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Neuwirth LS, Verrengia MT, Harikinish-Murrary ZI, Orens JE, Lopez OE. Under or Absent Reporting of Light Stimuli in Testing of Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents: The Need for Standardization. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:912146. [PMID: 36061362 PMCID: PMC9428565 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.912146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience tests such as the Light/Dark Test, the Open Field Test, the Elevated Plus Maze Test, and the Three Chamber Social Interaction Test have become both essential and widely used behavioral tests for transgenic and pre-clinical models for drug screening and testing. However, as fast as the field has evolved and the contemporaneous involvement of technology, little assessment of the literature has been done to ensure that these behavioral neuroscience tests that are crucial to pre-clinical testing have well-controlled ethological motivation by the use of lighting (i.e., Lux). In the present review paper, N = 420 manuscripts were examined from 2015 to 2019 as a sample set (i.e., n = ~20–22 publications per year) and it was found that only a meager n = 50 publications (i.e., 11.9% of the publications sampled) met the criteria for proper anxiogenic and anxiolytic Lux reported. These findings illustrate a serious concern that behavioral neuroscience papers are not being vetted properly at the journal review level and are being released into the literature and public domain making it difficult to assess the quality of the science being reported. This creates a real need for standardizing the use of Lux in all publications on behavioral neuroscience techniques within the field to ensure that contributions are meaningful, avoid unnecessary duplication, and ultimately would serve to create a more efficient process within the pre-clinical screening/testing for drugs that serve as anxiolytic compounds that would prove more useful than what prior decades of work have produced. It is suggested that improving the standardization of the use and reporting of Lux in behavioral neuroscience tests and the standardization of peer-review processes overseeing the proper documentation of these methodological approaches in manuscripts could serve to advance pre-clinical testing for effective anxiolytic drugs. This report serves to highlight this concern and proposes strategies to proactively remedy them as the field moves forward for decades to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S. Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Lorenz S. Neuwirth
| | - Michael T. Verrengia
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Zachary I. Harikinish-Murrary
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Jessica E. Orens
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Oscar E. Lopez
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
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Zhu D, Sun M, Liu Q, Yue Y, Lu J, Lin X, Shi J. Angiotensin (1-7) through modulation of the NMDAR-nNOS-NO pathway and serotonergic metabolism exerts an anxiolytic-like effect in rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 390:112671. [PMID: 32437889 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Although recent studies have shown that angiotensin (1-7) (Ang [1-7]) exerts anti-stress and anxiolytic-like effects, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The ventral hippocampus (VH) is proposed to be a critical brain region for mood and stress management through the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling pathway. However, the role of VH NMDAR signaling in the effects of Ang (1-7) remains unclear. In the present study, Ang (1-7) was injected into the bilateral VH of stressed rats, or in combination with a Fyn kinase inhibitor, NMDAR antagonist, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor, or nitric oxide (NO) scavenger. Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the open field test and elevated plus maze test, while alterations in NMDAR-nNOS-NO signaling and serotonergic metabolism were examined in the VH. After 21 days of chronic restraint stress, anxiety-like behaviors were evident. Levels of phosphorylated NR2B (a key NMDAR subunit), its upstream kinase Fyn, as well as activity of nNOS and monoamine oxidase (MAO) were markedly reduced. In contrast, levels of serotonin were increased. Bilateral VH infusion of Ang (1-7) recovered NMDAR-nNOS-NO signaling and MAO-mediated serotonin metabolism, as well as reducing anxiety-like behaviors in stressed rats. These effects were diminished by blockade of MasR (Ang [1-7]-specific receptor), Fyn kinase, NMDAR, nNOS, or NO production. Altogether, these findings indicate that Ang (1-7) exerts anxiolytic effects through modulation of the NMDAR-nNOS-NO pathway and serotonergic metabolism. Future translational research should focus on the relationship between Ang (1-7), glutamatergic neurotransmission, and serotonergic neurotransmission in the VH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglin Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Ming Sun
- Emergency Department, The Affiliated Suqian Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, PR China
| | - Qinqin Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suqian Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, PR China
| | - Yu Yue
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Xingjian Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jingping Shi
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
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Hippocampal oscillatory dynamics and sleep atonia are altered in an animal model of fibromyalgia: Implications in the search for biomarkers. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:1367-1391. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Ou C, Dringenberg HC, Soutar CN. Is hippocampal theta frequency related to individual and sex differences in anxiety-like behaviour? An analysis in male and female Long-Evans rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:366-373. [PMID: 30753872 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal theta activity is a prominent slow (4-12 Hz) oscillatory activity pattern generated in the mammalian hippocampal formation. Based on evidence that anxiolytic drugs consistently decrease the frequency of hippocampal theta activity in rodents, hippocampal theta has been linked to anxiety states, leading to the influential theta suppression model of anxiolysis. Surprisingly, very few studies have examined whether hippocampal theta frequency relates to individual or sex differences in anxiety-like behaviour. Here, male and female rats were tested on the elevated plus maze (EPM) to quantify levels of defensive, anxiety-like behaviours. Females exhibited higher levels of open arm exploration (open arm entries and open arm time) compared to males, suggestive of reduced anxiety in females. Subsequently, reticular-elicited hippocampal theta activity was characterized in the same rats under deep urethane anesthesia. There was no sex difference in theta frequency over a range of stimulation intensities. Further, there were no significant correlations between behavioural measures of anxiety in the EPM and theta frequency among individual animals. Theta frequency did, however, decrease following systemic administration of the clinically-used anxiolytic agent buspirone (10 mg/kg). Together, these results suggest that theta frequency does not relate to levels of anxiety-like behaviours in the EPM in male and female rats, challenging the predictive validity of hippocampal theta activity as an index of anxiety in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Ou
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Hans C Dringenberg
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Chloe N Soutar
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Winne J, Franzon R, de Miranda A, Malfatti T, Patriota J, Mikulovic S, Leão KE, Leão RN. Salicylate induces anxiety-like behavior and slow theta oscillation and abolishes the relationship between running speed and fast theta oscillation frequency. Hippocampus 2018; 29:15-25. [PMID: 30152905 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Salicylate intoxication is a cause of tinnitus in humans and it is often used to produce tinnitus-like perception in animal models. Here, we assess whether salicylate induces anxiety-like electrophysiological and behavioral signs. Using microwire electrode arrays, we recorded local field potential in the ventral and, in some experiments dorsal hippocampus, in an open field arena 1 hr after salicylate (300 mg/kg) injection. We found that animals treated with salicylate moved dramatically less than saline treated animals. Salicylate-treated animals showed a strong 4-6 Hz (type 2) oscillation in the ventral hippocampus (with smaller peaks in dorsal hippocampus electrodes). Coherence in the 4-6 Hz-theta band was low in the ventral and dorsal hippocampus when compared to movement-related theta coherence (7-10 Hz). Moreover, movement related theta oscillation frequency decreased and its dependency on running speed was abolished. Our results suggest that salicylate-induced theta is mostly restricted to the ventral hippocampus. Slow theta has been classically associated to anxiety-like behaviors. Here, we show that salicylate application can consistently generate low frequency theta in the ventral hippocampus. Tinnitus and anxiety show strong comorbidity and the increase in ventral hippocampus low frequency theta could be part of this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Winne
- Neurodynamics Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Rafael Franzon
- Neurodynamics Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Aron de Miranda
- Neurodynamics Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Thawann Malfatti
- Neurodynamics Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - João Patriota
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Sanja Mikulovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Katarina E Leão
- Neurodynamics Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Richardson N Leão
- Neurodynamics Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Effects of Intrahippocampal Injections of Melipramin on EEG, Brain Self-Stimulation, and Behavioral Indices of Rats under Conditions of Neurogenic Stress. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-018-9713-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Pértile RAN, Corvino ME, Marchette RCN, Pavesi E, Cavalli J, Ramos A, Izídio GS. The Quinpirole Hypolocomotive Effects are Strain and Route of Administration Dependent in SHR and SLA16 Isogenic Rats. Behav Genet 2017; 47:552-563. [PMID: 28822047 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9865-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The SHR and SLA16 inbred strains present behavioral differences in anxiety/emotionality that could be under the influence of dopaminergic neurotransmission. In order to investigate the role of D2 receptors in modulating such differences, an agonist (quinpirole) and an antagonist (haloperidol) of this receptor were administered, either via systemic injection (IP), or microinjected into the ventral area of the hippocampus (vHIP). Quinpirole and haloperidol IP decreased locomotor activity, only in SLA16 rats in the open-field (OF), and in both strains in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Quinpirole also increased the preference for the aversive areas of the EPM. Quinpirole vHIP decreased locomotor activity in both strains. Haloperidol vHIP did not elicit behavioural changes and no differences in the levels of D2 receptors and of dopamine transporter in the hippocampus were found. Results indicate that systemic activation/blocking of D2 receptors caused a strain-dependent hypolocomotion, whereas activation of D2 receptors in the vHIP, but not D2 receptor antagonism, regardless of dose, decreased general locomotor activity in the two strains. Therefore, we suggest that genomic differences in the chromosome 4 can influence the locomotor activity regulated by the D2 dopaminergic receptor, especially in the vHIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A N Pértile
- Laboratory of Behavior Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - M E Corvino
- Laboratory of Behavior Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - R C N Marchette
- Laboratory of Behavior Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - E Pavesi
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - J Cavalli
- Laboratory of Behavior Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - A Ramos
- Laboratory of Behavior Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - G S Izídio
- Laboratory of Behavior Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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