the paired groups. After the first and second post-trial treatments with 0.05 mg/kg apomorphine, the conditioned stimulant response in the paired group was transformed into a conditioned inhibitory response. In contrast, the conditioned stimulant response of the paired group administered with apomorphine 2.0 mg/kg post-trial was amplified. The apomorphine post-trial treatments administered to the unpaired groups or 2 h post-trial to paired groups were without effect.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that sensitization substantially enhances the associative sensitivity of contextual stimuli and imply that brief exposure to cues linked to drugs of addiction followed by treatments that inhibit neurotransmitter systems may provide a new direction in drug abuse treatment.

Opposite effects of low versus high dose haloperidol treatments on spontaneous and apomorphine induced motor behavior: evidence that at a very low dose haloperidol acts as an indirect dopamine agonist

Anti-psychotic drugs are antagonists at the dopamine D2 receptors and repeated administration can lead to the development of dopamine receptor supersensitivity. In two experiments, separate groups of rats were administered 10 daily low or high doses of the typical anti-psychotic drug haloperidol (0.03 or 1.0 mg/kg). The high dose decreased locomotion whereas, the low dose increased locomotion. After 5 days of withdrawal, all groups received 2.0 mg/kg apomorphine on 5 successive days. The apomorphine treatments given to the vehicle group generated a progressive locomotion sensitization effect and this effect was potentiated by pre-exposure to 0.03 mg/kg haloperidol. Initially, the prior high dose of haloperidol exaggerated the apomorphine locomotor stimulant effect but with repeated apomorphine treatments desensitization developed. Following a 5-day withdrawal period an apomorphine challenge test was conducted and apomorphine sensitization was absent in the haloperidol high dose pre-exposure group but potentiated in the low dose pre-exposure group. In the second replication experiment a conditioning test instead of a sensitization challenge test was conducted 5 days after completion of the 5-day apomorphine treatment protocol. The repeated apomorphine treatments induced conditioned hyper- locomotion and this conditioned effect was prevented by the prior high dose haloperidol pre-exposure but enhanced by the prior low dose haloperidol pre-exposure. Two new key findings are (a) that a low dose haloperidol regimen can function as a dopamine agonist and these effects persist after withdrawal and (b) that repeated apomorphine treatments can desensitize D2 receptors previously sensitized by a high dose haloperidol treatment regimen.

Reversal of apomorphine locomotor sensitization by a single post-conditioning trial treatment with a low autoreceptor dose of apomorphine: a memory re-consolidation approach

Sensitization is a common feature of psychostimulants and sensitization effects are generally considered to be linked to the addictive properties of these drugs. We used a conventional paired/unpaired Pavlovian protocol to induce a context specific sensitization to the locomotor stimulant effect of a high dose of apomorphine (2.0mg/kg). Two days following a 5 session sensitization induction phase, a brief 5min non-drug test for conditioning was conducted. Only the paired groups exhibited locomotor stimulant conditioned response effects. Immediately following this brief test for conditioning, the paired and the unpaired groups received injections of 0.05mg/kg apomorphine, 2.0mg/kg apomorphine or vehicle designed to differentially impact memory re-consolidation of the conditioning. Two days later, all groups received a sensitization challenge test with 2.0mg/kg apomorphine. The 2.0mg/kg apomorphine post-trial treatment potentiated sensitization while the 0.05mg/kg eliminated sensitization. These effects were only observed in the paired groups. The activation of dopaminergic systems by the high dose of apomorphine strengthened the drug/environment association whereas the inhibition of dopamine activity by the low auto-receptor dose eliminated this association. The results point to the importance of conditioning to context specific sensitization and targeting memory re-consolidation of conditioning as a paradigm to modify sensitization.

The passive transfer of immunoglobulin G serum antibodies from patients with longstanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

BACKGROUND

The aetiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is unknown. Recent evidence suggests that there may be autoantibodies directed against peripheral nerves, but it is unclear whether such autoantibodies are merely biomarkers or whether they cause or contribute to the underlying pathology. The transfer of disease after injection of a patient's serum or IgG fraction into mice ('passive transfer') is the classic way to demonstrate a functional role of autoantibodies.

AIMS

Based on previous preliminary results, we wished to investigate whether the transfer of IgG antibodies affected mouse behaviour or produced signs of CRPS.

METHODS

We injected purified serum-IgG from 12 patients and 12 controls into groups of 6-10 mice (∼ 17 mg/mouse intraperitoneally) on 2 consecutive days and looked for any evidence for altered behaviour or signs of CRPS. The observer, blinded as to test or control group, measured behaviour in the open field, stimulus-evoked pain and motor coordination, and inspected limbs for autonomic CRPS signs.

RESULTS

Stimulus-evoked pain and autonomic signs were not detected, but CRPS-IgG induced significant depression of rearing behaviour (17.9 rears/3 min (n = 84) vs. 22.1 rears/3 min (n = 83), p = 0.0004), confirming previous observations in a single case study. Moreover, motor impairment, one of the four cardinal signs of CRPS, was evident in the three CRPS-IgG injected groups tested with a sensitive rota-rod protocol (p < 0.0001 vs. control-IgG injected groups).

CONCLUSIONS

These results lend support to a pathophysiological role for IgG autoantibodies in CRPS.

Individual differences in the effects of cannabinoids on motor activity, dopaminergic activity and DARPP-32 phosphorylation in distinct regions of the brain

This study explored the behavioural, neurochemical and molecular effects of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) and WIN55,212-2, in two rat phenotypes, distinguished on the basis of their vertical activity upon exposure to a novel environment, as high responders (HR) and low responders (LR). Motor effects were assessed under habituated vs. non-habituated conditions. Dopaminergic activity and DARPP-32 phosphorylation were measured in the dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex and amygdala. These cannabinoids influenced motor activity in a biphasic manner, i.e. low doses stimulated, whereas high doses suppressed motor activity. Dopamine (DA) biosynthesis was increased in most brain regions studied following Delta9-THC administration mainly in HR rats, and low-dose WIN55,212-2 increased DA biosynthesis in HR rats only. Both high and low doses of Delta9-THC increased DARPP-32 phosphorylation in most brain regions studied in both phenotypes, an effect that was also observed following high-dose WIN55,212-2 administration only in the striatum. The present results provide further support for a key role of cannabinoids in the regulation of motoric responses and elements of dopaminergic neurotransmission and reveal their complex differential effects in distinct rat phenotypes, as seen with other drugs of abuse.

TIP39 modulates effects of novelty-induced arousal on memory

Tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39) is a neuropeptide localized to neural circuits subserving emotional processing. Recent work showed that mice with null mutation for the gene coding TIP39 (TIP39-KO mice) display increased susceptibility to environmental provocation. Based on this stressor-dependent phenotype, the neuroanatomical distribution of TIP39, and knowledge that novelty-induced arousal modulates memory functions via noradrenergic activation, we hypothesized that exposure to a novel environment differently affects memory performance of mice with or without TIP39 signaling, potentially by differences in sensitivity of the noradrenergic system. We tested TIP39-KO mice and mice with null mutation of its receptor, the parathyroid hormone 2 receptor (PTH2-R), in tasks of short-term declarative and social memory (object recognition and social recognition tests, respectively), and of working memory (Y-maze test) under conditions of novelty-induced arousal or acclimation to the test conditions. Mice lacking TIP39 signaling showed memory impairment selectively under conditions of novelty-induced arousal. Acute administration of a PTH2-R antagonist in wild-type mice had a similar effect. The restoration of memory functions in TIP39-KO mice after injection of a β-adrenoreceptor-blocker, propranolol, suggested involvement of the noradrenergic system. Collectively, these results suggest that the TIP39/PTH2-R system modulates the effects of novelty exposure on memory performance, potentially by acting on noradrenergic signaling.

Circadian clock proteins control adaptation to novel environment and memory formation

Deficiency of the transcription factor BMAL1, a core component of the circadian clock, results in an accelerated aging phenotype in mice. The circadian clock regulates many physiological processes and was recently implicated in control of brain-based activities, such as memory formation and the regulation of emotions. Aging is accompanied by the decline in brain physiology, particularly decline in the response and adaptation to novelty. We investigated the role of the circadian clock in exploratory behavior and habituation to novelty using the open field paradigm. We found that mice with a deficiency of the circadian transcription factor BMAL1 display hyperactivity in novel environments and impaired intra- and intersession habituation, indicative of defects in short- and long-term memory formation. In contrast, mice double-deficient for the circadian proteins CRY1 and CRY2 (repressors of the BMAL1-mediated transcription) demonstrate reduced activity and accelerated habituation when compared to wild type mice. Mice with mutation in theClock gene (encoding the BMAL1 transcription partner) show normal locomotion, but increased rearing activity and impaired intersession habituation. BMAL1 is highly expressed in the neurons of the hippocampus - a brain region associated with spatial memory formation; BMAL1 deficiency disrupts circadian oscillation in gene expression and reactive oxygen species homeostasis in the brain, which may be among the possible mechanisms involved. Thus, we suggest that the BMAL1:CLOCK activity is critical for the proper exploratory and habituation behavior, and that the circadian clock prepares organism for a new round of everyday activities through optimization of behavioral learning.

Apomorphine-induced context-specific behavioural sensitization is prevented by the D1 antagonist SCH-23390 but potentiated and uncoupled from contextual cues by the D2 antagonist sulpiride

RATIONALE

In the study of behavioural sensitization induced by dopamine agonists, D1 and D2 receptors have a critical, but a puzzling role.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of the D1 antagonist SCH-23390 and the D2 antagonist sulpiride given repeatedly alone or in combination with apomorphine upon apomorphine conditioning and sensitization.

METHODS

Apomorphine-induced (2.0 mg/kg) conditioning and sensitization were assessed following five paired/unpaired treatments. Sulpiride (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and SCH-23390 (0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 mg/kg) were administered alone or in combination with apomorphine. In experiment 1, the effect of 5 days of sulpiride and SCH-23390 treatments given alone were assessed on apomorphine reactivity. In experiment 2, sulpiride and SCH-23390 were co-administered with apomorphine for 5 days and subsequently, conditioning and sensitization tests were performed. In experiment 3, following five apomorphine treatment sessions, sulpiride and SCH-23390 were administered prior to the conditioning and sensitization tests.

RESULTS

SCH-23390 and sulpiride induced hyper-reactivity to apomorphine. SCH-23390 when given after the induction of apomorphine sensitization, blocked the expression of apomorphine sensitization. When given in combination with apomorphine, SCH-23390 blocked the apomorphine conditioning and sensitization, whereas low-dose sulpiride permitted conditioning and enhanced apomorphine sensitization and high-dose sulpiride blocked conditioning but permitted apomorphine sensitization. Both sulpiride doses transformed apomorphine sensitization from context-specific to context-independent sensitization.

CONCLUSION

The SCH-23390 findings are supportive of a critical role for D1 receptors in apomorphine effects whereas the sulpiride effects diminish the importance of conditioning and dopamine autoreceptor subsensitivity mechanisms in the mediation of apomorphine sensitization.

Prepuberal subchronic methylphenidate and atomoxetine induce different long-term effects on adult behaviour and forebrain dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in Naples high-excitability rats

The psychostimulant methylphenidate and the non-stimulant atomoxetine are two approved drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of prepuberal subchronic methylphenidate and atomoxetine on adult behaviour and the forebrain neurotransmitter and metabolite content of Naples High-Excitability (NHE) rats, a genetic model for the mesocortical variant of ADHD. Male NHE rats were given a daily intraperitoneal injection (1.0mg/kg) of methylphenidate, atomoxetine or vehicle from postnatal day 29 to 42. At postnatal day 70-75, rats were exposed to spatial novelty in the Làt and radial (Olton) mazes. Behavioural analysis for indices of horizontal, vertical, non-selective (NSA) and selective spatial attention (SSA) indicated that only methylphenidate significantly reduced horizontal activity to a different extent, i.e., 39 and 16% respectively. Moreover methylphenidate increased NSA as assessed by higher leaning duration. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tissue content assessment of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and relative metabolites in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), cortical motor area (MC), dorsal striatum (DS), ventral striatum (VS), hippocampus and mesencephalon indicated that methylphenidate decreased (i) dopamine, DOPAC, norepinephrine, MHPG, 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the PFC, (ii) dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin, 5-HIAA in the DS, (iii) dopamine, DOPAC, HVA and MHPG (but increased norepinephrine) in the VS and (iv) norepinephrine, MHPG, serotonin and 5-HIAA in the hippocampus. Atomoxetine increased dopamine and decreased MHPG in the PFC. Like methylphenidate, atomoxetine decreased dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin and 5-HIAA in the DS, but decreased MHPG in the VS. These results suggest that methylphenidate determined long-term effects on behavioural and neurochemical parameters, whereas atomoxetine affected only the latter.

Effects of mGluR5 and mGluR1 antagonists on anxiety-like behavior and learning in developing rats

Antagonists of group I metabotropic receptors exhibit anxiolytic action in adult rats. In immature animals we demonstrated anticonvulsant action of MPEP and AIDA, antagonists of group 5 and group 1, respectively. However, there are no developmental data on anxiolytic-like and learning actions of both compounds. This study investigated whether the anticonvulsant dose range of MPEP and AIDA affects anxiety-like behavior and learning ability in immature rats. Animals at 12, 18 and 25 postnatal (P) days received MPEP in doses of 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg i.p., AIDA in doses of 10 or 20 mg/kg i.p. In P18 and P25 rats anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity were tested in the light-dark box and open-field test at 15 (1st session) and 60 (2nd session) minutes after drug administration. Learning ability of P12, P18, and P25 animals was examined in the homing response test 15 min after drug administration. Both antagonists exhibited anxiolytic-like action in the 1st session, effects in the 2nd session were less marked. In the open-field test both antagonists increased locomotion only in P18 animals. Age-dependent changes were found in the homing response test, the return latency being longer only in P12 animals. While MPEP in doses of 20- and 40-mg/kg in P12 and 40-mg/kg in P18 rats prolonged the homing response, AIDA did not affect the homing behavior. Both MPEP and AIDA exert anxiolytic-like effect also in immature rats. Except for the youngest animals no changes in learning ability in the homing response test were found.

Characteristic behavioral anomalies in rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine

The aim of the present study was to characterize behavioral anomalies in rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, a useful model of hyperactive disorder. Rats were treated with BrdU at 50mg/kg IP or carboxymethylcellulose, its vehicle, on gestational Days 9 through 15, and their offsprings were subjected to behavioral tests. Rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine showed higher locomotor activity levels when the lights were turned off, and these levels kept increasing throughout the dark cycle. In an elevated plus maze, the rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine exhibited decreased anxiety-related behavior, including higher open arm entries and a longer time spent per one open arm entry when compared with rats prenatally exposed to carboxymethylcellulose. Methylphenidate, a psychostimulant that suppresses hyperactivity in humans with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, increased locomotor activity in both rats, with a greater sensitivity in rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. Desipramine, a specific noradrenaline uptake inhibitor, normalized the hyperactivity of rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, also normalized the hyperactivity and the low anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze. These results suggest that rats prenatally exposed to 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine are hyperactive and exhibit a lower anxiety level. Dysfunctional monoaminergic neurons may be, at least in part, the cause of the behavioral anomalies.

The hyperactive syndrome: metanalysis of genetic alterations, pharmacological treatments and brain lesions which increase locomotor activity

The large number of transgenic mice realized thus far with different purposes allows addressing new questions, such as which animals, over the entire set of transgenic animals, show a specific behavioural abnormality. In the present study, we have used a metanalytical approach to organize a database of genetic modifications, brain lesions and pharmacological interventions that increase locomotor activity in animal models. To further understand the resulting data set, we have organized a second database of the alterations (genetic, pharmacological or brain lesions) that reduce locomotor activity. Using this approach, we estimated that 1.56% of the genes in the genome yield to hyperactivity and 0.75% of genes produce hypoactivity when altered. These genes have been classified into genes for neurotransmitter systems, hormonal, metabolic systems, ion channels, structural proteins, transcription factors, second messengers and growth factors. Finally, two additional classes included animals with neurodegeneration and inner ear abnormalities. The analysis of the database revealed several unexpected findings. First, the genes that, when mutated, induce hyperactive behaviour do not pertain to a single neurotransmitter system. In fact, alterations in most neurotransmitter systems can give rise to a hyperactive phenotype. In contrast, fewer changes can decrease locomotor activity. Specifically, genetic and pharmacological alterations that enhance the dopamine, orexin, histamine, cannabinoids systems or that antagonize the cholinergic system induce an increase in locomotor activity. Similarly, imbalances in the two main neurotransmitters of the nervous system, GABA and glutamate usually result in hyperactive behaviour. It is remarkable that no genetic alterations pertaining to the GABA system have been reported to reduce locomotor behaviour. Other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, have a more complex influence. For instance, a decrease in norepinephrine synthesis usually results in hypoactive behaviour. However, a chronic increase in norepinephrine may result in hypoactivity too. Similarly, changes in both directions of serotonin levels may reduce locomotor activity, whereas alterations in specific serotonin receptors can induce hyperactivity. The lesion of at least 12 different brain regions can increase locomotor activity too. Comparatively, few focal lesions decrease locomotor activity. Finally, a large number of toxic events can increase locomotor activity, particularly if delivered during the prepuberal time window. These data show that there is a net imbalance in the number of altered genes/brain lesions/toxics that induce hyperactivity versus hypoactive behaviour. Although some of these data may be explained in terms of the activating role of subcortical systems (such as catecholamines), the larger number of alterations that induce hyperactivity suggests a different scenario. Specifically, we hypothesize (i) the existence of a control system that continuously inhibit a basally hyperactive locomotor tone and (ii) that this control system is highly vulnerable (intrinsic fragility) to any change in the genetic asset or to any toxic/drug delivered during prepuberal stages. Brain lesion studies suggest that the putative control system is located along an axis that connects the olfactory bulb and the enthorhinal cortex (enthorhinal-hippocampal-septal-prefrontal cortex-olfactory bulb axis). We suggest that the increased locomotor activity in many psychiatric diseases may derive from the interference with the development of this brain axis during a specific postnatal time window.

Connexin31.1 deficiency in the mouse impairs object memory and modulates open-field exploration, acetylcholine esterase levels in the striatum, and cAMP response element-binding protein levels in the striatum and piriform cortex

Neuronal gap junctions in the brain, providing intercellular electrotonic signal transfer, have been implicated in physiological and behavioral correlates of learning and memory. In connexin31.1 (Cx31.1) knockout (KO) mice the coding region of the Cx31.1 gene was replaced by a LacZ reporter gene. We investigated the impact of Cx31.1 deficiency on open-field exploration, the behavioral response to an odor, non-selective attention, learning and memory performance, and the levels of memory-related proteins in the hippocampus, striatum and the piriform cortex. In terms of behavior, the deletion of the Cx31.1 coding DNA in the mouse led to increased exploratory behaviors in a novel environment, and impaired one-trial object recognition at all delays tested. Despite strong Cx31.1 expression in the peripheral and central olfactory system, Cx31.1 KO mice exhibited normal behavioral responses to an odor. We found increased levels of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the striatum of Cx31.1 KO mice. In the piriform cortex the Cx31.1 KO mice had an increased heterogeneity of CREB expression among neurons. In conclusion, gap-junctions featuring the Cx31.1 protein might be involved in open-field exploration as well as object memory and modulate levels of AChE and CREB in the striatum and piriform cortex.

Arousal and stress effects on consolidation and reconsolidation of recognition memory

This study examined the effects of the arousal level of the rat and exposure to a behavioral stressor on consolidation and reconsolidation of a nonaversive learning paradigm, the object recognition task. Learning was tested under two arousal conditions: no previous habituation to the experimental context (high novelty stress/arousal level) or extensive prior habituation (reduced novelty stress/arousal level). Results indicated that in the habituated rats, exposure to an out-of-context stressor (ie, elevated platform stress) impaired long-term consolidation and reconsolidation of object recognition. RU-486, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, infused into the basolateral amygdala (BLA), reversed the impairing effects of the stressor. In contrast, the nonhabituated aroused rats were impaired when consolidation was examined, but their memory was intact following reactivation of the memory trace. Exposure of nonhabituated rats to an out-of-context stressor enhanced the long-term consolidation of recognition memory, but impaired reconsolidation, and the effects were reversed by a GR antagonist infused into the BLA. Additionally, nonhabituated control rats showed intact retrieval following microinfusion of propranolol to the BLA immediately after the training, suggesting an involvement of beta-adrenoceptors in the BLA in the arousal-induced impairment of consolidation. These findings demonstrate opposite effects, detrimental and facilitative, of arousal and stress on memory consolidation and reconsolidation. In addition, the data suggests that although some general features underlie consolidation and reconsolidation, there is a possible dissimilarity between the two processes, which is dependent on the arousal level of the animal during training.

Motivational effects of intraorally-infused ethanol in rat pups in an operant self-administration task

Motivational effects of self-administered ethanol have rarely been studied in preweanling rats due primarily to the lack of age-appropriate operant tasks. The present experiments assessed the hedonic effects of intraoral ethanol in infant rats self-administered by activating a touch sensor. On postnatal day (PD) 13 pups were pre-exposed to the drug's pharmacological and/or sensory effects. Operant sessions were conducted during PDs 14-16 (Experiments 1 and 2). Paired animals were placed in chambers equipped with a touch-sensitive disk and received an intraoral infusion of ethanol (3 or 5% v/v, 5 microl) after each sensor contact. Yoked controls were equated for number and distribution of ethanol infusions but had no control over the contingency between operant behavior and intraoral infusion. In Experiment 2, training trials were preceded by a non-reinforced phase. Paired pups performed fewer operant responses than controls and decreased their operant responses across sessions. These results suggest that intraoral self-administered ethanol has an aversive hedonic value in two-week old rats. Operant behavior seems to have been associated with aversive orosensory effects derived from intraoral ethanol infusion.

Diabetic type II Goto-Kakizaki rats show progressively decreasing exploratory activity and learning impairments in fixed and progressive ratios of a lever-press task

Learning and memory impairments associated with diabetes have been reproduced in rodent models of diabetes type I, but few studies have been performed in spontaneously type II diabetic rodents. The study of type II diabetic rats such as the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is of advantage when characterizing the development of cognitive impairments specifically caused by the progression of the disease and not by its treatment. We thus hypothesized that GK rats might display learning impairments when compared to non-diabetic Wistar rats. In the present study, we employed a lever-press task, a behavioural paradigm which allows the study of response-reinforcement learning, discrimination of a rewarding lever (using a two-choice positional discrimination task), and the ability to increase operant behaviour when requirements for reward increase (using a progressive ratio [PR]). In parallel, locomotor activity was compared between strains to assess exploratory activity and behavioural habituation to a novel environment. Diabetic GK rats made significantly less lever-presses with increasing fixed ratios and, throughout the sessions, a trend for increased selection errors was observed in these animals. In addition, a significant reduction in the maximum number of lever-presses made by GK rats was observed during the PR sessions. Locomotor activity of GK rats was higher on the first day of exploration but significantly decreased with familiarization to the environment. The present results suggest that the diabetic-like symptomatology in GK rats led to a reduction of exploratory activity and of lever-pressing during fixed and progressive ratio schedules, likely caused by learning impairments.

Behavioral sensitization produced by a single administration of apomorphine: Implications for the role of Pavlovian conditioning in the mediation of context-specific sensitization

The present study examined the minimal number of exposures to the D1/D2 agonist apomorphine capable of producing behavioral sensitization. Rats received one (experiment 1) or two administrations on two successive days (experiment 2) of apomorphine (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) paired or unpaired to an open-field environment. After 2 days of drug withdrawal, the rats received a challenge injection with the same dose of apomorphine (sensitization test) and locomotion, rearing and sniffing were measured. The results of the first experiment showed that locomotor sensitization occurred after a single acute exposure to apomorphine and that 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg treatments were equally effective. This sensitization effect was context-specific and was limited to locomotion. The second experiment revealed a differential dose effect on the sensitization test. Two treatments with 2.0 mg/kg potentiated locomotor sensitization as compared with a single treatment but two treatments with 0.5 mg/kg did not increase the sensitization effect more than the single 0.5 mg/kg treatment. This result indicates an interaction between drug dose and frequency of drug treatment for the induction of apomorphine locomotor sensitization. In that the sensitization effects are considered to be a core contributor to psychostimulant addiction, the present findings are of importance to understanding addiction because they indicate that sensitization processes can be initiated with a single drug experience and amplified with exposure to higher drug dosage levels.