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Clement MK, Pimentel CS, McGaughy JA. Dopaminergic lesions of the anterior cingulate cortex of rats increase vulnerability to salient distractors. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3353-3375. [PMID: 38654478 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been shown to be critical to many aspects of executive function including filtering irrelevant information, updating response contingencies when reinforcement contingencies change and stabilizing task sets. Nonspecific lesions to this region in rats produce a vulnerability to distractors that have gained salience through prior associations with reinforcement. These lesions also exacerbate cognitive fatigue in tests of sustained attention but do not produce global attentional impairments nor do they produce distractibility to novel distractors that do not have a prior association with reinforcement. To determine the neurochemical basis of these cognitive impairments, dopaminergically selective lesions of the ACC were made in both male and female Long-Evans, hooded rats prior to assessment in two attentional tasks. Dopaminergic lesions of the ACC increase the vulnerability of subjects to previously reinforced distractors and impede formation of an attentional set. Lesioned rats were not more susceptible to the effects of novel, irrelevant stimuli in a test of sustained attention as has been previously shown. Additionally, the effects of dopaminergic lesions were found to differ based on sex. Lesioned female, but not male, rats were more vulnerable than sham-lesioned females to the effects of prolonged testing and the removal of reinforcement during a test of sustained attention. Together, these data support the hypothesis that dopamine in the ACC is critical to filtering distractors whose salience has been gained through reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison K Clement
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Cynthia S Pimentel
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Jill A McGaughy
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
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Estaño LA. Prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in definitive and intermediate hosts collected from agricultural areas in Ampayon, Butuan City, Southern Philippines. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:807-814. [PMID: 38009157 PMCID: PMC10667161 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01626-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongyliasis is a parasitic disease and a leading cause of human eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. This parasite infects a wide range of animal hosts, including snails and rats, which plays a significant role in zoonotic transmission. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of A. cantonensis infection in freshwater snails and definitive rat hosts in the agricultural area in Ampayon, Butuan City, Philippines. A total of 54 rat samples and 719 snail individuals were collected in June and July 2020. An overall 2.36% prevalence rate of A. cantonensis snail infection was recorded, consisting of Pomacea canaliculata and Melanoides tuberculata, with a prevalence rate of 4.05% and 1.38%, respectively. Results revealed an overall prevalence of 38.9% in rat infection. Rattus tanezumi (48.48%) showed a higher infection than Rattus norvegicus (23.80%). Higher infection rates were found in rice field environments than residential houses, with 44.12% and 30% prevalence rates, respectively. Moreover, male rats showed higher infection rates (50%) than female rats (26.92%). Among age classes, adult rats had significantly higher infection rates (48.57%) than juvenile rats (21.05%). Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between A. cantonensis infection intensity to the body length (r = 0.603; p = 0.001) and body weight (r = 0.715; p = 0.000) of rats. The study exemplifies the critical role of intermediate and definitive hosts for angiostrongyliasis. Infected freshwater snails and rats in rice fields make these agricultural areas a venue for A. cantonensis emergence. Integrated actions, health education campaigns, surveillance, hygiene, and good farming practices will help prevent the potential risk of the transmission of angiostrongyliasis in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo A. Estaño
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines
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Paine TA, Pierotti C, Swanson ES, Martin Del Campo Z, Kulkarni S, Zhang J. Sex, but not juvenile stress, affects reversal learning and DRL performance following cocaine administration. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 231:173634. [PMID: 37717823 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early adversity, impulsivity and sex all contribute to the risk of developing substance use disorder. Using rats, we examined how juvenile stress interacts with sex and cocaine to affect performance on a serial reversal task and a differential reinforcement of low rates 10 s (DRL10) task. The expression of dopamine-related proteins in several brain areas was also assessed. METHODS From postnatal days (PND) 25-29, rats were exposed to a variable stress protocol. In adulthood, rats were trained on the reversal task and the effects of cocaine (0, 10, or 20 mg/kg, IP) on performance were assessed. Next, rats were trained on the DRL10 task and the effects of cocaine on performance were assessed. Finally, brains were extracted, and Western blot analyses conducted. RESULTS Juvenile stress did not affect behavior. Sex did not affect baseline performance in either task. In the reversal task, cocaine decreased % high probability responses and the number of rewards earned in both sexes. Cocaine had sex-dependent effects on omissions, low probability responses and response latencies. In the DRL10 task, cocaine decreased the peak latency to respond and the number of rewards earned in both sexes. Cocaine had sex-dependent effects on peak rate of responding, response efficiency, burst responses and long responses. Female rats exhibited increased expression of DRD1 receptors in the striatum. DISCUSSION These data contribute to the growing literature demonstrating sex differences in the behavioral effects of cocaine and suggest that DRD1 receptors could contribute to the observed behavioral sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracie A Paine
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States of America.
| | - Caroline Pierotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States of America
| | - Evan S Swanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States of America
| | - Zoë Martin Del Campo
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States of America
| | - Sydney Kulkarni
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074, United States of America
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Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Pytka K. Sex-dependent differences in animal cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105374. [PMID: 37634555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The differences in cognitive processes driven by biological sex are the issues that have gotten growing attention recently. Considering the increasing population suffering from various cognitive impairments and the development of therapeutic strategies, it is essential that we recognize the mechanisms responsible for discrepancies observed in male and female learning and memory functions. In this review, we discuss recent reports from preclinical studies on rodents regarding selected cognitive domains to explore the state of knowledge on sex-dependent differences and point to challenges encountered during such research. We focus on spatial, recognition, and emotional memory, as well as on executive functions, such as attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. This review will help to acknowledge sex-related differences in cognition and indicate some fields that lack sufficient data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Koszałka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; Jagiellonian University Medical College, Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Św. Łazarza 16, 31-530 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
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Ma Y, Jiang S, Zhao X, Li S, Chen L, Zhao Z, Shen W, Wu Y, Wu H. CaMKIIα neurons in the anterior insular cortex regulate attention behavior in mice. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1197541. [PMID: 37469833 PMCID: PMC10352765 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1197541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The insular cortex is involved in multiple physiological processes including working memory, pain, emotion, and interoceptive functions. Previous studies have indicated that the anterior insular cortex (aIC) also mediates interoceptive attention in humans. However, the exact cellular and physiological function of the aIC in the regulation of this process is still elusive. Methods In this study, using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) testing paradigm, we assessed the role of the aIC in visuospatial attention and impulsiveness in mice. Results The results showed a dramatic activation of c-Fos in the aIC CaMKIIα neurons after the 5-CSRTT procedure. In vivo fiber photometry revealed enhanced calcium signaling in aIC CaMKIIα neurons when the mice responded correctly. In addition, chemogenetic suppression of aIC CaMKIIα neurons led to increased incorrect responses within the appropriate time. Importantly, pharmacological activation of aIC CaMKIIα neurons enhanced their performance in the 5-CSRTT test. Discussion These results provide compelling evidence that aIC CaMKIIα neurons are essential for the modulation of attentional processing in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingping Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shaofei Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
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Arrondeau C, Urueña-Méndez G, Bellés L, Marchessaux F, Goutaudier R, Ginovart N. Motor impulsivity but not risk-related impulsive choice is associated to drug intake and drug-primed relapse. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1200392. [PMID: 37333480 PMCID: PMC10275384 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1200392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Motor impulsivity and risk-related impulsive choice have been proposed as vulnerability factors for drug abuse, due to their high prevalence in drug abusers. However, how these two facets of impulsivity are associated to drug abuse remains unclear. Here, we investigated the predictive value of both motor impulsivity and risk-related impulsive choice on characteristics of drug abuse including initiation and maintenance of drug use, motivation for the drug, extinction of drug-seeking behavior following drug discontinuation and, finally, propensity to relapse. Methods We used the Roman High- (RHA) and Low- Avoidance (RLA) rat lines, which display innate phenotypical differences in motor impulsivity, risk-related impulsive choice, and propensity to self-administer drugs. Individual levels of motor impulsivity and risk-related impulsive choice were measured using the rat Gambling task. Then, rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine (0.3 mg/kg/infusion; 14 days) to evaluate acquisition and maintenance of cocaine self-administration, after which motivation for cocaine was assessed using a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. Subsequently, rats were tested for their resistance to extinction, followed by cue-induced and drug-primed reinstatement sessions to evaluate relapse. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the dopamine stabilizer aripiprazole on reinstatement of drug-seeking behaviors. Results We found that motor impulsivity and risk-related impulsive choice were positively correlated at baseline. Furthermore, innate high levels of motor impulsivity were associated with higher drug use and increased vulnerability to cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug-seeking. However, no relationships were observed between motor impulsivity and the motivation for the drug, extinction or cue-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking. High levels of risk-related impulsive choice were not associated to any aspects of drug abuse measured in our study. Additionally, aripiprazole similarly blocked cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug-seeking in both high- and low-impulsive animals, suggesting that aripiprazole acts as a D2/3R antagonist to prevent relapse independently of the levels of impulsivity and propensity to self-administer drugs. Discussion Altogether, our study highlights motor impulsivity as an important predictive factor for drug abuse and drug-primed relapse. On the other hand, the involvement of risk-related impulsive choice as a risk factor for drug abuse appears to be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Arrondeau
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ginna Urueña-Méndez
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lidia Bellés
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florian Marchessaux
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Raphaël Goutaudier
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Ginovart
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Kutash LA, Moschonas EH, O'Neil DA, Craine TJ, Iouchmanov AL, Sunleaf CR, Nicholas MA, Grobengieser KO, Patel AK, Toader M, Ranellone TS, Rennerfeldt PL, Cheng JP, Race NS, Kline AE, Bondi CO. Sustained attention performance deficits in the three-choice serial reaction time task in male and female rats after experimental brain trauma. Brain Res 2023; 1808:148336. [PMID: 36948353 PMCID: PMC11037439 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Impaired attention is central to the cognitive deficits associated with long-term sequelae for many traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. Assessing complex sustained attention post-TBI is clinically-relevant and may provide reliable avenues towards developing therapeutic and rehabilitation targets in both males and females. We hypothesized that rats subjected to a moderate TBI will exhibit attentional deficits seen as reduced accuracy and increased distractibility in an operant 3-choice serial reaction time task (3-CSRT), designed as an analogue of the clinical continuous performance test. Upon reaching baseline of 70% accuracy at the 300 ms cue, adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a controlled cortical impact (2.8 mm deformation at 4 m/s) or sham injury over the right parietal cortex. After two weeks of recovery, they were retested on the 3-CSRT for ten days. Dependent measures include percent accuracy (overall and for each of the three cue ports), percent omissions, as well as latency to instrumental poke and retrieve reward. Results demonstrate that both males and females displayed reduced percent accuracy and increased omissions when re-tested post-TBI on 3-CSRT compared to Sham rats and to their own pre-insult baseline (p's < 0.05). Performance accuracy was impaired consistently throughout the ten days of post-surgery re-testing, suggesting pronounced and long-lasting dysfunction in sustained attention processes. Deficits were specifically more pronounced when the cue was pseudorandomly presented in the left-side cue port (p < 0.05), mirroring clinical hemispatial neglect. These data demonstrate significant and persistent complex attention impairments in both sexes after TBI, rendering identifying efficient therapies for cognitive recovery as pivotal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Kutash
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eleni H Moschonas
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Darik A O'Neil
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Timothy J Craine
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Anna L Iouchmanov
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Carlson R Sunleaf
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melissa A Nicholas
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Katherine O Grobengieser
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aarti K Patel
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mihaela Toader
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tyler S Ranellone
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Piper L Rennerfeldt
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Cheng
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas S Race
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Association of Academic Physiatrists Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program, Owings Mills, MD, USA
| | - Anthony E Kline
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Corina O Bondi
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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8
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Eckard ML, Welle K, Sobolewski M, Cory-Slechta DA. A behavioral timing intervention upregulates striatal serotonergic markers and reduces impulsive action in adult male mice. Behav Brain Res 2023; 440:114267. [PMID: 36539165 PMCID: PMC9839656 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Many studies support the hypothesis that time-based interventions reduce impulsive behavior in rodents. However, few studies have directly assessed 1) how such interventions affect impulsive action rather than impulsive choice, 2) if intervention effects differ by sex, and 3) how time-based interventions affect neurochemistry in regions mediating decision-making and reward. Thus, we assessed how a fixed-interval (FI) intervention initiated during late adolescence and extending into adulthood affected dopaminergic and serotonergic analytes in the frontal cortex and striatum and subsequent impulsive action in adult male and female mice. Beginning on postnatal day (PND) 45, mice were either trained on a progressive series of FI schedules (FI 20, 40, & 60 s) or remained in the home cage. Following the intervention, increases in striatal serotonergic analytes were found in FI-exposed males and females (n = 8/sex/group) with few changes found in the frontal cortex. Impulsive action was assessed in the remaining mice (n = 10/sex/group) using a fixed-ratio waiting-for-reward (FR-wait) task in which completion of an FR-25 component initiated a "free" pellet component in which pellets were delivered at increasing intervals according to a fixed delay increment that varied across sessions. Responses reset the additive delay and initiated a new FR-25 component. FI-exposed males, but not females, showed fewer delay resets and no-wait resets relative to control mice. Importantly, FI-exposure did not affect discrimination reversal performance in either sex. These data suggest that time-based interventions may reduce impulsive action in addition to impulsive choice perhaps with increased male sensitivity. Additionally, time-based interventions appear to operate through striatal serotonergic augmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Eckard
- Department of Psychology, Radford University, Radford, VA, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - K Welle
- Mass Spectrometry Resource Laboratory, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - M Sobolewski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - D A Cory-Slechta
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Mali I, Payne M, King C, Maze TR, Davison T, Challans B, Bossmann SH, Plakke B. Adolescent female valproic acid rats have impaired extra-dimensional shifts of attention and enlarged anterior cingulate cortices. Brain Res 2023; 1800:148199. [PMID: 36509128 PMCID: PMC9835202 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In order to develop better treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) it is critical to understand the developmental trajectory of the disorder and the accompanying brain changes. This study used the valproic acid (VPA) model to induce ASD-like symptoms in rodents. Prior studies have demonstrated that VPA animals are impaired on executive function tasks, paralleling results in humans with ASD. Here, VPA adolescent female rats were impaired on a set-shifting task and had enlarged frontal cortices compared to control females. The deficits observed in the VPA female rats mirrors results in females with ASD. In addition, adolescent VPA females with enlarged frontal cortices performed the worst across the entire task. These brain changes in adolescence are also found in adolescent humans with ASD. These novel findings highlight the importance of studying the brain at different developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivina Mali
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Macy Payne
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Cole King
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Tessa R Maze
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Taylor Davison
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Brandon Challans
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Stefan H Bossmann
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Bethany Plakke
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
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10
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Bellés L, Arrondeau C, Urueña-Méndez G, Ginovart N. Concurrent measures of impulsive action and choice are partially related and differentially modulated by dopamine D 1- and D 2-like receptors in a rat model of impulsivity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 222:173508. [PMID: 36473517 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct, but the relationships between its constructs and their respective underlying dopaminergic underpinnings in the general population remain unclear. A cohort of Roman high- (RHA) and low- (RLA) avoidance rats were tested for impulsive action and risky decision-making in the rat gambling task, and then for delay discounting in the delay-discounting task to concurrently measure the relationships among the three constructs of impulsivity using a within-subject design. Then, we evaluated the effects of dopaminergic drugs on the three constructs of impulsivity, considering innate differences in impulsive behaviors at baseline. Risky decision-making and delay-discounting were positively correlated, indicating that both constructs of impulsive choice are related. Impulsive action positively correlated with risky decision-making but not with delay discounting, suggesting partial overlap between impulsive action and impulsive choice. RHAs showed a more impulsive phenotype in the three constructs of impulsivity compared to RLAs, demonstrating the comorbid nature of impulsivity in a population of rats. Amphetamine increased impulsive action and had no effect on risky decision-making regardless of baseline levels of impulsivity, but it decreased delay discounting only in high impulsive RHAs. In contrast, while D1R and D3R agonism as well as D2/3R partial agonism decreased impulsive action regardless of baseline levels of impulsivity, D2/3R agonism decreased impulsive action exclusively in high impulsive RHAs. Irrespective of baseline levels of impulsivity, risky decision-making was increased by D1R and D2/3R agonism but not by D3R agonism or D2/3R partial agonism. Finally, while D1R and D3R agonism, D2/3R partial agonism and D2R blockade increased delay discounting irrespective of baseline levels of impulsivity, D2/3R agonism decreased it in low impulsive RLAs only. These findings indicate that the acute effects of dopamine drugs were partially overlapping across dimensions of impulsivity, and that only D2/3R agonism showed baseline-dependent effects on impulsive action and impulsive choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Bellés
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Chloé Arrondeau
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Ginna Urueña-Méndez
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Nathalie Ginovart
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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Hilz EN, Gore AC. Sex-specific Effects of Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals on Brain Monoamines and Cognitive Behavior. Endocrinology 2022; 163:bqac128. [PMID: 35939362 PMCID: PMC9419695 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The period of brain sexual differentiation is characterized by the development of hormone-sensitive neural circuits that govern the subsequent presentation of sexually dimorphic behavior in adulthood. Perturbations of hormones by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during this developmental period interfere with an organism's endocrine function and can disrupt the normative organization of male- or female-typical neural circuitry. This is well characterized for reproductive and social behaviors and their underlying circuitry in the hypothalamus and other limbic regions of the brain; however, cognitive behaviors are also sexually dimorphic, with their underlying neural circuitry potentially vulnerable to EDC exposure during critical periods of brain development. This review provides recent evidence for sex-specific changes to the brain's monoaminergic systems (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine) after developmental EDC exposure and relates these outcomes to sex differences in cognition such as affective, attentional, and learning/memory behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Hilz
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Andrea C Gore
- Correspondence: Andrea C. Gore, PhD, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton St, Box C0875, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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12
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Granata L, Gildawie KR, Ismail N, Brenhouse HC, Kopec AM. Immune signaling as a node of interaction between systems that sex-specifically develop during puberty and adolescence. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 57:101143. [PMID: 35933922 PMCID: PMC9357835 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is pivotal for neural and behavioral development across species. During this period, maturation occurs in several biological systems, the most well-recognized being activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis marking pubertal onset. Increasing comparative studies of sex differences have enriched our understanding of systems integration during neurodevelopment. In recent years, immune signaling has emerged as a key node of interaction between a variety of biological signaling processes. Herein, we review the age- and sex-specific changes that occur in neural, hypothalamic-pituitary, and microbiome systems during adolescence. We then describe how immune signaling interacts with these systems, and review recent preclinical evidence indicating that immune signaling may play a central role in integrating changes in their typical and atypical development during adolescence. Finally, we discuss the translational relevance of these preclinical studies to human health and wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Granata
- Northeastern University, 125 Nightingale Hall, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Kelsea R Gildawie
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Rd. North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall 2076A, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada.
| | | | - Ashley M Kopec
- Albany Medical College, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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13
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Abbott MS, Seaman RW, Doyle MR, Maguire DR, Rice KC, Collins GT. Interactions between impulsivity and MDPV self-administration in rats. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13168. [PMID: 35470552 PMCID: PMC9425731 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones, such as 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), are recreational drugs of abuse often identified in 'bath salts' preparations. Humans report compulsive patterns of bath salts use, and previous work suggests that a subset of rats develop unusually high levels of MDPV self-administration. This study aims to test the hypothesis that high levels of impulsivity (e.g., inability to withhold responding for a sucrose reward) will predispose rats to high levels of MDPV self-administration relative to rats with lower levels of impulsivity. The 1-choice serial reaction time task (1-CSRTT) was used to assess impulsivity (i.e., premature responding) in 10 female and 10 male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were then allowed to self-administer 0.032 mg/kg/inf MDPV or 0.32 mg/kg/inf cocaine, after which full dose-response curves for MDPV (0.001-0.1 mg/kg/inf) or cocaine (0.01-1 mg/kg/inf) were generated under a FR5 schedule of reinforcement. After a history of self-administering MDPV or cocaine, impulsivity was reassessed under the 1-CSRTT, prior to evaluating the acute effects of MDPV (0.032-0.32 mg/kg) or cocaine (0.1-1 mg/kg) on impulsivity. Level of impulsivity was not correlated with subsequent levels of either MDPV or cocaine self-administration, and level of drug self-administration was also not correlated with subsequent levels of impulsivity, although acute administration of MDPV and cocaine did increase premature responding. In failing to find direct relationships between either impulsivity and subsequent drug-taking behaviour, or drug-taking behaviour and subsequent assessments of impulsivity, these findings highlight the complexity inherent in the associations between impulsive behaviour and drug-taking behaviour in both animal models and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S. Abbott
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Robert W. Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Michelle R. Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
| | - David R. Maguire
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch NIDA and NIAAA Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Gregory T. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
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14
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Allen AT, Heaton EC, Shapiro LP, Butkovich LM, Yount ST, Davies RA, Li DC, Swanson AM, Gourley SL. Inter-individual variability amplified through breeding reveals control of reward-related action strategies by Melanocortin-4 Receptor in the dorsomedial striatum. Commun Biol 2022; 5:116. [PMID: 35136204 PMCID: PMC8825839 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In day-to-day life, we often must choose between pursuing familiar behaviors or adjusting behaviors when new strategies might be more fruitful. The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) is indispensable for arbitrating between old and new action strategies. To uncover molecular mechanisms, we trained mice to generate nose poke responses for food, then uncoupled the predictive relationship between one action and its outcome. We then bred the mice that failed to rapidly modify responding. This breeding created offspring with the same tendencies, failing to inhibit behaviors that were not reinforced. These mice had less post-synaptic density protein 95 in the DMS. Also, densities of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), a high-affinity receptor for α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, predicted individuals' response strategies. Specifically, high MC4R levels were associated with poor response inhibition. We next found that reducing Mc4r in the DMS in otherwise typical mice expedited response inhibition, allowing mice to modify behavior when rewards were unavailable or lost value. This process required inputs from the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region canonically associated with response strategy switching. Thus, MC4R in the DMS appears to propel reward-seeking behavior, even when it is not fruitful, while moderating MC4R presence increases the capacity of mice to inhibit such behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylet T Allen
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Heaton
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lauren P Shapiro
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laura M Butkovich
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sophie T Yount
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel A Davies
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dan C Li
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrew M Swanson
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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15
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Cognitive performance during adulthood in a rat model of neonatal diffuse white matter injury. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:745-764. [PMID: 35064798 PMCID: PMC8891199 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06053-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Infants born prematurely risk developing diffuse white matter injury (WMI), which is associated with impaired cognitive functioning and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. Recently, our rat model of preterm diffuse WMI induced by combined fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia showed impaired motor performance, anxiety-like behaviour and autism-like behaviour in juvenile rats, especially males. Immunohistochemistry showed delayed myelination in the sensory cortex and impaired oligodendrocyte differentiation. OBJECTIVE To assess long-term cognitive deficits in this double-hit rat model of diffuse WMI, animals were screened on impulsivity, attention and cognitive flexibility in adulthood using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) and a probabilistic reversal learning task, tests that require a proper functioning prefrontal cortex. Thereafter, myelination deficits were evaluated by immunofluorescent staining in adulthood. RESULTS Overall, little effect of WMI or sex was found in the cognitive tasks. WMI animals showed subtle differences in performance in the 5CSRTT. Manipulating 5CSRTT parameters resulted in performance patterns previously seen in the literature. Sex differences were found in perseverative responses and omitted trials: female WMI rats seem to be less flexible in the 5CSRTT but not in the reversal learning task. Males collected rewards faster in the probabilistic reversal learning task. These findings are explained by temporally rather than permanently affected myelination and by the absence of extensive injury to prefrontal cortical subregions, confirmed by immunofluorescent staining in both adolescence and adulthood. CONCLUSION This rat model of preterm WMI does not lead to long-term cognitive deficits as observed in prematurely born human infants.
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16
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Valentina S, Blasio A, Ferragud A, Quadir SG, Iyer MR, Rice KC, Cottone P. Characterization of a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding task in non-deprived male and female rats: Role of Sigma-1 receptors. Neuropharmacology 2021; 200:108786. [PMID: 34516984 PMCID: PMC9869339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Impulsive action can be defined as the inability to withhold a response and represents one of the dimensions of the broad construct impulsivity. Here, we characterized a modified differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) task developed in our laboratory, in which impulsive action is measured in ad libitum fed/watered subjects. Specifically, we first determined the effects of both sex and estrous cycle on impulsive action by systematically comparing male and estrous-synchronized female subjects. In addition, we evaluated the convergent validity of this modified DRL task by testing the effects of the D2R/5HT2AR antagonist, aripiprazole, and the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist, MK-801. Finally, we tested the effects of the selective antagonist BD-1063 and agonist PRE-084 of Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) on impulsive action using this modified DRL task. We found that female rats showed and increased inability to withhold a response when compared to males, and this effect was driven by the metestrus/diestrus phase of the estrous cycle. In addition, aripiprazole and MK-801 fully retained their capability to reduce and increase impulsive action, respectively. Finally, the selective Sig-1R antagonist, BD-1063 dose-dependently reduced the inability to withhold a response in both sexes, though more potently in female rats. In summary, we show that impulsive action, as measured in a modified DRL task which minimizes energy-homeostatic influences, is a function of both sex and estrous cycle. Furthermore, we validate the convergent validity of the task and provide evidence that Sig-1R antagonism may represent a novel pharmacological strategy to reduce impulsive action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabino Valentina
- Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Angelo Blasio
- Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio Ferragud
- Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sema G Quadir
- Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Malliga R Iyer
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pietro Cottone
- Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Lolier M, Miller RO, Wood RI, Wagner CK. Performance on a modified signal detection task of attention is impaired in male and female rats following developmental exposure to the synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Horm Behav 2021; 135:105039. [PMID: 34303952 PMCID: PMC8988016 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Based on evidence that the developing mesocortical dopamine pathway is sensitive to progestins, in the present study we tested the hypothesis that attention, a fundamental component of successful cognitive behavior, is disrupted by developmental exposure to the synthetic progestin, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC). To assess attentional impairments, a modified signal detection task was utilized with three stimulus modalities: compound (light and tone), light alone, and tone alone, for four stimulus durations (2, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 s). Adult rats were trained to push one lever if they detected the stimulus, and another lever if the stimulus was not presented. 17-OHPC animals were able to attend to the task, as evidenced by similar correct responses as controls. However, as the task became increasingly difficult at shorter durations, 17-OHPC animals made significantly more omissions compared to controls, suggesting that 17-OHPC treatment may disrupt attentional processes and/or delay response time. These findings add to the current body of literature demonstrating that exposure to 17-OHPC during development produces deficits in cognitive behavior in adulthood. These results may inform potential risks associated with 17-OHPC treatment in pregnant women with a history of preterm delivery who are commonly recipients of such treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Lolier
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Roy O Miller
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christine K Wagner
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
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18
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A sex-dependent role for the prelimbic cortex in impulsive action both before and following early cocaine abstinence. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1565-1573. [PMID: 33972695 PMCID: PMC8280154 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Although impulsive action is strongly associated with addiction, the neural underpinnings of this relationship and how they are influenced by sex have not been well characterized. Here, we used a titrating reaction time task to assess differences in impulsive action in male and female Long Evans rats both before and after short (4-6 days) or long (25-27 days) abstinence from 2 weeks of cocaine or water/saline self-administration (6 h daily access). Neural activity in the prelimbic cortex (PrL) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) core was assessed at each time point. We found that a history of cocaine self-administration increased impulsivity in all rats following short, but not long, abstinence. Furthermore, male rats with an increased ratio of excited to inhibited neurons in the PrL at the start of each trial in the task exhibited higher impulsivity in the naïve state (before self-administration). Following short abstinence from cocaine, PrL activity in males became more inhibited, and this change in activity predicted the shift in impulsivity. However, PrL activity did not track impulsivity in female rats. Additionally, although the NAc core tracked several aspects of behavior in the task, it did not track impulsivity in either sex. Together, these findings demonstrate a sex-dependent role for the PrL in impulsivity both before and after a history of cocaine.
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19
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Juvenile stress increases cocaine-induced impulsivity in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113488. [PMID: 34329670 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In humans, adverse childhood experiences are associated with an increased risk of developing a neuropsychiatric disorder. Changes in social behavior and cognitive function are hallmarks of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we examined the effects of exposure to variable stress during the juvenile period on social behavior, reward, and cognitive function (as measured in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT)) in rats. From postnatal days (PND) 25-29 male and female rats were exposed to a variable stress protocol. In adulthood, social interactions and sucrose preference were assessed prior to training on the 5CSRTT. Once successfully trained, rats were challenged with different task versions, and then the effects of cocaine (0, 10, or 20 mg/kg, IP) on performance were assessed. A follow-up experiment examined the ability of the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride (0.0, 0.025, 0.05 mg/kg, IP) to block the effects of cocaine on 5CSRTT performance in female rats. Male rats exposed to juvenile stress tended to engage in less social behavior and had an increased correct response latency in the 5CSRTT following cocaine administration. Female rats exposed to juvenile stress exhibited a trend towards increased social behavior and demonstrated increased cocaine-induced impulsivity. The increase in impulsivity was not blocked by co-administration of eticlopride. Juvenile stress had minimal effects on adult behavior in male rats, but increased cocaine-induced impulsivity in female rats. Such an effect could contribute to the enhanced escalation of drug-use observed in females that experience juvenile stress. This possibility awaits further testing.
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20
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Oberrauch S, Metha JA, Brian ML, Barnes SA, Featherby TJ, Lawrence AJ, Hoyer D, Murawski C, Jacobson LH. Reward motivation and cognitive flexibility in tau null-mutation mice. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 100:106-117. [PMID: 33524848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The reduction of tau or hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Cognitive decline and sleep-wake dysregulation seen in AD and FTD patients are mimicked in transgenic and null-mutation mouse models of tauopathy. Alterations in the reward system are additional symptoms of AD and FTD. However, the role of tau in reward processes is not well understood. The present study aimed to examine reward and reward-motivated cognitive processes in male and female tau knockout (tau-/-) and wild-type mice using progressive ratio and reversal learning tasks. Tau-/- mice were heavier, ate more in the home cage, and reached criterion in operant lever training faster than wild-type mice. Tau-/- mice had a higher breakpoint in progressive ratio but were unimpaired in reversal learning or reward sensitivity. These data indicate that tau loss of function alters reward processing. This may help to explain aberrant reward-related behaviors in tauopathy patients and highlights a potentially important area for consideration in the development of anti-tau therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Oberrauch
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeremy A Metha
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Finance, Brain, Mind & Markets Laboratory, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maddison L Brian
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel A Barnes
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Travis J Featherby
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoyer
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carsten Murawski
- Department of Finance, Brain, Mind & Markets Laboratory, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura H Jacobson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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21
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Mantanona CP, Božič T, Chudasama Y, Robbins TW, Dalley JW, Alsiö J, Pienaar IS. Dissociable contributions of mediodorsal and anterior thalamic nuclei in visual attentional performance: A comparison using nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:1371-1381. [PMID: 33103560 PMCID: PMC7708668 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120965880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thalamic subregions mediate various cognitive functions, including attention, inhibitory response control and decision making. Such neuronal activity is modulated by cholinergic thalamic afferents and deterioration of such modulatory signaling has been theorised to contribute to cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the thalamic subnuclei and cholinergic receptors involved in cognitive functioning remain largely unknown. AIMS We investigated whether muscarinic or nicotinic receptors in the mediodorsal thalamus and anterior thalamus contribute to rats' performance in the five-choice serial reaction time task, which measures sustained visual attention and impulsive action. METHODS Male Long-Evans rats were trained in the five-choice serial reaction time task then surgically implanted with guide cannulae targeting either the mediodorsal thalamus or anterior thalamus. Reversible inactivation of either the mediodorsal thalamus or anterior thalamus were achieved with infusions of the γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonists muscimol and baclofen prior to behavioural assessment. To investigate cholinergic mechanisms, we also assessed the behavioural effects of locally administered nicotinic (mecamylamine) and muscarinic (scopolamine) receptor antagonists. RESULTS Reversible inactivation of the mediodorsal thalamus severely impaired discriminative accuracy and response speed and increased omissions. Inactivation of the anterior thalamus produced less profound effects, with impaired accuracy at the highest dose. In contrast, blocking cholinergic transmission in these regions did not significantly affect five-choice serial reaction time task performance. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS These findings show the mediodorsal thalamus plays a key role in visuospatial attentional performance that is independent of local cholinergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P Mantanona
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tadej Božič
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yogita Chudasama
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jeffrey W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Department of Psychiatry, Hershel Smith Building for Brain and Mind Sciences, Forvie Site, Cambridge, UK
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ilse S Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK,Ilse S Pienaar, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, John Maynard Smith building, Brighton, Falmer BN1 9PH, UK.
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22
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Measuring attention in rats with a visual signal detection task: Signal intensity vs. signal duration. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 199:173069. [PMID: 33144207 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of attentional performance in animal behavioral research allows us to investigate neural mechanisms underlying attentional processes and translate results to better understand human attentional function, dysfunction and drug treatments to reverse dysfunction. One useful method to measure attention in experimental animal studies is to use an operant visual signal detection paradigm, consisting of two levers and the rapid flashing of a cue lamp to signal a reward. In this study, we tested the relative sensitivity of this task when using different variants of the stimulus signal, varying brightness or duration of the light cue. To investigate roles of different neural systems underlying attentional processes, we assessed the sensitivity of attentional performance with these two different cue variations with blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine and NMDA glutamate receptors with scopolamine and MK-801 (dizocilpine). Operant signal detection was tested using a signal light that varied in intensity (0.027, 0.269, 1.22 lx) of the signal light or in a paradigm which varied the duration (0.5 s, 1 s, 2 s) of the signal light. Both methods of assessing attention showed construct validity for producing gradients of accuracy for signal detection; the dimmest cue led to less accurate responding compared to the brighter cues, and the shortest duration led to less accuracy compared to the longer durations. However, the tests differed in their sensitivity to pharmacological disruption. With the duration test, the high dose of MK-801 along with co-exposure of scopolamine and MK-801 caused a significant reduction of hit and rejection accuracy. Conversely, the intensity variation test did not show significant differences as a function of drug exposures. These data suggest that changes in signal duration, rather than signal intensity, during operant signal detection may have higher sensitivity to detecting drug effects and be a more useful technique for examining pharmacological interventions on attentional behavior and performance.
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Darling JS, Bayless DW, Dartez LR, Taylor JJ, Mehrotra A, Smith WL, Daniel JM. Sex differences in impulsivity in adult rats are mediated by organizational actions of neonatal gonadal hormones and not by hormones acting at puberty or in adulthood. Behav Brain Res 2020; 395:112843. [PMID: 32755634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Males as compared to females display increased impulsivity and inefficient inhibitory control and are more frequently diagnosed with disorders characterized by impulsivity. We previously demonstrated male rats make more impulsive action responses (i.e. premature responding) than females on the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). Furthermore, pre-pubertal male rats make more impulsive choice responses (i.e. choosing an immediate small reward over a delayed larger reward) than females on a delayed-based reward T-maze task. The goal of the current work was to determine if gonadal hormones impact sex differences in impulsivity in adult rats. In an initial experiment, male and female rats underwent sham surgeries or were gonadectomized either pre-pubertally or during adulthood and tested on the 5-CSRTT in adulthood. Males displayed more impulsive action responses than females regardless of hormone status. In a second experiment, females received testosterone or vehicle injections on postnatal days 1 and 2. Males received vehicle injections. All rats were gonadectomized prior to puberty and tested on the 5-CSRTT in adulthood. Females treated neonatally with testosterone and control males made more impulsive action responses than control females. In another set of experiments, manipulation of gonadal hormones led to no differences in performance on the delayed-based reward T-maze task in males and females. Results indicate that no sex difference is apparent in impulsive choice on a delayed-base reward task in adult rats. They also reveal that adult sex differences on a task of impulsive action is mediated by organizational effects of gonadal hormones acting during the neonatal period and not impacted by hormones acting during puberty or adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Darling
- Neuroscience Program, United States; Tulane Brain Institute, United States.
| | - Daniel W Bayless
- Psychology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States; Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305 United States
| | - Lauren R Dartez
- Neuroscience Program, United States; Tulane Brain Institute, United States
| | - Joshua J Taylor
- Neuroscience Program, United States; Tulane Brain Institute, United States
| | - Arjun Mehrotra
- Neuroscience Program, United States; Tulane Brain Institute, United States
| | - William L Smith
- Neuroscience Program, United States; Tulane Brain Institute, United States
| | - Jill M Daniel
- Neuroscience Program, United States; Tulane Brain Institute, United States; Psychology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States
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Bryce CA, Floresco SB. Central CRF and acute stress differentially modulate probabilistic reversal learning in male and female rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112929. [PMID: 32998044 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Acute stress can have variable and sometimes sex-dependent effects on different executive functions, including cognitive flexibility, some of which may be mediated by increased corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Previous studies on the effects of stress and CRF on cognitive flexibility have used procedures entailing deterministic rewards, yet how they may alter behavior when outcomes are probabilistic is unclear. The present study examined how acute stress and increased CRF activity alters probabilistic reversal learning (PRL) in male and female rats. Rats learned to discriminate between a 'correct' lever rewarded on 80 % of trials, and an "incorrect" lever delivering reward on 20 % of trials, with reward contingencies reversed after 8 consecutive correct choices. Separate groups received either intracerebroventricular infusions of CRF (3 μg) or restraint stress prior to a PRL session. Experiments examined how these manipulations affected learning when given prior to a one-day acquisition test or during performance in well-trained rats. Exogenous CRF, and to a lesser extent acute stress, impaired motivation across sexes, slowing deliberation times and increasing the number of trials omitted, particularly following a switch in reward contingencies. Neither manipulation significantly altered errors or reversal performance. However, increased CRF activity reduced negative feedback sensitivity. Across manipulations, females showed increased omissions and choice latencies, and were less sensitive to feedback than males. These results reveal the complexity with which stress, CRF, sex, and experience interact to alter aspects of motivation and probabilistic reinforcement learning and provide insight into how CRF activity may contribute to symptoms of stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Bryce
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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25
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Aguirre CG, Stolyarova A, Das K, Kolli S, Marty V, Ray L, Spigelman I, Izquierdo A. Sex-dependent effects of chronic intermittent voluntary alcohol consumption on attentional, not motivational, measures during probabilistic learning and reversal. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234729. [PMID: 32555668 PMCID: PMC7302450 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Forced alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) exposure has been shown to cause significant impairments on reversal learning, a widely-used assay of cognitive flexibility, specifically on fully-predictive, deterministic versions of this task. However, previous studies have not adequately considered voluntary EtOH consumption and sex effects on probabilistic reversal learning. The present study aimed to fill this gap in the literature. Methods Male and female Long-Evans rats underwent either 10 weeks of voluntary intermittent 20% EtOH access or water only (H2O) access. Rats were then pretrained to initiate trials and learn stimulus-reward associations via touchscreen response, and subsequently required to select between two visual stimuli, rewarded with probability 0.70 or 0.30. In the final phase, reinforcement contingencies were reversed. Results We found significant sex differences on several EtOH-drinking variables, with females reaching a higher maximum EtOH consumption, exhibiting more high-drinking days, and escalating their EtOH at a quicker rate compared to males. During early abstinence, EtOH drinkers (and particularly EtOH-drinking females) made more initiation omissions and were slower to initiate trials than H2O drinking controls, especially during pretraining. A similar pattern in trial initiations was also observed in discrimination, but not in reversal learning. EtOH drinking rats were unaffected in their reward collection and stimulus response times, indicating intact motivation and motor responding. Although there were sex differences in discrimination and reversal phases, performance improved over time. We also observed sex-independent drinking group differences in win-stay and lose-shift strategies specific to the reversal phase. Conclusions Females exhibit increased vulnerability to EtOH effects in early learning: there were sex-dependent EtOH effects on attentional measures during pretraining and discrimination phases. We also found sex-independent EtOH effects on exploration strategies during reversal. Future studies should aim to uncover the neural mechanisms for changes in attention and exploration in both acute and prolonged EtOH withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia G. Aguirre
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AI); (CGA)
| | - Alexandra Stolyarova
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kanak Das
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Saisriya Kolli
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Vincent Marty
- The Brain Research Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- School of Dentistry, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States America
| | - Lara Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- The Brain Research Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Integrative Center for Addictions, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Igor Spigelman
- The Brain Research Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- School of Dentistry, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States America
| | - Alicia Izquierdo
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- The Brain Research Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Integrative Center for Addictions, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AI); (CGA)
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26
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Silveira MM, Wittekindt SN, Mortazavi L, Hathaway BA, Winstanley CA. Investigating serotonergic contributions to cognitive effort allocation, attention, and impulsive action in female rats. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:452-466. [PMID: 31913079 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119896043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals must frequently evaluate whether it is worth allocating cognitive effort for desired outcomes. Motivational deficits are a common feature of psychiatric illness such as major depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used to treat this disorder, yet some data suggest these compounds are ineffective at treating amotivation, and may even exacerbate it. AIMS Here we used the rodent Cognitive Effort Task (rCET) to assess serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) contributions to decision-making with cognitive effort costs. METHODS The rCET is a modified version of the 5-choice serial reaction time task, a well-validated test of visuospatial attention and impulse control. At the start of each rCET trial, rats chose one of two levers, which set the difficulty of an attentional challenge, namely the localization of a visual stimulus illuminated for 0.2 or 1 s on hard versus easy trials. Successful completion of hard trials was rewarded with double the sugar pellets. Twenty-four female Long-Evans rats were trained on the rCET and systemically administered the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT, the 5-HT2A antagonist M100907, the 5-HT2C agonist Ro-60-0175, as well as the 5-HT2C antagonist SB 242, 084. RESULTS 5-HT2A antagonism dose-dependently reduced premature responding, while 5-HT2C antagonism had the opposite effect. 8-OH-DPAT impaired accuracy of target detection at higher doses, while Ro-60-0175 dose-dependently improved accuracy on difficult trials. However, none of the drugs affected the rats' choice of the harder option. CONCLUSION When considered with existing work evaluating decision-making with physical effort costs, it appears that serotonergic signalling plays a minor role in guiding effort allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason M Silveira
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sebastian N Wittekindt
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Leili Mortazavi
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brett A Hathaway
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Catharine A Winstanley
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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27
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Nazari A, Perez-Fernandez C, Flores P, Moreno M, Sánchez-Santed F. Age-dependent effects of repeated methamphetamine exposure on locomotor activity and attentional function in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 191:172879. [PMID: 32088359 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Many adolescents use amphetamines which are the second most common abused illegal drugs. Methamphetamine (Meth), as a potent amphetamine affects attentional functions. However, the most significant factor for susceptibility to Meth is the age of exposure, most studies have examined the effects of Meth after early adolescence stage. The present experiment was aimed to investigate some possible short- and long-term effects of Meth at two distinct points of adolescence stage (early versus late) on 1) locomotor activity in adolescent rats and 2) attentional functions in their adulthood. Rats received Meth (5 mg/kg, i.p., for consecutive 10 days) during early adolescence (postnatal days (PND) 30-39) or late adolescence (PND 50-59). Locomotor activity was assessed after the first and tenth injections. Then, in adulthood, rats were trained and tested on the Five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) to display possible attentional impairments. The first Meth administration in early exposed adolescent (EEA) group produced the highest level of activity, compared with the first exposure in late exposed adolescent (LEA) group and tenth administrations in both groups. In adulthood, LEA group significantly delayed learning the 5-CSRTT and exhibited attentional impairments, as demonstrated by significant reduced response accuracy and increased omission errors under pharmacological challenge, compared with control group. The susceptibility to Meth depends on the age of exposure and Meth administration during late adolescence stage may cause prolonged attentional deficits in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Nazari
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, No, 88, Italia Street, Qods Street, 14177-55469 Tehran, Iran.
| | - Cristian Perez-Fernandez
- Department of Psychology, and Heath Research Center, Universidad de Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
| | - Pilar Flores
- Department of Psychology, and Heath Research Center, Universidad de Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
| | - Margarita Moreno
- Department of Psychology, and Heath Research Center, Universidad de Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Santed
- Department of Psychology, and Heath Research Center, Universidad de Almería, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
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Abstract
The central cholinergic system is one of the most important modulator neurotransmitter system implicated in diverse behavioral processes. Activation of the basal forebrain cortical cholinergic input system represents a critical step in cortical information processing. This chapter explores recent developments illustrating cortical cholinergic transmission mediate defined cognitive operations, which is contrary to the traditional view that acetylcholine acts as a slowly acting neuromodulator that influences arousal cortex-wide. Specifically, we review the evidence that phasic cholinergic signaling in the prefrontal cortex is a causal mediator of signal detection. In addition, studies that support the neuromodulatory role of cholinergic inputs in top-down attentional control are summarized. Finally, we review new findings that reveal sex differences and hormonal regulation of the cholinergic-attention system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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29
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The Claustrum-Prefrontal Cortex Pathway Regulates Impulsive-Like Behavior. J Neurosci 2019; 39:10071-10080. [PMID: 31704786 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1005-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The claustrum connects with a broad range of cortical areas including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, the function of the claustrum (CLA) and its neural projections remains largely unknown. Here, we elucidated the role of the neural projections from the CLA to the PFC in regulating impulsivity in male rats. We first identified the CLA-PFC pathway by retrograde tracer and virus expression. By using immunofluorescent staining of the c-Fos-positive neurons, we showed that chemogenetic activation and inhibition of the CLA-PFC pathway reduced and increased overall activity of the PFC, respectively. In the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), we found that chemogenetic activation and inhibition of the CLA-PFC pathway increased and reduced the impulsive-like behavior (i.e., premature responses), respectively. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of the CLA-PFC pathway prevented methamphetamine-induced impulsivity, without affecting methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity. In contrast to the role of CLA-PFC pathway in selectively regulating impulsivity, activation of the claustrum disrupted attention in the 5-CSRTT. These results indicate that the CLA-PFC pathway is essential for impulsivity. This study may shed light on the understanding of impulsivity-related disorders such as drug addiction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The claustrum is one of the most mysterious brain regions. Although extensive anatomical studies demonstrated that the claustrum connects with many cortical areas, the function of the neural projections between the claustrum and cortical areas remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that the neural projections from the claustrum to the prefrontal cortex regulates impulsivity by using the designer drugs (DREADDs)-based chemogenetic tools. Interestingly, the claustrum-prefrontal cortex pathway also regulates methamphetamine-induced impulsivity, suggesting a critical role of this neural pathway in regulating impulsivity-related disorders such as drug addiction. Our results provided preclinical evidence that the claustrum-prefrontal cortex regulates impulsivity. The claustrum-prefrontal cortex pathway may be a novel target for the treatment of impulsivity-related brain disorders.
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30
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Darling JS, Daniel JM. Pubertal hormones mediate sex differences in levels of myelin basic protein in the orbitofrontal cortex of adult rats. Neuroscience 2019; 406:487-495. [PMID: 30926549 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Previous work from our lab revealed that adult female rats have increased levels of myelin basic protein (MBP), a marker for myelination, in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as compared to adult males. The goal of the present study was to determine the role of gonadal hormones, acting either in adulthood or at puberty, in the development of an adult sex difference in OFC levels of MBP. In an initial experiment, we replicated our previous results demonstrating that gonadally intact female rats have increased levels of MBP in the OFC as compared to males. In a second experiment, gonadectomy in adulthood did not alter MBP levels in rats of either sex. In a third experiment, gonadectomy immediately prior to pubertal onset resulted in significant reduction of levels of MBP in adult females but not males. This reduction eliminated the sex difference in adult MBP levels in the OFC. These results reveal puberty to be an organizational time point for a sex difference in the OFC of adult rats in levels of a marker of myelination. This neuroanatomical difference may contribute to observed sex differences in OFC-associated behaviors including in inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Darling
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
| | - Jill M Daniel
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Psychology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
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31
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Hammerslag LR, Belagodu AP, Aladesuyi Arogundade OA, Karountzos AG, Guo Q, Galvez R, Roberts BW, Gulley JM. Adolescent impulsivity as a sex-dependent and subtype-dependent predictor of impulsivity, alcohol drinking and dopamine D 2 receptor expression in adult rats. Addict Biol 2019; 24:193-205. [PMID: 29210144 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Impulsivity is a personality trait associated with a heightened risk for drug use and other psychiatric conditions. Because impulsivity-related disorders typically emerge during adolescence, there has been interest in exploring methods for identifying adolescents that will be at risk to develop substance use disorders in adulthood. Here, we used a rodent model to assess inhibitory control (impulsive action) and impulsive decision making (impulsive choice) during adolescence (43-50 days old) or adulthood (93-100 days old) and then examined the impact of development on these impulsivity traits by re-testing rats 50 days later. Impulsive action was not stable from adolescence to adulthood in male rats and was lowest in adult male rats, relative to adolescents and female rats. Impulsive choice was stable across development and unaffected by age or sex. Next, we examined the connection between our model of impulsivity and two measures relevant to substance abuse research: the initiation of voluntary alcohol drinking and dopamine D2 receptor (D2 R) expression in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex. Consumption of saccharin-sweetened ethanol during 30-minute sessions in adulthood was associated with adolescent, but not adult, impulsive action, particularly in male rats. Prelimbic D2 R expression was reduced in individuals with high levels of impulsive choice, and this relationship appeared to be strongest among female rats. The results of this study demonstrate that impulsive choice, along with its connection to D2 R expression, is relatively unchanged by the process of development. For impulsive action, however, individual levels of impulsivity during adolescence predict drinking in adulthood despite changes in the measure during development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amogh P. Belagodu
- Neuroscience Program; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
| | | | - Angela G. Karountzos
- Department of Psychology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
| | - Qingrou Guo
- Department of Psychology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
| | - Roberto Galvez
- Neuroscience Program; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
- Department of Psychology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
| | - Brent W. Roberts
- Department of Psychology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
| | - Joshua M. Gulley
- Neuroscience Program; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
- Department of Psychology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Champaign IL USA
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32
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Let's call the whole thing off: evaluating gender and sex differences in executive function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:86-96. [PMID: 30143781 PMCID: PMC6235899 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0179-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The executive functions allow for purposeful, deliberate, and intentional interactions with the world-attention and focus, impulse control, decision making, and working memory. These measures have been correlated with academic outcomes and quality of life, and are impacted by deleterious environmental events throughout the life span, including gestational and early life insults. This review will address the topic of sex differences in executive function including a discussion of differences arising in response to developmental programming. Work on gender differences in human studies and sex differences in animal research will be reviewed. Overall, we find little support for significant gender or sex differences in executive function. An important variable that factors into the interpretation of potential sex differences include differing developmental trajectories. We conclude by discussing future directions for the field and a brief discussion of biological mechanisms.
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33
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Soares AR, Esteves M, Moreira PS, Cunha AM, Guimarães MR, Carvalho MM, Raposo-Lima C, Morgado P, Carvalho AF, Coimbra B, Melo A, Rodrigues AJ, Salgado AJ, Pêgo JM, Cerqueira JJ, Costa P, Sousa N, Almeida A, Leite-Almeida H. Trait determinants of impulsive behavior: a comprehensive analysis of 188 rats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17666. [PMID: 30518850 PMCID: PMC6281674 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35537-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Impulsivity is a naturally occurring behavior that, when accentuated, can be found in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. The expression of trait impulsivity has been shown to change with a variety of factors, such as age and sex, but the existing literature does not reflect widespread consensus regarding the influence of modulating effects. We designed the present study to investigate, in a cohort of significant size (188 rats), the impact of four specific parameters, namely sex, age, strain and phase of estrous cycle, using the variable delay-to-signal (VDS) task. This cohort included (i) control animals from previous experiments; (ii) animals specifically raised for this study; and (iii) animals previously used for breeding purposes. Aging was associated with a general decrease in action impulsivity and an increase in delay tolerance. Females generally performed more impulsive actions than males but no differences were observed regarding delay intolerance. In terms of estrous cycle, no differences in impulsive behavior were observed and regarding strain, Wistar Han animals were, in general, more impulsive than Sprague-Dawley. In addition to further confirming, in a substantial study cohort, the decrease in impulsivity with age, we have demonstrated that both the strain and sex influences modulate different aspects of impulsive behavior manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rosa Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marco Rafael Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Miguel Murteira Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Catarina Raposo-Lima
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Morgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Franky Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Department of General Surgery, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Melo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António José Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José Miguel Pêgo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João José Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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Stuebing SL, Marshall AT, Triplett A, Kirkpatrick K. Females in the forefront: time-based intervention effects on impulsive choice and interval timing in female rats. Anim Cogn 2018; 21:759-772. [PMID: 30109539 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-018-1208-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Impulsive choice has been implicated in substance abuse, gambling, obesity, and other maladaptive behaviors. Deficits in interval timing may increase impulsive choices, and therefore, could serve as an avenue through which suboptimal impulsive choices can be moderated. Temporal interventions have successfully attenuated impulsive choices in male rats, but the efficacy of a temporal intervention has yet to be assessed in female rats. As such, this experiment examined timing and choice behavior in female rats, and evaluated the ability of a temporal intervention to mitigate impulsive choice behavior. The temporal intervention administered in this study was successful in reducing impulsive choices compared to a control group. Results of a temporal bisection task indicated that the temporal intervention increased long responses at the shorter durations. Further, results from the peak trials within the choice task combined with the progressive interval task suggest that the intervention increased sensitivity to delay and enhanced timing confidence. Overall, these results indicate that a temporal intervention can be a successful avenue for reducing impulsive choice behavior in female rats, and could contribute to the development of behavioral interventions to prevent impulsive choice and maladaptive behaviors that can be applied to both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Stuebing
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 492 Bluemont Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
| | - Andrew T Marshall
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 492 Bluemont Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Ashton Triplett
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 492 Bluemont Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.,Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, State University of New York-Oswego, Oswego, NY, 13126, USA
| | - Kimberly Kirkpatrick
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 492 Bluemont Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
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Swalve N, Smethells JR, Younk R, Mitchell J, Dougen B, Carroll ME. Sex-specific attenuation of impulsive action by progesterone in a go/no-go task for cocaine in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:135-143. [PMID: 29018893 PMCID: PMC5892199 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4750-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Previous work indicated that progesterone (PRO) reduced impulsive choice for cocaine in female but not male rats (Smethells et al. Psychopharmacology 233:2999-3008, 2016). Impulsive action, typically measured by responding for a reinforcer during a signaled period of nonavailability of natural reinforcers, predicts initiation and escalation of drug use in animals and humans. The present study examined impulsive action for cocaine using PRO in male and female rats trained on a go/no-go task. OBJECTIVE Rats were trained on a go/no-go task to respond for cocaine infusions (0.4 mg/kg/inf). During the "go" component, responding was reinforced on a VI 30-s schedule, whereas during the "no-go" component, withholding a response was reinforced on a differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) 30-s schedule. A response during the no-go component resets the DRO timer and served as a measure of impulsive action. After baseline responding was established, rats were pretreated with vehicle (VEH) or PRO (0.5 mg/kg), and DRO resets and responding during the go component for cocaine were compared in males vs. females. RESULTS DRO resets were significantly lower following PRO treatment compared to VEH in female, but not male, rats. Response rates and overall infusions during the go component were not significantly altered by PRO in either females or males. CONCLUSION Treatment with PRO resulted in a sex-specific reduction in impulsive action for cocaine, while not affecting cocaine self-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natashia Swalve
- Department of Psychology, Alma College, Alma, MI, 48801, USA
| | - John R Smethells
- Department of Medicine, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
| | - Rebecca Younk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, MMC 392 UMHC, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jared Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, MMC 392 UMHC, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Ben Dougen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, MMC 392 UMHC, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Marilyn E Carroll
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, MMC 392 UMHC, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Circadian disruption affects initial learning but not cognitive flexibility in an automated set-shifting task in adult Long-Evans rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 179:226-234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Attentional Control in Adolescent Mice Assessed with a Modified Five Choice Serial Reaction Time Task. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9936. [PMID: 28855580 PMCID: PMC5577211 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10112-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for the development of higher-order cognitive functions. Unlike in humans, very limited tools are available to assess such cognitive abilities in adolescent rodents. We implemented a modified 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5CSRTT) to selectively measure attentiveness, impulsivity, broad monitoring, processing speed and distractibility in adolescent mice. 21-day old C57BL/6J mice reliably acquired this task with no sex-dependent differences in 10–12 days. A protocol previously used in adults was less effective to assess impulsiveness in adolescents, but revealed increased vulnerability in females. Next, we distinctively assessed selective, divided and broad monitoring attention modeling the human Spatial Attentional Resource Allocation Task (SARAT). Finally, we measured susceptibility to distractions using non-predictive cues that selectively disrupted attention. These paradigms were also applied to two genetically modified lines: the dopamine transporter (DAT) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) heterozygous. Adolescent DAT hypo-functioning mice showed attentional deficits and higher impulsivity as found in adults. In contrast to adults, adolescent COMT hypo-functioning mice showed decreased impulsivity and attentional resilience to distractors. These paradigms open new avenues to study the establishment of higher-order cognitive functions in mice, as well as an effective tool for drug-testing and genetic screenings focused on adolescence.
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Huang H, Guadagna S, Mereu M, Ciampoli M, Pruzzo G, Ballard T, Papaleo F. A schizophrenia relevant 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task for mice assessing broad monitoring, distractibility and impulsivity. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:2047-2062. [PMID: 28378204 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4611-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5-CSRTT) is an automated test for rodents allowing the assessment of multiple cognitive measures. Originally designed to assess cognitive deficits relevant to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it has been widely used in the investigation of neural systems of attention. In the current study, we have set up a modified version, which reduced the training phase to only 8-9 days with minimal food deprivation and without single-housing. Furthermore, based on evidence that patients with schizophrenia are more impaired in broad monitoring abilities than in sustained attention, we successfully developed a protocol replicating the Spatial Attentional Resource Allocation Task (SARAT), used in humans to assess broad monitoring. During this task, when the target appeared at a single pre-cued location, mice selectively responded faster. Instead, increasing the number of validly cued locations proportionately decreased accuracy. We then validated a protocol which is relevant for neuropsychiatric disorders in which additional irrelevant pre-cue lights selectively disrupted attention (distractibility). Finally, we improved previously used protocols changing inter-trial intervals from 5 to 7 s by randomly presenting this shift only in 20% of the trials. This resulted in a selective effect on premature responses (impulsivity), with important implications for schizophrenia as well as for other mental disorders. Therefore, this revised 5-CSRTT reduced training and stress on the animals while selectively measuring different cognitive functions with translational validity to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Huang
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Simone Guadagna
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Maddalena Mereu
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Padova, Largo Meneghetti, 2, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Mariasole Ciampoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pruzzo
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Theresa Ballard
- Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Rare Diseases, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.
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Nautiyal KM, Wall MM, Wang S, Magalong VM, Ahmari SE, Balsam PD, Blanco C, Hen R. Genetic and Modeling Approaches Reveal Distinct Components of Impulsive Behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:1182-1191. [PMID: 27976680 PMCID: PMC5437890 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Impulsivity is an endophenotype found in many psychiatric disorders including substance use disorders, pathological gambling, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Two behavioral features often considered in impulsive behavior are behavioral inhibition (impulsive action) and delayed gratification (impulsive choice). However, the extent to which these behavioral constructs represent distinct facets of behavior with discrete biological bases is unclear. To test the hypothesis that impulsive action and impulsive choice represent statistically independent behavioral constructs in mice, we collected behavioral measures of impulsivity in a single cohort of mice using well-validated operant behavioral paradigms. Mice with manipulation of serotonin 1B receptor (5-HT1BR) expression were included as a model of disordered impulsivity. A factor analysis was used to characterize correlations between the measures of impulsivity and to identify covariates. Using two approaches, we dissociated impulsive action from impulsive choice. First, the absence of 5-HT1BRs caused increased impulsive action, but not impulsive choice. Second, based on an exploratory factor analysis, a two-factor model described the data well, with measures of impulsive action and choice separating into two independent factors. A multiple-indicator multiple-causes analysis showed that 5-HT1BR expression and sex were significant covariates of impulsivity. Males displayed increased impulsivity in both dimensions, whereas 5-HT1BR expression was a predictor of increased impulsive action only. These data support the conclusion that impulsive action and impulsive choice are distinct behavioral phenotypes with dissociable biological influences that can be modeled in mice. Our work may help inform better classification, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders, which present with disordered impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Nautiyal
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melanie M Wall
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA,Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valerie M Magalong
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program; Center for Neuroscience Program and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Peter D Balsam
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA,Psychology Departments, Barnard College and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carlos Blanco
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA,Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St., P.I. Annex 731, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 87, New York, NY 10032, USA, Tel: 212 646 774 7104, Fax: 212 646 774 7102, E-mail: or
| | - René Hen
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St., P.I. Annex 731, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 87, New York, NY 10032, USA, Tel: 212 646 774 7104, Fax: 212 646 774 7102, E-mail: or
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40
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Ellis H, Mulder C, Valverde E, Poling A, Edwards T. Reproducibility of African giant pouched rats detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:298. [PMID: 28438117 PMCID: PMC5402322 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background African pouched rats sniffing sputum samples provided by local clinics have significantly increased tuberculosis case findings in Tanzania and Mozambique. The objective of this study was to determine the reproducibility of rat results. Methods Over an 18-month period 11,869 samples were examined by the rats. Intra-rater reliability was assessed through Yule’s Q. Inter-rater reliability was assessed with Krippendorff’s alpha. Results Intra-rater reliability was high, with a mean Yule’s Q of 0.9. Inter-rater agreement was fair, with Krippendorf’s alpha ranging from 0.15 to 0.45. Both Intra- and Inter-rater reliability was independent of the sex of the animals, but they were positively correlated with age. Both intra- and inter-rater agreement was lowest for samples designated as smear-negative by the clinics. Conclusion Overall, the reproducibility of tuberculosis detection rat results was fair and diagnostic results were therefore independent of the rats used. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2347-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haylee Ellis
- Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling - APOPO, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. .,Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand.
| | - Christiaan Mulder
- Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling - APOPO, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emilio Valverde
- Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling - APOPO, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, USA
| | - Alan Poling
- Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling - APOPO, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.,Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008-5200, USA
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Ririe DG, Boada MD, Schmidt BS, Martin SJ, Kim SA, Martin TJ. Audiovisual Distraction Increases Prefrontal Cortical Neuronal Activity and Impairs Attentional Performance in the Rat. J Exp Neurosci 2017; 11:1179069517703080. [PMID: 28469479 PMCID: PMC5398228 DOI: 10.1177/1179069517703080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Involvement of attentional processes is generally evidenced by disruption of behavior in the presence of distracting stimuli. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) seems to play a role in fine-tuning activity during attentional tasks. A novel titration variant of the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-choice serial reaction time titration variant [5CTV]) that adjusts task difficulty based on subject performance was used to evaluate the effects of audiovisual distraction (DSTR) on performance and mPFC single spike activity and local field potential (LFP). Attention was impaired in the 5CTV from DSTR, and mPFC spike activity was increased, whereas LFP was reduced. The increased spike activity in the mPFC in conjunction with DSTR suggests that conflicting attentional demands may contribute to the reduced task performance. As both hypo- and hyperactivation of the mPFC may contribute to attentional disruption, further studies using the 5CTV are needed to understand mPFC activity changes in real time during disruption of performance by other types of behavioral or neurobiological manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas G Ririe
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - M Danilo Boada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin S Schmidt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Salem J Martin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Susy A Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Thomas J Martin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Colomina MT, Peris-Sampedro F. Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 18:183-197. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60189-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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43
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Swalve N, Smethells JR, Carroll ME. Progesterone attenuates impulsive action in a Go/No-Go task for sucrose pellets in female and male rats. Horm Behav 2016; 85:43-47. [PMID: 27497836 PMCID: PMC5026953 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Impulsivity, or a tendency to act without anticipation of future consequences, is associated with drug abuse. Impulsivity is typically separated into two main measures, impulsive action and impulsive choice. Given the association of impulsivity and drug abuse, treatments that reduce impulsivity have been proposed as an effective method for countering drug addiction. Progesterone has emerged as a promising treatment, as it is associated with decreased addiction-related behaviors and impulsive action. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of progesterone (PRO) on impulsive action for food: a Go/No-Go task. Female and male rats responded for sucrose pellets during a Go component when lever pressing was reinforced on a variable-interval 30-s schedule. During the alternate No-Go component, withholding a lever press was reinforced on a differential reinforcement of other (DRO) behavior 30-s schedule, where a lever press reset the DRO timer. Impulsive action was operationally defined as the inability to withhold a response during the No-Go component (i.e. the number of DRO resets). Once Go/No-Go behavior was stable, responding between rats treated with PRO (0.5mg/kg) or vehicle was examined. Progesterone significantly decreased the total number of DRO resets in both males and females, but it did not affect VI responding for sucrose pellets. This suggests that PRO decreases motor impulsivity for sucrose pellets without affecting motivation for food. Thus, PRO may reduce motor impulsivity, a behavior underlying drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natashia Swalve
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - John R Smethells
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marilyn E Carroll
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Carroll ME, Smethells JR. Sex Differences in Behavioral Dyscontrol: Role in Drug Addiction and Novel Treatments. Front Psychiatry 2016; 6:175. [PMID: 26903885 PMCID: PMC4745113 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to discuss recent findings related to sex differences in behavioral dyscontrol that lead to drug addiction, and clinical implications for humans are discussed. This review includes research conducted in animals and humans that reveals fundamental aspects of behavioral dyscontrol. The importance of sex differences in aspects of behavioral dyscontrol, such as impulsivity and compulsivity, is discussed as major determinants of drug addiction. Behavioral dyscontrol during adolescence is also an important consideration, as this is the time of onset for drug addiction. These vulnerability factors additively increase drug-abuse vulnerability, and they are integral aspects of addiction that covary and interact with sex differences. Sex differences in treatments for drug addiction are also reviewed in terms of their ability to modify the behavioral dyscontrol that underlies addictive behavior. Customized treatments to reduce behavioral dyscontrol are discussed, such as (1) using natural consequences such as non-drug rewards (e.g., exercise) to maintain abstinence, or using punishment as a consequence for drug use, (2) targeting factors that underlie behavioral dyscontrol, such as impulsivity or anxiety, by repurposing medications to relieve these underlying conditions, and (3) combining two or more novel behavioral or pharmacological treatments to produce additive reductions in drug seeking. Recent published work has indicated that factors contributing to behavioral dyscontrol are an important target for advancing our knowledge on the etiology of drug abuse, intervening with the drug addiction process and developing novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John R. Smethells
- Program in PharmacoNeuroImmunology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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45
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Alimohammadi I, Zokaei M, Sandrock S. The Effect of Road Traffic Noise on Reaction Time. Health Promot Perspect 2015; 5:207-14. [PMID: 26634199 PMCID: PMC4667263 DOI: 10.15171/hpp.2015.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traffic noise is one of the main important sources in urban noise pollution, which causes various physiological and psychological effects that can cause disturbs in performance, sleep disturbances, hearing loss and impact on job performance. This study was conducted to verify the impact of road traffic noise on reaction time in terms of extraversion and sex. METHODS Traffic noise was measured and recorded in 10 arterial streets in Tehran, and then the recorded noise was emitted towards participants in an acoustic room. The participants were 80 (40 cases and 40 controls) students. Personality type was determined by Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) questioner. Reaction time before and after exposure to traffic noise was measured. RESULTS Reaction time before exposure to traffic noise did not differ (P=0.437) significantly between introverts and extraverts. However, it was increased significantly in both groups after exposure to traffic noise (P<0.01). Introvert's reaction time was more increased than that of extraverts. CONCLUSION Traffic noise augmented reaction time of both males and females. This study also revealed that exposure to traffic noise leads to increase in reaction time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraj Alimohammadi
- Occupational Health Engineering Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Zokaei
- Occupational Health Engineering Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Stephan Sandrock
- Institute for Applied Ergonomics and Industrial Engineering, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Bayless DW, Daniel JM. Sex differences in myelin-associated protein levels within and density of projections between the orbital frontal cortex and dorsal striatum of adult rats: implications for inhibitory control. Neuroscience 2015; 300:286-96. [PMID: 26002313 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Impulsive actions and decisions often lead to undesirable outcomes. Lesion and neuroimaging studies have revealed that the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) and dorsal striatum (dSTR) play key roles in inhibitory control. It has been proposed that greater OFC input into the dSTR reflects enhanced top-down cognitive control and less impulsive responding. We previously reported a sex difference in inhibitory control, such that female rats make fewer impulsive errors than do male rats. The goal of the present study was to investigate differences in the OFC and dSTR of young adult male and female rats. In Experiment 1, we measured levels of two myelin-associated proteins, myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), in the OFC and dSTR. Western blot data revealed that females had significantly higher levels of both MBP and PLP in the OFC but similar levels in the dSTR as compared to males. In Experiment 2, we infused the anterograde tracer, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA), into the OFC and measured the density of BDA in the dSTR. BDA was visualized using histochemistry followed by light microscopy imaging and densitometry analysis. Density of BDA in the dSTR was significantly greater in females as compared to males indicating that the projections from the OFC to dSTR may be greater in females as compared to males. Our results suggest a potential neuroanatomical sex difference that may contribute to the reported differences in inhibitory control levels of male and female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Bayless
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
| | - J M Daniel
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
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Bayless DW, Perez MC, Daniel JM. Comparison of the validity of the use of the spontaneously hypertensive rat as a model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in males and females. Behav Brain Res 2015; 286:85-92. [PMID: 25724583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is a commonly used and well-studied rodent model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sex differences in the cognitive symptoms of ADHD are reported. However, the female SHR rat is much less studied than its male counterpart. The goal of the current study was to assess the validity of the SHR rodent model of ADHD by examining attentional performance, inhibitory control, and hyperactivity in both male and female SHR rats. Adult SHR and control Wistar-Kyoto rats were trained on the 5-choice serial reaction time task, a self-paced test of attention and inhibitory control. This task requires animals to identify the location of a brief light stimulus among five possible locations under several challenging conditions. Analyses of percent correct revealed that attentional performance in SHR females was not significantly different from control females, whereas attentional performance in SHR males was significantly different from control males. Analyses of the number of premature responses revealed that SHR rats made more inhibitory control errors than did control rats and that this decrease in inhibitory control was present in both SHR males and females. Analyses of activity in the open field revealed that SHR rats were more hyperactive than were control rats and that this increased hyperactivity was present in both SHR males and females. The current findings have implications for the study of sex differences in ADHD and for the use of SHR rats as a model of ADHD in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Bayless
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
| | - Maria C Perez
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
| | - Jill M Daniel
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
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Weafer J, de Wit H. Sex differences in impulsive action and impulsive choice. Addict Behav 2014; 39:1573-1579. [PMID: 24286704 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Here, we review the evidence for sex differences in behavioral measures of impulsivity for both humans and laboratory animals. We focus on two specific components of impulsivity: impulsive action (i.e., difficulty inhibiting a prepotent response) and impulsive choice (i.e., difficulty delaying gratification). Sex differences appear to exist on these measures, but the direction and magnitude of the differences vary. In laboratory animals, impulsive action is typically greater in males than females, whereas impulsive choice is typically greater in females. In humans, women discount more steeply than men, but sex differences on measures of impulsive action depend on tasks and subject samples. We discuss implications of these findings as they relate to drug addiction. We also point out the major gaps in this research to date, including the lack of studies designed specifically to examine sex differences in behavioral impulsivity, and the lack of consideration of menstrual or estrous phase or sex hormone levels in the studies.
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Pitchers KK, Flagel SB, O'Donnell EG, Woods LCS, Sarter M, Robinson TE. Individual variation in the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue: influence of sex. Behav Brain Res 2014; 278:462-9. [PMID: 25446811 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There is considerable individual variation in the propensity of animals to attribute incentive salience to discrete reward cues, but to date most of this research has been conducted in male rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex influences the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue, using rats from two different outbred strains (Sprague-Dawley [SD] and Heterogeneous Stock [HS]). The motivational value of a food cue was assessed in two ways: (i) by the ability of the cue to elicit approach toward it and (ii) by its ability to act as a conditioned reinforcer. We found that female SD rats acquired Pavlovian conditioned approach behavior slightly faster than males, but no sex difference was detected in HS rats, and neither strain showed a sex difference in asymptotic performance of approach behavior. Moreover, female approach behavior did not differ across estrous cycle. Compared to males, females made more active responses during the test for conditioned reinforcement, although they made more inactive responses as well. We conclude that although there are small sex differences in performance on these tasks, these are probably not due to a notable sex difference in the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle K Pitchers
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shelly B Flagel
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Leah C Solberg Woods
- Department of Pediatrics, Human and Molecular Genetics Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Martin Sarter
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Terry E Robinson
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Eubig PA, Noe TE, Floresco SB, Sable JJ, Schantz SL. Sex differences in response to amphetamine in adult Long-Evans rats performing a delay-discounting task. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 118:1-9. [PMID: 24388843 PMCID: PMC3934103 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The use of animal models to investigate experimental questions about impulsive behavior can provide valuable insight into problems that affect human health. The delay-discounting paradigm involves subjects choosing between smaller reinforcers delivered immediately and larger reinforcers that are delivered after a delay. This is an important experimental paradigm for examining impulsive choice in both laboratory species and humans. However, a shortcoming of previously published delay-discounting studies in animals is that typically only males were studied, reducing the applicability of these studies to human populations. In the present study, both female and male adult Long-Evans rats were trained to perform a delay-discounting task, with delays of 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 s before delivery of the larger reinforcer. Because dopaminergic signaling is important in mediating this task, the effects of d-amphetamine and the dopamine receptor antagonist, cis-flupenthixol, on task performance were then examined. The main experimental measure was percent larger-reinforcer choice, which was defined as the percentage of experimental trials at each delay in which the delayed, larger reinforcer was chosen. There was no sex difference in percent larger-reinforcer choice during baseline performance of the task. However, d-amphetamine administration disrupted choice in females, as evidenced by <80% larger-reinforcer choice in half of the females, but none of the males, at 0.5 mg/kg. D-Amphetamine also differentially altered the latency to choose between immediate versus delayed reinforcers in females compared to males. In contrast, cis-flupenthixol did not have a sex-related effect on percent larger-reinforcer choice. These findings parallel the sex differences in response to amphetamine seen in human delay-discounting studies and underscore the importance of evaluating sex-based differences in baseline performance and in response to pharmacologic agents when utilizing animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Eubig
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Terese E Noe
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J Sable
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
| | - Susan L Schantz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
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