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Devine DP. The neuropathology of Self-Injurious Behavior: Studies using animal models. Brain Res 2024; 1844:149172. [PMID: 39163896 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Self-injurious behavior is a debilitating characteristic that is highly prevalent in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In these populations, self-injury has typically been interpreted in relation to behavioral reinforcement and/or sensory stimulation. However, self-injury is also commonly exhibited by people with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, where it is typically described in relation to emotional regulation and the presence or absence of suicidal ideation. Interestingly, self-injury has also been documented in many non-human animal species, especially when exposed to early environmental deprivation, isolation, and distress. Despite the propensity of animals to self-injure under adverse conditions, animal models of self-injury have not been the focus of much research, and translation of the data from these models has largely been limited to autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. This review summarizes evidence that common biological and environmental mechanisms may contribute to vulnerability for self-injury in neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and distressed animals, and that investigations using animal models may be highly beneficial when considering self-injury as a behavioral phenotype that exists across diagnostic categories. Investigations using animal models have revealed that individual differences in stress responses and anxiety-related behavior contribute to vulnerability for self-injury. Animal models have implicated dysregulation of monoaminergic, glutamatergic, and other neurotransmitter systems in expression of self-injury, and these models have suggested neural targets for pharmacotherapy that have potential relevance for diverse clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darragh P Devine
- University of Florida, Department of Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250, USA.
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Golzio Dos Santos S, Fernandes Gomes I, Fernandes de Oliveira Golzio AM, Lopes Souto A, Scotti MT, Fechine Tavares J, Chavez Gutierrez SJ, Nóbrega de Almeida R, Barbosa-Filho JM, Sobral da Silva M. Psychopharmacological effects of riparin III from Aniba riparia (Nees) Mez. (Lauraceae) supported by metabolic approach and multivariate data analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:149. [PMID: 32416725 PMCID: PMC7229579 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-02938-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently there is a high prevalence of humor disorders such as anxiety and depression throughout the world, especially concerning advanced age patients. Aniba riparia (Nees) Mez. (Lauraceae), popular known as “louro”, can be found from the Amazon through Guianas until the Andes. Previous studies have already reported the isolation of alkamide-type alkaloids such as riparin III (O-methyl-N-2,6-dyhydroxy-benzoyl tyramine) which has demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in high doses by intraperitoneal administration. Methods Experimental protocol was conducted in order to analyze the anxiolytic-like effect of riparin III at lower doses by intravenous administration to Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) (n = 5). The experimental approach was designed to last 15 days, divided in 3 distinct periods of five days: control, anxiogenic and treatment periods. The anxiolytic-like effect was evaluated by experimental behavior tests such as open field and elevated plus-maze test, combined with urine metabolic footprint analysis. The urine was collected daily and analyzed by 1H NMR. Generated data were statistically treated by Principal Component Analysis in order to detect patterns among the distinct periods evaluated as well as biomarkers responsible for its distinction. Results It was observed on treatment group that cortisol, biomarker related to physiological stress was reduced, indicating anxiolytic-like effect of riparin III, probably through activation of 5-HT2A receptors, which was corroborated by behavioral tests. Conclusion 1H NMR urine metabolic footprint combined with multivariate data analysis have demonstrated to be an important diagnostic tool to prove the anxiolytic-like effect of riparin III in a more efficient and pragmatic way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sócrates Golzio Dos Santos
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Isis Fernandes Gomes
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | | | - Augusto Lopes Souto
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Josean Fechine Tavares
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Stanley Juan Chavez Gutierrez
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Nóbrega de Almeida
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - José Maria Barbosa-Filho
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Sobral da Silva
- Instituto de Pesquisa de Fármacos e Medicamentos - IPeFarM, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil.
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Associated Factors of Self-injury Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Community and Residential Treatment Setting. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:2987-3004. [PMID: 32056114 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04389-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) occurs in up to 50% of individuals with autism. As one of the most serious conditions in individuals with developmental disabilities, SIB affects the individual and his or her family in multiple contexts. A systematic analysis of factors most commonly associated with SIB could inform the development of individualized intervention strategies. The current study examined factors related to SIB in an analysis of client records of 145 children with autism in a comprehensive care center. Predictor variables included age, gender, the Adaptive Behavior Composite, sensory processing, aggression, stereotypies, irritability, adaptive skills, and medical conditions. Age, irritability, and the Adaptive Behavior Composite were found to significantly predict SIB.
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The Pemoline Model of Self-Injurious Behavior: An Update. Methods Mol Biol 2019. [PMID: 31273695 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9554-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders typically comprise a complex constellation of behavioral symptoms and neurochemical abnormalities. However, many of the symptoms are inconsistently expressed within any one particular patient group or overlap between patient groups. In other words, there is usually heterogeneity of symptoms between diagnostic groups, and there is often partial homogeneity of symptoms across these groups. These include cognitive deficits, emotional lability, and perseverative or aberrant behaviors. Animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders typically reproduce or mimic specific genetic, neurochemical, and/or behavioral sequelae, although they typically fail to replicate the entire spectrum of biological and behavioral characteristics. Indeed, it may be impractical or even impossible to model the entire spectrum of characteristics of a disorder in any single animal model. A focus on one or more specific behavioral characteristics that occur in multiple neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., self-injury) may be a fruitful strategy. The development of these behaviorally focused models may yield increased understanding of the endogenous and environmental factors that confer vulnerability for aberrant behaviors that commonly occur in these disorders. One such behaviorally focused animal model is the pemoline model of self-injurious behavior.
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5
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Abstract
Although self-injurious behavior is a common comorbid behavior problem among individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, little is known about its etiology and underlying neurobiology. Interestingly, it shows up in various forms across patient groups with distinct genetic errors and diagnostic categories. This suggests that there may be shared neuropathology that confers vulnerability in these disparate groups. Convergent evidence from clinical pharmacotherapy, brain imaging studies, postmortem neurochemical analyses, and animal models indicates that dopaminergic insufficiency is a key contributing factor. This chapter provides an overview of studies in which animal models have been used to investigate the biochemical basis of self-injury and highlights the convergence in findings between these models and expression of self-injury in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darragh P Devine
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Muehlmann AM, Wolfman SL, Devine DP. The role of neurotensin in vulnerability for self-injurious behaviour: studies in a rodent model. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2018; 62:997-1007. [PMID: 30033601 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-injurious behaviour is a debilitating characteristic that is commonly expressed in people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, but the neurobiological basis of this maladaptive behaviour is not understood. Abnormal dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission has been implicated, especially in relation to basal ganglia and mesocorticolimbic circuits. As neurotensin is an important modulator of dopamine and glutamate in these circuits, we investigated its potential role in vulnerability for self-injury, using the pemoline model in rats. METHODS Male Long-Evans rats were injected once daily with the psychostimulant pemoline or peanut oil vehicle on each of five consecutive days. Self-injury was quantified by measuring the area of injuries for each rat on each day of the experiment. Each brain was harvested on the sixth day, and the striatum and ventral tegmentum were dissected. Neurotensin-like immunoreactivity was quantified by radioimmunoassay from the dissected brain regions of some of the rats. Membrane and intracellular neurotensin receptor NTS1 were assayed from the striata of the remaining pemoline-treated or vehicle-treated rats by Western blot. In an additional experiment, male Long-Evans rats were treated with daily injections of vehicle or pemoline, and the NTS1 neurotensin receptor agonist PD149163 or the NTS1 receptor antagonist SR48692 (or respective vehicle solutions) was co-administered twice daily throughout the pemoline treatment regimen. The areas of injured tissue were measured, and the duration of self-injurious oral contact was quantified by video-recorded time samples throughout each day. RESULTS Striatal neurotensin immunoreactivity was found to be significantly higher in pemoline-treated than in vehicle-treated rats. Moreover, both membrane-bound and intracellular levels of NTS1 receptor were significantly higher in the striata of pemoline-treated rats than in the striata of the vehicle-treated controls. When the NTS1 receptor agonist PD149163 was co-administered during the pemoline treatment regimen, it prolonged the daily durations of self-injurious oral contact and increased the severity of the injuries in the self-injurious rats. Conversely, co-administration of the NTS1 receptor antagonist SR48692 diminished the daily durations of self-injurious oral contact and decreased the severity of the injuries. CONCLUSIONS The elevation of striatal neurotensin immunoreactivity during pemoline treatment, coupled with the effects of the NTS1 agonist and antagonist, suggests that neurotensin transmission in the striatum may be an important modulator of self-injurious behaviour in the pemoline model. Overall, the convergence of the behavioural and biochemical findings suggests that neurotensin signalling could be an important target for pharmacotherapeutic interventions for self-injurious behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Muehlmann
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - S L Wolfman
- Department of Psychology, Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - D P Devine
- Department of Psychology, Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Ueno M, Yamada K, Ichitani Y. The relationship between fear extinction and resilience to drug-dependence in rats. Neurosci Res 2017; 121:37-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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The role of anxiety in vulnerability for self-injurious behaviour: studies in a rodent model. Behav Brain Res 2016; 311:201-209. [PMID: 27217100 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is a debilitating characteristic that is highly prevalent in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Pathological anxiety is also common, and there are reports of comorbid anxiety and self-injury in some children. We have investigated potential interactions between anxiety and self-injury, using a rat model of pemoline-induced self-biting. In one experiment, rats were pre-screened for trait anxiety by measuring expression of anxiety-related behaviour on the elevated plus maze and open field emergence test. The rats were then treated with pemoline once daily for ten days, and vulnerability for pemoline-induced self-injury was evaluated. This revealed modest correlations between innate levels of anxiety-related behaviour in the open field test (time in the start box, and latency to enter the open field), and vulnerability for pemoline-induced self-biting (total duration of self-injurious oral contact, and total size of tissue injury). Measures in the elevated plus maze were not significantly correlated with vulnerability for pemoline-induced self-injury. In a second experiment, rats were treated with the beta-carboline FG 7142 twice daily, during 5days of treatment with pemoline. The rats that were treated with this anxiogenic drug exhibited greater duration of self-injurious oral contact, and larger injuries than vehicle-treated controls did. Overall, these results suggest that anxiety may contribute to the etiology and/or expression of self-injurious behaviour, and indicate that further research is warranted.
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Minshawi NF, Hurwitz S, Morriss D, McDougle CJ. Multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of self-injurious behavior in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: integration of psychological and biological theory and approach. J Autism Dev Disord 2015; 45:1541-68. [PMID: 25395094 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this review is to consider the psychological (largely behavioral) and biological [neurochemical, medical (including genetic), and pharmacological] theories and approaches that contribute to current thinking about the etiology and treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability. Algorithms for the assessment and treatment of SIB in this context, respectively, from a multidisciplinary, integrative perspective are proposed and challenges and opportunities that exist in clinical and research settings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha F Minshawi
- Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Symons FJ, Tervo RC, Barney CC, Damerow J, Selim M, McAdams B, Foster S, Crabb GW, Kennedy W. Peripheral Innervation in Children With Global Developmental Delay: Biomarker for Risk for Self-Injurious Behavior? J Child Neurol 2015; 30:1722-7. [PMID: 25918119 PMCID: PMC4610824 DOI: 10.1177/0883073815579704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The relation between somatosensory mechanisms and self-injury among children with neurologic impairments associated with developmental delay is not well understood. We evaluated the feasibility of procuring skin biopsies to examine epidermal nerve fiber density and reported self-injury. Following informed parental consent, epidermal skin biopsies were obtained from a distal leg site with no pre-existing skin damage from 11 children with global developmental delay (55% male; mean age = 36.8 months, 17-63 months). Visual microscopic examination and quantitative analyses showed extremely high epidermal nerve fiber density values for some children. Children with reported self-injury (5/11) had significantly (P < .02) greater density values (138.8, standard deviation = 45.5) than children without self-injury (80.5, standard deviation = 17.5). Results from this novel immunohistologic analysis of skin in very young children with neurodevelopmental delays suggest it may be a useful tool to study peripheral innervation as a possible sensory risk factor for self-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank J. Symons
- Department of Educational Psychology, 56 East River Road, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | | | - Chantel C. Barney
- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, 200 University Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55101
| | - John Damerow
- Department of Educational Psychology, 56 East River Road, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Mona Selim
- University of Minnesota, Peripheral Nerve Lab, MMC 187, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis MN 55455
| | - Brian McAdams
- University of Minnesota, Peripheral Nerve Lab, MMC 187, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis MN 55455
| | - Shawn Foster
- University of Minnesota, Peripheral Nerve Lab, MMC 187, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis MN 55455
| | - Gwen Wendelschafer Crabb
- University of Minnesota, Peripheral Nerve Lab, MMC 187, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis MN 55455
| | - William Kennedy
- University of Minnesota, Peripheral Nerve Lab, MMC 187, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis MN 55455
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Devine DP. Self-injurious behaviour in autistic children: a neuro-developmental theory of social and environmental isolation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:979-97. [PMID: 24057764 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Self-injurious behaviour is not one of the three core symptoms that define autism. However, children on the autism spectrum appear to be particularly vulnerable. Afflicted children typically slap their faces, punch or bang their heads, and bite or pinch themselves. These behaviours can be extremely destructive, and they interfere with normal social and educational activities. However, the neurobiological mechanisms that confer vulnerability in children with autism have not been adequately described. OBJECTIVES This review explores behavioural and neurobiological characteristics of children with autism that may be relevant for an increased understanding of their vulnerability for self-injurious behaviour. METHODS Behavioural characteristics that are co-morbid for self-injurious behaviour in children with autism are examined. In addition, the contributions of social and environmental deprivation in self-injurious institutionalized orphans, isolated rhesus macaques, and additional animal models are reviewed. RESULTS There is extensive evidence that social and environmental deprivation promotes self-injurious behaviour in both humans (including children with autism) and animal models. Moreover, there are multiple lines of convergent neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neurochemical data that draw parallels between self-injurious children with autism and environmentally deprived humans and animals. CONCLUSIONS A hypothesis is presented that describes how the core symptoms of autism make these children particularly vulnerable for self-injurious behaviour. Relevant neurodevelopmental pathology is described in cortical, limbic, and basal ganglia brain regions, and additional research is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darragh P Devine
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2250, USA,
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Waters P, Healy O. Investigating the Relationship between Self-Injurious Behavior, Social Deficits, and Cooccurring Behaviors in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. AUTISM RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2012; 2012:156481. [PMID: 23193469 PMCID: PMC3502765 DOI: 10.1155/2012/156481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2012] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Research suggests that self-injurious behavior (SIB) is related to social deficits and cooccurring problem behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. A sample of 95 participants with ASD was assessed on presence and frequency of SIB (Behavior Problems Inventory), social deficits (the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters-II) and cooccurring problem behaviors (ASD-Comorbidity-Child version). A model was created and tested to explain the relationship between these variables. Results showed that the model was acceptable in presenting the relationships between these variables. This information could be used to help predict which individuals are at risk of developing further cooccurring behavioral problems and determine risk markers for the development of social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Waters
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Olive Healy
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
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Abstract
Traditional models of neuropsychiatric disorders consist of attempts to replicate the broad spectrum of behavioural and neurochemical sequelae that characterize a specific disorder. However, these disorders comprise complex constellations of symptoms, including emotional instability, perseverative thoughts, and aberrant behaviours. Close examination often reveals heterogeneity of symptom expression within patient groups and homogeneity in expression of specific symptoms across diagnostic categories. Accordingly, it may not be possible to model the entire spectrum of characteristics for any one of these disorders in any single animal model. A focus on one or more specific behavioural characteristics (e.g. self-injury) may be a more fruitful strategy. Development of behaviourally focused models yields increased understanding of the genetic basis and biochemical abnormalities that underlie specific psychiatric dysfunctions. Furthermore, by revealing pathophysiology that underlies specific disease characteristics, behaviourally focused models improve translational power and help to identify targets for effective pharmacotherapies. One such behaviourally focused animal model is the pemoline model of self-injurious behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darragh P Devine
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Muehlmann AM, Kies SD, Turner CA, Wolfman S, Lewis MH, Devine DP. Self-injurious behaviour: limbic dysregulation and stress effects in an animal model. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2012; 56:490-500. [PMID: 21988194 PMCID: PMC3839243 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01485.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is prevalent in neurodevelopmental disorders, but its expression is highly variable within, and between diagnostic categories. This raises questions about the factors that contribute to aetiology and expression of SIB. Expression of SIB is generally described in relation to social reinforcement. However, variables that predispose vulnerability have not been as clearly characterised. This study reports the aetiology and expression of self-injury in an animal model of pemoline-induced SIB. It describes changes in gross neuronal activity in selected brain regions after chronic treatment with pemoline, and it describes the impact that a history of social defeat stress has on the subsequent expression of SIB during pemoline treatment. METHODS Experiment 1--Male Long-Evans rats were injected on each of five consecutive days with pemoline or vehicle, and the expression of SIB was evaluated using a rating scale. The brains were harvested on the morning of the sixth day, and were assayed for expression of cytochrome oxidase, an index of sustained neuronal metabolic activity. Experiment 2--Male Long-Evans rats were exposed to a regimen of 12 daily sessions of social defeat stress or 12 daily sessions of handling (i.e. controls). Starting on the day after completion of the social defeat or handling regimen, each rat was given five daily injections of pemoline. The durations of self-injurious oral contact and other stereotyped behaviours were monitored, and the areas of tissue injury were quantified. RESULTS Experiment 1--Neuronal metabolic activity was significantly lower in a variety of limbic and limbic-associated brain structures in the pemoline-treated rats, when compared with activity in the same regions of vehicle-treated controls. In addition, neuronal activity was low in the caudate-putamen, and in subfields of the hypothalamus, but did not differ between groups for a variety of other brain regions, including nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, ventral tegmentum, thalamus, amygdala, and cortical regions. Experiment 2--All the pemoline-treated rats exhibited SIB, and whereas the social defeat regimen did not alter the total amount of self-injurious oral contact or other stereotyped behaviours, it significantly increased the severity of tissue injury. CONCLUSIONS A broad sampling of regional metabolic activity indicates that the pemoline regimen produces enduring changes that are localised to specific limbic, hypothalamic and striatal structures. The potential role of limbic function in aetiology of SIB is further supported by the finding that pemoline-induced self-injury is exacerbated by prior exposure to social defeat stress. Overall, the results suggest brain targets that should be investigated further, and increase our understanding of the putative role that stress plays in the pathophysiology of SIB.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Muehlmann
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-2250, USA
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Furniss F, Biswas AB. Recent research on aetiology, development and phenomenology of self-injurious behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and implications for treatment. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2012; 56:453-475. [PMID: 22369696 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01534.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioural interventions conceptualise self-injurious behaviour (SIB) as developing from early repetitive behaviours through acquisition of homeostatic functions in regulating stimulation and subsequent shaping into SIB through socially mediated or automatic operant reinforcement. Despite high success rates, such interventions rarely completely eliminate SIB, and overall effectiveness has not increased since the 1960s. METHODS Research (excluding studies of single genetic syndromes) on the early development, functional properties and phenomenology of SIB in persons with intellectual disabilities (IDs) published from 1999 to 2010 inclusive is reviewed. RESULTS Despite evidence to support the operant shaping hypothesis, in some cases tissue-damaging SIB, especially head-banging, emerges at a similar or younger age than stereotyped behaviours or 'proto-SIB', often associated with tantrums following frustrative non-reward and/or abrupt situational transitions. Many young children show undifferentiated patterns of responding in functional analyses of SIB, and SIB is associated with aggression and impulsivity as well as with repetitive behaviour. CONCLUSIONS One dynamic in the development of SIB may be Pavlovian conditioning of aggression, originally elicited by aversive events or frustrative non-reward, to stimuli associated with such situations. Integration into operant technology of interventions based on Pavlovian principles such as graduated exposure (with or without counterconditioning) to aversive stimuli may enhance the effectiveness of behavioural interventions.
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Symons FJ, Devine DP, Oliver C. Self-injurious behaviour in people with intellectual disability. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2012; 56:421-426. [PMID: 22487005 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01553.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
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Abstract
Self-injurious behaviour is highly prevalent in neurodevelopmental disorders. Interestingly, it is not restricted to any individual diagnostic group. Rather, it is exhibited in various forms across patient groups with distinct genetic defects and classifications of disorders. This suggests that there may be shared neuropathology that confers vulnerability. Convergent evidence from clinical pharmacotherapy, brain imaging studies, postmortem neurochemical analyses, and animal models indicates that dopaminergic insufficiency is a key culprit. This chapter provides an overview of studies in which animal models have been used to investigate the biochemical basis of self-injury, and highlights the convergence in findings between these models and expression of self-injury in humans.
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Abstract
The treatment of self-injury, or self-destruction of one's own body tissue, has become a new focus for both researchers and clinicians. Traditionally, the field of self-injury has distinguished between the behaviors exhibited among individuals with a developmental disability (self-injurious behaviors [SIBs]) and those present within a normative population (nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI]). Despite this distinction, many pharmacotherapies for self-injury have been administered for both populations. The current review begins by summarizing the available efficacy studies investigating common pharmacological interventions in the treatment of self-injury. These studies are organized based on the most empirically supported neurochemical pathways in the development or maintenance of NSSI: endogenous opiods and monoamines. Although significant advances have been made in the field, conclusions based on efficacy studies of the pharmacological interventions used in the treatment of self-injury have been somewhat inconsistent. Finally, the review includes a discussion about potential avenues in the pharmacological treatment of NSSI via animal models of self-injury. Animal models present a unique opportunity to test neurobiological theories of self-injury using a controlled, systematic approach. Clinical considerations are presented as they relate to the available research findings and best practices in the treatment of self-injury.
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