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Shi M, Rupia EJ, Jiang P, Lu W. Switch from fight-flight to freeze-hide: The impacts of severe stress and brain serotonin on behavioral adaptations in flatfish. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2024; 50:891-909. [PMID: 38308734 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-024-01298-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Animals often experience changes in their environment that can be perceived as stressful. Previous evidence indicates that different individuals may have distinct stress responses. The role of serotonin (5-HT) in stress adaptation is well established, but its relationship with different defense strategies and the persistence of physiological and behavioral responses in different individuals during repeated acute stress remain unclear. In this study, using olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) as a model, we analyzed the relationship between boldness and neurotransmitter 5-HT activity. We found that 5-HT suppression with 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) and 5-HT receptor subtype 1A (5-HT1A) antagonist WAY-100635 increased their oxygen consumption rates and the boldness of shy individuals. We determined the metabolic and behavioral changes in bold and shy individuals to repeated acute stress. The results suggest that bold individuals switch on passive "energy-saving" personality by changing their defense behavior from "fight-flight" to "freeze-hide" during a threat encounter, which manifests high behavioral plasticity. Both behavioral types decreased their spontaneous activity levels, which were also strengthened by limiting metabolic rate. Interestingly, treatment with pCPA and WAY-100635 before stress procedure attenuated stress and increased the boldness across diverse behavioral types. This study provides the initial empirical evidence of how perception of stress impacts both individual defense behavior and personality in this species. These findings can enhance our comprehension of individual variability and behavioral plasticity in animals, thereby improving our ability to develop effective adaptive management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Shi
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Emmanuel J Rupia
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China
- School of Biological Science, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Pengxin Jiang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Weiqun Lu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China.
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China.
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2
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Hosgorler F, Akkaya EC, Ilgin R, Koc B, Kizildag S, Gumus H, Uysal N. The ameliorative effect of midazolam on empathy-like behavior in old rats. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:3183-3193. [PMID: 37209151 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02526-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Although studies suggest that cognitive functions in the elderly are impaired, elderly people tend to be more successful and wiser in solving emotional problems. In empathy-like behavior models, the observer rat rescues the distressed cage mate by displaying emotional and cognitive ability. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in empathy-like behavior in older rats in comparison to adult rats. In addition, we wanted to determine the effects of alterations in neurochemicals (such as corticosterone, oxytocin, vasopressin, and their receptor levels) and emotional situations on this behavior. In our study, we initially completed empathy-like behavior tests and emotional tests (open field, elevated plus maze) and performed neurochemical examinations in the serum and brain tissues. In the second step of research, we applied a midazolam (benzodiazepine) treatment to examine the effect of anxiety on empathy-like behavior. In the old rats, we observed that empathy-like behavior deteriorated, and anxiety signs were more pronounced. We detected a positive correlation between the latency in empathy-like behavior and corticosterone levels and v1b receptor levels. The midazolam effect on empathy-like behavior was attenuated by flumazenil (a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist). The recordings of ultrasonic vocalization showed frequencies around 50 kHz emitted by the observer and this was associated with the expectation of social contact. Our results state that compared to adult rats, old rats were more concerned and failed during empathy-like behavior. Midazolam may improve this behavior by anxiolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferda Hosgorler
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Erhan Caner Akkaya
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Rabia Ilgin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Basar Koc
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Servet Kizildag
- College of Vocational School of Health Services, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hikmet Gumus
- School of Sport Sciences and Technology, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nazan Uysal
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey
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Wei MD, Huang YY, Zeng Y, Lan YX, Lu K, Wang Y, Chen WY. Homocysteine Modulates Social Isolation-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors Through BDNF in Aged Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:4924-4934. [PMID: 37198386 PMCID: PMC10191402 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03377-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation is an unpleasant experience associated with an increased risk of mental disorders. Exploring whether these experiences affect behaviors in aged people is particularly important, as the elderly is very likely to suffer from periods of social isolation during their late-life. In this study, we analyzed the depressive-like behaviors, plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels in aged mice undergoing social isolation. Results showed that depressive-like behavioral performance and decreased BDNF level were correlated with increased Hcy levels that were detected in 2-month isolated mice. Elevated Hcy induced by high methionine diet mimicked the depressive-like behaviors and BDNF downregulation in the same manner as social isolation, while administration of vitamin B complex supplements to reduce Hcy alleviated the depressive-like behaviors and BDNF reduction in socially isolated mice. Altogether, our results indicated that Hcy played a critical role in social isolation-induced depressive-like behaviors and BDNF reduction, suggesting the possibility of Hcy as a potential therapeutic target and vitamin B intake as a potential value in the prevention of stress-induced depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Dan Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ya-Yan Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Xian Lan
- Department of Pharmacy, Minzu Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530001, Guangxi, China
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Ying Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China
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4
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The lifetime impact of stress on fear regulation and cortical function. Neuropharmacology 2023; 224:109367. [PMID: 36464208 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
A variety of stressful experiences can influence the ability to form and subsequently inhibit fear memory. While nonsocial stress can impact fear learning and memory throughout the lifespan, psychosocial stressors that involve negative social experiences or changes to the social environment have a disproportionately high impact during adolescence. Here, we review converging lines of evidence that suggest that development of prefrontal cortical circuitry necessary for both social experiences and fear learning is altered by stress exposure in a way that impacts both social and fear behaviors throughout the lifespan. Further, we suggest that psychosocial stress, through its impact on the prefrontal cortex, may be especially detrimental during early developmental periods characterized by higher sociability. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Fear, Anxiety and PTSD'.
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Male and female mice display consistent lifelong ability to address potential life-threatening cues using different post-threat coping strategies. BMC Biol 2022; 20:281. [PMID: 36522765 PMCID: PMC9753375 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01486-x] [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: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences ranging from physiological functions to pathological disorders are developmentally hard-wired in a broad range of animals, from invertebrates to humans. These differences ensure that animals can display appropriate behaviors under a variety of circumstances, such as aggression, hunting, sleep, mating, and parental care, which are often thought to be important in the acquisition of resources, including territory, food, and mates. Although there are reports of an absence of sexual dimorphism in the context of innate fear, the question of whether there is sexual dimorphism of innate defensive behavior is still an open question. Therefore, an in-depth investigation to determine whether there are sex differences in developmentally hard-wired innate defensive behaviors in life-threatening circumstances is warranted. RESULTS We found that innate defensive behavioral responses to potentially life-threatening stimuli between males and females were indistinguishable over their lifespan. However, by using 3 dimensional (3D)-motion learning framework analysis, we found that males and females showed different behavioral patterns after escaping to the refuge. Specifically, the defensive "freezing" occurred primarily in males, whereas females were more likely to return directly to exploration. Moreover, there were also no estrous phase differences in innate defensive behavioral responses after looming stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that visually-evoked innate fear behavior is highly conserved throughout the lifespan in both males and females, while specific post-threat coping strategies depend on sex. These findings indicate that innate fear behavior is essential to both sexes and as such, there are no evolutionary-driven sex differences in defensive ability.
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Sakamoto SH, Nishijima K, Ohno T, Tanaka S. Effects of aging and delivery order on the breeding capacity of F344/N rats. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:960-963. [PMID: 35584944 PMCID: PMC9353086 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive performance affects the efficiency of the production of animals. Therefore, knowing the reproductive properties of each species or strain of animal is important for proper management of breeding stocks. To elucidate the reproductive properties of female F344/N rats, frequently used for longevity and gerontology research, we monitored the breeding duration, number of deliveries, litter size and weaning rate of their pups. The first delivery was observed at 2.9 ± 0.1 (mean ± standard deviation) months of age (M) and the last delivery was at 15.1 ± 1.8 M. The number of deliveries was 10.4 ± 2.8 (range of 7-16) within the life span of the mother (24.7 ± 5.6 M). The litter sizes at the third (10.0 ± 3.0) or fourth (10.3 ± 2.7) deliveries were higher than for other deliveries. The breeding outcome declined after the fifth delivery yielding reduced litter size or weaning rate, number of delivered mother. These results suggests that though female F344/N rats are able to deliver more than 10 times, the reproductive performance lowered after fifth delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kazutoshi Nishijima
- Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study, National Institutes of Natural Sciences.,Department of Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences.,Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)
| | - Tamio Ohno
- Division of Experimental Animals, Center for Promotion of Medical Research and Education, Graduate School of Nagoya University
| | - Shin Tanaka
- Formerly Animal Facility for Aging Research, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG)
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Alghamdi BS. The Effect of Melatonin and Exercise on Social Isolation-Related Behavioral Changes in Aged Rats. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:828965. [PMID: 35211007 PMCID: PMC8861461 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.828965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social isolation (SI) is well established as an environmental factor that negatively influences different behavioral parameters, including cognitive function, anxiety, and social interaction, depending on the age of isolation. Aging is a physiological process that is associated with changes in cognitive function, locomotor activity, anxiety and emotional responses. Few studies have investigated the effect of SI in senescence, or possible interventions. In the current study, we investigated the possible complementary effects of melatonin (MLT) and exercise (Ex) in improving SI-related behavioral changes in aged rats. Forty aged Wistar rats (24 months old) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8 per group): Control (group housing), SI (individual housing for 7 weeks), SI + MLT (SI rats treated with 0.4 mg MLT/ml in drinking water), SI + Ex (SI rats treated with 60 min of swimming), and SI + MLT + Ex (SI rats treated with both MLT and Ex). Different behavioral tasks were conducted in the following sequence: open field test, elevated plus maze test, sucrose preference test, Y maze test, and Morris water maze test. Locomotor activities measured by total distance moved and velocity revealed that SI + Ex (P = 0.0038; P = 0.0015) and SI + MLT + Ex (P = 0.0001; P = 0.0003) significantly improved the locomotor activity compared with SI rats but SI + MLT (P = 0.0599; P = 0.0627) rats showed no significant change. Anxiety index score was significantly improved in SI + MLT + Ex (P = 0.0256) compared with SI rats while SI + MLT (P > 0.9999) and SI + Ex (P = 0.2943) rats showed no significant change. Moreover, latency to reach the platform in Morris water maze was significantly reduced at day 5 in SI + MLT + Ex (P = 0.0457) compared with SI rats but no change was detected in SI + MLT (P = 0.7314) or SI + Ex (P = 0.1676) groups. In conclusion, this study supports the possible potential of MLT in combination with Ex in improving physical activity, anxiety, and cognitive functions in aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badrah Saeed Alghamdi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Badrah Saeed Alghamdi, ; orcid.org/0000-0002-9411-3609
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8
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Faraji J, Metz GAS. Aging, Social Distancing, and COVID-19 Risk: Who is more Vulnerable and Why? Aging Dis 2021; 12:1624-1643. [PMID: 34631211 PMCID: PMC8460299 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Perceived social support represents an important predictor of healthy aging. The global COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the face of social relationships and revealed elderly to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of social isolation. Social distancing may represent a double-edged sword for older adults, protecting them against COVID-19 infection while also sacrificing personal interaction and attention at a critical time. Here, we consider the moderating role of social relationships as a potential influence on stress resilience, allostatic load, and vulnerability to infection and adverse health outcomes in the elderly population. Understanding the mechanisms how social support enhances resilience to stress and promotes mental and physical health into old age will enable new preventive strategies. Targeted social interventions may provide effective relief from the impact of COVID-19-related isolation and loneliness. In this regard, a pandemic may also offer a window of opportunity for raising awareness and mobilizing resources for new strategies that help build resilience in our aging population and future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Faraji
- 1Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.,2Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- 1Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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9
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Sullens DG, Gilley K, Jensen K, Vichaya E, Dolan SL, Sekeres MJ. Social isolation induces hyperactivity and exploration in aged female mice. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245355. [PMID: 33534853 PMCID: PMC7857591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged social isolation is associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes, findings observed in both humans, and rodent models of isolation. Humans, like mice, may engage in enhanced exploratory and social behaviour following isolation, which may protect against subsequent cognitive decline and psychological distress. Understanding how these effects may impact behaviour in older adults is particularly relevant, as this population is likely to experience periods of late-life social isolation. We report that late-life social isolation in female mice did not lead to robust depressive-like symptomology, altered social interaction behaviour, sensitivity to context fear acquisition and memory, or alterations in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, Tnf-α) or microglial activation (Itgam) within the hippocampus. Rather, isolation increased hyperactivity and exploration behaviours. These findings have translational value as the first female mouse model of late-life social isolation, and provide evidence to inform the development of interventions aimed at promoting functional recovery following isolation in late-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Gregory Sullens
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kayla Gilley
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kendall Jensen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Elisabeth Vichaya
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sara L. Dolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Melanie J. Sekeres
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Seyedaghamiri F, Farajdokht F, Vatandoust SM, Mahmoudi J, Khabbaz A, Sadigh-Eteghad S. Sericin modulates learning and memory behaviors by tuning of antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers in the hippocampus of aged mice. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:1371-1382. [PMID: 33523373 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06195-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sericin is a protein derived from silkworm cocoons and identified as an anti-aging agent. This study aimed to examine the effects of sericin administration on episodic and avoidance memories, social interaction behavior, and molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the hippocampus of aged mice. Sericin was administered at 250 mg/kg/day (oral gavage) to 2-year-old BALB/c mice for a duration of 21 consecutive days. Lashley III Maze and Shuttle-Box tests were performed to assess episodic and avoidance memories, respectively. Subjects also underwent social interaction test to reveal any changes in their social behavior. Besides, markers of oxidative stress (TAC, SOD, GPx, and MDA) and neuroinflammation mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10) were measured in the hippocampus. The extent of apoptosis in the hippocampal tissue was further determined by TUNEL assay and histological assessment. The obtained results suggest that sericin promotes episodic and avoidance memories and social behaviors in aged mice. As of the molecular assay outcomes, it was noted that sericin regulates hippocampal inflammation by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, and by increasing the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. Moreover, sericin suppressed oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant markers (TAC, SOD, and GPx) and inhibiting MDA. It was also identified that sericin can substantially suppress the apoptosis in the hippocampal tissue. Overall, sericin modulates memory and sociability behavior by tuning hippocampal antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers in the aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fereshteh Farajdokht
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Vatandoust
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javad Mahmoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aytak Khabbaz
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran.
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11
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Donovan M, Mackey CS, Platt GN, Rounds J, Brown AN, Trickey DJ, Liu Y, Jones KM, Wang Z. Social isolation alters behavior, the gut-immune-brain axis, and neurochemical circuits in male and female prairie voles. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100278. [PMID: 33344730 PMCID: PMC7739176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The absence of social support, or social isolation, can be stressful, leading to a suite of physical and psychological health issues. Growing evidence suggests that disruption of the gut-immune-brain axis plays a crucial role in the negative outcomes seen from social isolation stress. However, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) has been validated as a useful model for studying negative effects of social isolation on the brain and behaviors, yet how the gut microbiome and central immune system are altered in isolated prairie voles are still unknown. Here, we utilized this social rodent to examine how social isolation stress alters the gut-immune-brain axis and relevant behaviors. Adult male and female prairie voles (n = 48 per sex) experienced social isolation or were cohoused with a same-sex cagemate (control) for six weeks. Thereafter, their social and anxiety-like behaviors, neuronal circuit activation, neurochemical expression, and microgliosis in key brain regions, as well as gut microbiome alterations from the isolation treatment were examined. Social isolation increased anxiety-like behaviors and impaired social affiliation. Isolation also resulted in sex- and brain region-specific alterations in neuronal activation, neurochemical expression, and microgliosis. Further, social isolation resulted in alterations to the gut microbiome that were correlated with key brain and behavioral measures. Our data suggest that social isolation alters the gut-immune-brain axis in a sex-dependent manner and that gut microbes, central glial cells, and neurochemical systems may play a critical, integrative role in mediating negative outcomes from social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Donovan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N. Wheeling St., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Calvin S. Mackey
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Grayson N. Platt
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Jacob Rounds
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Amber N. Brown
- Department of Biological Science Core Facilities, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Darryl J. Trickey
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Jones
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
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Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency in mice: consequences of postweaning social isolation on behavior and changes in brain neurochemical systems. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:1719-1742. [PMID: 32514634 PMCID: PMC7321906 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Reductions of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and subsequent GABA levels have been consistently observed in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression, but it has remained unclear how GABAergic dysfunction contributes to different symptoms of the diseases. To address this issue, we investigated male mice haplodeficient for GAD67 (GAD67+/GFP mice), which showed a reduced social interaction, social dominance and increased immobility in the forced swim test. No differences were found in rotarod performance and sensorimotor gating. We also addressed potential effects of social deprivation, which is known, during early life, to affect GABAergic function and induces behavioral abnormalities similar to the symptoms found in psychiatric disorders. Indeed, social isolation of GAD67+/GFP mice provoked increased rearing activity in the social interaction test and hyperlocomotion on elevated plus maze. Since GABA closely interacts with the dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems, we investigated GAD67+/GFP and GAD67+/+ mice for morphological markers of the latter systems and found increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR fiber densities in CA1 of dorsal hippocampus. By contrast, no differences in numbers and densities of TH-positive neurons of the midbrain dopamine regions, serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the raphe nuclei, or choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing neurons of basal forebrain and their respective terminal fields were observed. Our results indicate that GAD67 haplodeficiency impairs sociability and increases vulnerability to social stress, provokes depressive-like behavior and alters the catecholaminergic innervation in brain areas associated with schizophrenia. GAD67+/GFP mice may provide a useful model for studying the impact of GABAergic dysfunction as related to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Lamirault C, Nguyen HP, Doyère V, El Massioui N. Age-related alteration of emotional regulation in the BACHD rat model of Huntington disease. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12633. [PMID: 31883197 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder, caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the gene encoding the huntingtin protein. At the premanifest phase, before motor symptoms occur, psychiatric and emotional disorders are observed with high prevalence in HD patients. Agitation, anxiety and irritability are often described but also depression and/or apathy, associated with a lack of emotional control. The aim of the present study was to better circumscribe and understand the emotional symptoms and assess their evolution according to the progression of the disease using a transgenic HD model, BACHD rats, at the age of 4, 12 and 18 months. To achieve this goal, we confronted animals to two types of tests: first, tests assessing anxiety like the light/dark box and the conflict test, which are situations that did not involve an obvious threat and tests assessing the reactivity to a present threat using confrontation with an unknown conspecific (social behavior test) or with an aversive stimulus (fear conditioning test). In all animals, results show an age-dependent anxiety-like behavior, particularly marked in situation requiring passive responses (light/dark box and fear conditioning tests). BACHD rats exhibited a more profound alteration than WT animals in these tests from an early stage of the disease whereas, in tasks requiring some kind of motivation (for food or for social contacts), only old BACHD rats showed high anxiety-like behavior compared to WT, may be partly due to the other symptoms' occurrence at this stage: locomotor difficulties and/or apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lamirault
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Valérie Doyère
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Nicole El Massioui
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Perkins AE, Varlinskaya EI, Deak T. From adolescence to late aging: A comprehensive review of social behavior, alcohol, and neuroinflammation across the lifespan. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 148:231-303. [PMID: 31733665 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The passage of time dictates the pace at which humans and other organisms age but falls short of providing a complete portrait of how environmental, lifestyle and underlying biological processes contribute to senescence. Two fundamental features of the human experience that change dramatically across the lifespan include social interactions and, for many, patterns of alcohol consumption. Rodent models show great utility for understanding complex interactions among aging, social behavior and alcohol use and abuse, yet little is known about the neural changes in late aging that contribute to the natural decline in social behavior. Here, we posit that aging-related neuroinflammation contributes to the insipid loss of social motivation across the lifespan, an effect that is exacerbated by patterns of repeated alcohol consumption observed in many individuals. We provide a comprehensive review of (i) neural substrates crucial for the expression of social behavior under non-pathological conditions; (ii) unique developmental/lifespan vulnerabilities that may contribute to the divergent effects of low-and high-dose alcohol exposure; and (iii) aging-associated changes in neuroinflammation that may sit at the intersection between social processes and alcohol exposure. In doing so, we provide an overview of correspondence between lifespan/developmental periods between common rodent models and humans, give careful consideration to model systems used to aptly probe social behavior, identify points of coherence between human and animal models, and point toward a multitude of unresolved issues that should be addressed in future studies. Together, the combination of low-dose and high-dose alcohol effects serve to disrupt the normal development and maintenance of social relationships, which are critical for both healthy aging and quality of life across the lifespan. Thus, a more complete understanding of neural systems-including neuroinflammatory processes-which contribute to alcohol-induced changes in social behavior will provide novel opportunities and targets for promoting healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Perkins
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Elena I Varlinskaya
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Terrence Deak
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United States.
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Perkins AE, Varlinskaya EI, Deak T. Impact of housing conditions on social behavior, neuroimmune markers, and oxytocin receptor expression in aged male and female Fischer 344 rats. Exp Gerontol 2019; 123:24-33. [PMID: 31100373 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with a substantial decline in social behavior, whereas positive social interaction can improve overall health in aged individuals. In laboratory rodents, manipulations of the social environment across the lifespan have been shown to affect social behavior. Therefore, we examined the effects of long-term (5-6 weeks) housing conditions (alone, with one adult, or with two adults) on social behavior and the expression of neuroinflammation-related genes as well as oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene expression in brain areas associated with social behavior regulation in aged male and female Fischer (F) 344 rats. Single-housed males and females exhibited increased social investigation, relative to pair-housed rats (one aged and one adult). Triple-housed (one aged and two adults) aged males exhibited lower levels of social investigation, relative to triple-housed aged females. Aged females were more socially active that their male counterparts. Although social housing condition significantly affected social behavior in males, it had no impact on cytokine gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) or medial amygdala (MeA). However, in triple-housed aged females, who exhibited social behavior comparable to their single- and pair-housed counterparts, there was a significant increase in the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the MeA. No changes in cytokine gene expression were observed in the PVN or BNST, indicating that the increased expression of cytokines in the MeA was not a result of a generalized increase in neuroinflammation. Single-housed males and females exhibited elevated OXTR gene expression in the BNST. Taken together, these data indicate that manipulations of the social environment in late aging significantly influenced social interactions with a novel partner and gene expression in social behavior circuits and that these effects are sex-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Perkins
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America
| | - Elena I Varlinskaya
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America
| | - Terrence Deak
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America.
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Perkins AE, Vore AS, Lovelock D, Varlinskaya E, Deak T. Late aging alters behavioral sensitivity to ethanol in a sex-specific manner in Fischer 344 rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 175:1-9. [PMID: 30171932 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Responsiveness to ethanol (EtOH) differs as a function of age. Adolescent rodents are less sensitive than adults to the sedative effects of EtOH, whereas they show enhanced sensitivity to EtOH-induced social facilitation. Late aging is associated with a natural decline in social behavior and aging-related peculiarities in sensitivity to EtOH have been largely unexplored. Whether there are sex differences in the behavioral response to EtOH during late aging remains unknown. Thus, behavioral responses to EtOH in male and female Fischer (F) 344 rats aged 4-5 months (adult) and 19-20 months (aging) were examined. First, the effects of saline and EtOH (0.5 and 0.75 g/kg) on social interaction were assessed. Social investigation and contact behavior were lower in aging animals and higher in females. Interestingly, in aged females, social contact behavior was increased following a 0.5 g/kg EtOH dose, whereas the same dose suppressed social contact in aged males. Behavioral sensitivity to the sedative effects of 3.0 and 3.5 g/kg EtOH was assessed with the loss of righting reflex (LORR) test. Although latency to LORR did not differ as a function of age or sex, aged rats showed significantly greater LORR duration and significantly lower blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) at regaining of the righting reflex relative to adults. In addition, females had a lower LORR duration, regardless of age; no sex differences were evident in BECs at awakening. In a second experiment, blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) over time were assessed following 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 g/kg EtOH in 3-, 12-, and 18-month-old male and female F344 rats. Aged rats had higher peak BECs following 3.0 g/kg EtOH, whereas few age or sex differences were apparent at lower doses. Taken together, these data indicate that late aging is associated with altered sensitivity to the social facilitating effects and sedative effects of EtOH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Perkins
- Developmental Exposure to Alcohol Research Center (DEARC), Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America
| | - Andrew S Vore
- Developmental Exposure to Alcohol Research Center (DEARC), Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America
| | - Dennis Lovelock
- Developmental Exposure to Alcohol Research Center (DEARC), Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America
| | - Elena Varlinskaya
- Developmental Exposure to Alcohol Research Center (DEARC), Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America
| | - Terrence Deak
- Developmental Exposure to Alcohol Research Center (DEARC), Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States of America.
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Chan JNM, Lee JCD, Lee SSP, Hui KKY, Chan AHL, Fung TKH, Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Lau BWM, Ngai SPC. Interaction Effect of Social Isolation and High Dose Corticosteroid on Neurogenesis and Emotional Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:18. [PMID: 28270754 PMCID: PMC5318437 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercortisolemia is one of the clinical features found in depressed patients. This clinical feature has been mimicked in animal studies via application of exogenous corticosterone (CORT). Previous studies suggested that CORT can induce behavioral disturbance in anxious-depressive like behavior, which is associated with suppressed neurogenesis. Hippocampal neurogenesis plays an important role in adult cognitive and behavioral regulation. Its suppression may thus lead to neuropsychiatric disorders. Similar to the effects of CORT on the animals’ depression-like behaviors and neurogenesis, social deprivation has been regarded as one factor that predicts poor prognosis in depression. Furthermore, social isolation is regarded as a stressor to social animals including experimental rodents. Hence, this study aims to examine if social isolation would induce further emotional or anxiety-like behavior disturbance and suppress neurogenesis in an experimental model that was repeatedly treated with CORT. Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study to determine the effects of different housing conditions, either social isolated or group housing, in vehicle-treated control and CORT-treated animals. Forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT) and social interaction test (SIT) were used to assess depression-like, anxiety-like and social behaviors respectively. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify the number of proliferative cells and immature neurons in the hippocampus, while dendritic maturation of immature neurons was analyzed by Sholl analysis. Social isolation reduced latency to immobility in FST. Furthermore, social isolation could significantly reduce the ratio of doublecortin and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) positive cells of the neurogenesis assay under CORT-treated condition. The current findings suggested that the behavioral and neurological effect of social isolation is dependent on the condition of hypercortisolemia. Furthermore, social isolation may possibly augment the signs and symptoms of depressed patients with potential alteration in neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie N-M Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jada C-D Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sylvia S P Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Katy K Y Hui
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Alan H L Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Timothy K-H Fung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Dalinda I Sánchez-Vidaña
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Benson W-M Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shirley P-C Ngai
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Social Isolation During Postweaning Development Causes Hypoactivity of Neurons in the Medial Nucleus of the Male Rat Amygdala. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:1929-40. [PMID: 26677945 PMCID: PMC4869062 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Children exposed to neglect or social deprivation are at heightened risk for psychiatric disorders and abnormal social patterns as adults. There is also evidence that prepubertal neglect in children causes abnormal metabolic activity in several brain regions, including the amygdala area. The medial nucleus of the amygdala (MeA) is a key region for performance of social behaviors and still undergoes maturation during the periadolescent period. As such, the normal development of this region may be disrupted by social deprivation. In rodents, postweaning social isolation causes a range of deficits in sexual and agonistic behaviors that normally rely on the posterior MeA (MeAp). However, little is known about the effects of social isolation on the function of MeA neurons. In this study, we tested whether postweaning social isolation caused abnormal activity of MeA neurons. We found that postweaning social isolation caused a decrease of in vivo firing activity of MeAp neurons, and reduced drive from excitatory afferents. In vitro electrophysiological studies found that postweaning social isolation caused a presynaptic impairment of excitatory input to the dorsal MeAp, but a progressive postsynaptic reduction of membrane excitability in the ventral MeAp. These results demonstrate discrete, subnucleus-specific effects of social deprivation on the physiology of MeAp neurons. This pathophysiology may contribute to the disruption of social behavior after developmental social deprivation, and may be a novel target to facilitate the treatment of social disorders.
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Johnson LR. Editorial: How Fear and Stress Shape the Mind. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:24. [PMID: 27013997 PMCID: PMC4782011 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luke R Johnson
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Translational Research Institute, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innervation, Queensland University of TechnologyBrisbane, QLD, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University School of MedicineBethesda, MD, USA
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Age-related changes in behavior in C57BL/6J mice from young adulthood to middle age. Mol Brain 2016; 9:11. [PMID: 26822304 PMCID: PMC4730600 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aging is considered to be associated with progressive changes in the brain and its associated sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. A large number of studies comparing young and aged animals have reported differences in various behaviors between age-cohorts, indicating behavioral dysfunctions related to aging. However, relatively little is known about behavioral changes from young adulthood to middle age, and the effect of age on behavior during the early stages of life remains to be understood. In order to investigate age-related changes in the behaviors of mice from young adulthood to middle age, we performed a large-scale analysis of the behavioral data obtained from our behavioral test battery involving 1739 C57BL/6J wild-type mice at 2–12 months of age. Results Significant behavioral differences between age groups (2–3-, 4–5-, 6–7-, and 8–12-month-old groups) were found in all the behavioral tests, including the light/dark transition, open field, elevated plus maze, rotarod, social interaction, prepulse inhibition, Porsolt forced swim, tail suspension, Barnes maze, and fear conditioning tests, except for the hot plate test. Compared with the 2–3-month-old group, the 4–5- and 6–7-month-old groups exhibited decreased locomotor activity to novel environments, motor function, acoustic startle response, social behavior, and depression-related behavior, increased prepulse inhibition, and deficits in spatial and cued fear memory. For most behaviors, the 8–12-month-old group showed similar but more pronounced changes in most of these behaviors compared with the younger age groups. Older groups exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark transition test whereas those groups showed seemingly decreased anxiety-like behavior measured by the elevated plus maze test. Conclusions The large-scale analysis of behavioral data from our battery of behavioral tests indicated age-related changes in a wide range of behaviors from young adulthood to middle age in C57BL/6J mice, though these results might have been influenced by possible confounding factors such as the time of day at testing and prior test experience. Our results also indicate that relatively narrow age differences can produce significant behavioral differences during adulthood in mice. These findings provide an insight into our understanding of the neurobiological processes underlying brain function and behavior that are subject to age-related changes in early to middle life. The findings also indicate that age is one of the critical factors to be carefully considered when designing behavioral tests and interpreting behavioral differences that might be induced by experimental manipulations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-016-0191-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Perkins AE, Doremus-Fitzwater TL, Spencer RL, Varlinskaya EI, Conti MM, Bishop C, Deak T. A working model for the assessment of disruptions in social behavior among aged rats: The role of sex differences, social recognition, and sensorimotor processes. Exp Gerontol 2016; 76:46-57. [PMID: 26811912 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Aging results in a natural decline in social behavior, yet little is known about the processes underlying these changes. Engaging in positive social interaction is associated with many health benefits, including reduced stress reactivity, and may serve as a potential buffer against adverse consequences of aging. The goal of these studies was to establish a tractable model for the assessment of social behavior deficits associated with late aging. Thus, in Exp. 1, 1.5-, 3-, and 18-month-old male Fischer 344 (F344) rats were assessed for object investigation, and social interaction with a same-aged partner (novel/familiar), or a different-aged partner, thereby establishing working parameters for studies that followed. Results revealed that 18-month-old males exhibited reductions in social investigation and social contact behavior, with this age-related decline not influenced by familiarity or age of the social partner. Subsequently, Exp. 2 extended assessment of social behavior to both male and female F344 rats at multiple ages (3, 9, 18, and 24 months), after which a series of sensorimotor performance tests were conducted. In this study, both males and females exhibited late aging-related reductions in social interactions, but these changes were more pronounced in females. Additionally, sensorimotor performance was shown to be impaired in 24-month-olds, but not 18-month-olds, with this deficit more evident in males. Finally, Exp. 3 examined whether aging-related inflammation could account for declines in social behavior during late aging by administering naproxen (0, 7, 14, and 28 mg/kg; s.c.)-a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-to 18-month-old females. Results from this study revealed that social behavior was unaffected by acute or repeated (6 days) naproxen, suggesting that aging-related social deficits in females may not be a consequence of a general aging-related inflammation and/or malaise. Together, these findings demonstrate that aging-related declines in social behavior are (i) specific to social stimuli and (ii) not indicative of a general state of aging-related debilitation. Thus, these findings establish working parameters for a highly tractable model in which the neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying aging-related declines in social behavior can be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Perkins
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States
| | - Tamara L Doremus-Fitzwater
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States
| | - Robert L Spencer
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, United States
| | - Elena I Varlinskaya
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States
| | - Melissa M Conti
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States
| | - Christopher Bishop
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States
| | - Terrence Deak
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, United States.
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Prenderville JA, Kennedy PJ, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Adding fuel to the fire: the impact of stress on the ageing brain. Trends Neurosci 2015; 38:13-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Zoratto F, Laviola G, Adriani W. Gambling proneness in rats during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood: A home-cage method. Neuropharmacology 2013; 67:444-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 11/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Malatynska E, Steinbusch HW, Redkozubova O, Bolkunov A, Kubatiev A, Yeritsyan NB, Vignisse J, Bachurin S, Strekalova T. Anhedonic-like traits and lack of affective deficits in 18-month-old C57BL/6 mice: Implications for modeling elderly depression. Exp Gerontol 2012; 47:552-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Kemp J, Després O, Sellal F, Dufour A. Theory of Mind in normal ageing and neurodegenerative pathologies. Ageing Res Rev 2012; 11:199-219. [PMID: 22186031 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Revised: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
This paper reviews findings in three subcomponents of social cognition (i.e., Theory of Mind, facial emotion recognition, empathy) during ageing. Changes over time in social cognition were evaluated in normal ageing and in patients with various neurodegenerative pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, frontal and temporal variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Parkinson's disease. Findings suggest a decline in social cognition with normal ageing, a decline that is at least partially independent of a more general cognitive or executive decline. The investigation of neurodegenerative pathologies showing specific deficits in Theory of Mind in relation to damage to specific cerebral regions led us to suggest a neural network involved in Theory of Mind processes, namely a fronto-subcortical loop linking the basal ganglia to the regions of the frontal lobes.
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Hovland AL, Akre AK, Flø A, Bakken M, Koistinen T, Mason GJ. Two's company? Solitary vixens’ motivations for seeking social contact. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
The etiology of new psychotic symptoms in late life, including subtle changes in cognition, is a controversial emerging area of study. The development of psychotic symptoms, particularly paranoia, is a common occurrence in late life, and the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and psychosis are often prominent in dementia, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. This intermixing of symptoms has inescapably led to diagnostic confusion with regard to elderly patients with new-onset psychosis. The complex relationship among different domains of psychopathology makes it difficult to tease apart disorders of affect from psychosis, affect from cognition, and psychosis from cognition. It is therefore potentially useful to modify and expand our approach to how we conceptualize these patients. Emerging evidence suggests that those with dementia, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders suffer from growing cognitive deficits. The article suggests that deficits in social cognition, in particular, may be the unifying deficit that helps to explain why heterogeneous patients may develop paranoia and psychotic symptoms in late life.
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Béracochéa D, Tronche C, Coutan M, Dorey R, Chauveau F, Piérard C. Interaction between Diazepam and Hippocampal Corticosterone after Acute Stress: Impact on Memory in Middle-Aged Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2011; 5:14. [PMID: 21516247 PMCID: PMC3079857 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BDZ) are widely prescribed in the treatment of anxiety disorders associated to aging. Interestingly, whereas a reciprocal interaction between the GABAergic system and HPA axis has been evidenced, there is to our knowledge no direct evaluation of the impact of BDZ on both hippocampus (HPC) corticosterone concentrations and HPC-dependent memory in stressed middle-aged subjects. We showed previously that an acute stress induced in middle-aged mice severe memory impairments in a hippocampus-dependent task, and increased in parallel hippocampus corticosterone concentrations, as compared to non-stressed middle-aged controls (Tronche et al., 2010). Based on these findings, the aims of the present study were to evidence the impact of diazepam (a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor) on HPC glucocorticoids concentrations and in parallel on HPC-dependent memory in acutely stressed middle-aged mice. Microdialysis experiments showed an interaction between diazepam doses and corticosterone concentrations into the HPC. From 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg, diazepam dose-dependently reduces intra-HPC corticosterone concentrations and in parallel, dose-dependently increased hippocampal-dependent memory performance. In contrast, the highest (1.0 mg/kg) diazepam dose induces a reduction in HPC corticosterone concentration, which was of greater magnitude as compared to the two other diazepam doses, but however decreased the hippocampal-dependent memory performance. In summary, our study provides first evidence that diazepam restores in stressed middle-aged animals the hippocampus-dependent response, in relation with HPC corticosterone concentrations. Overall, our data illustrate how stress and benzodiazepines could modulate cognitive functions depending on hippocampus activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Béracochéa
- UMR-CNRS 5287, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Universités de Bordeaux Talence, France
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