1
|
Kritzer MF, Adler A, Locklear M. Androgen effects on mesoprefrontal dopamine systems in the adult male brain. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00306-3. [PMID: 38977069 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.001] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiological data show that males are more often and/or more severely affected by symptoms of prefrontal cortical dysfunction in schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and other disorders in which dopamine circuits associated with the prefrontal cortex are dysregulated. This review focuses on research showing that these dopamine circuits are powerfully regulated by androgens. It begins with a brief overview of the sex differences that distinguish prefrontal function in health and prefrontal dysfunction or decline in aging and/or neuropsychiatric disease. This review article then spotlights data from human subjects and animal models that specifically identify androgens as potent modulators of prefrontal cortical operations and of closely related, functionally critical measures of prefrontal dopamine level or tone. Candidate mechanisms by which androgens dynamically control mesoprefrontal dopamine systems and impact prefrontal states of hypo- and hyper-dopaminergia in aging and disease are then considered. This is followed by discussion of a working model that identifies a key locus for androgen modulation of mesoprefrontal dopamine systems as residing within the prefrontal cortex itself. The last sections of this review critically consider the ways in which the organization and regulation of mesoprefrontal dopamine circuits differ in the adult male and female brain, and highlights gaps where more research is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary F Kritzer
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5230, United States.
| | - Alexander Adler
- Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Graney PL, Chen MY, Wood RI, Wagner CK. Developmental exposure to 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate disrupts decision-making in adult female rats: A potential role for a dopaminergic mechanism. Horm Behav 2024; 163:105550. [PMID: 38669977 PMCID: PMC11180592 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), is administered to pregnant individuals at risk for preterm birth and is likely transferred from mother to fetus. Yet, there is little information regarding the potential effects of 17-OHPC administration on behavioral and neural development in offspring. In rats, neonatal 17-OHPC exposure altered dopaminergic fiber distribution and density in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in neonates and adolescents, respectively. Additionally, neonatal 17-OHPC exposure in male rats increased response omissions in a delay discounting task of impulsive decision-making. Because developmental 17-OHPC exposure has differential effects in males and females, investigating the effects of 17-OHPC on impulsive decision-making in female rats is necessary. The present study tested the effects of developmental 17-OHPC exposure (P1-P14) in a delay discounting task in which female rats chose between a small immediate reward and a larger delayed (0, 15 30, or 45 s) reward. 17-OHPC-exposed females made more omissions than controls. There was no effect of 17-OHPC on large reward preference nor on response time, and omissions were similar during both free- and forced-choice trials. The present study also aimed to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying omissions in 17-OHPC-exposed female rats. The dopamine transporter inhibitor, methylphenidate (MPH), was administered prior to delay discounting testing. MPH treatment did not reduce omissions in 17-OHPC-exposed females. If anything, MPH increased omissions in control females nearly fourfold during the longest delays. These results suggest that developmental 17-OHPC exposure increased omissions without affecting impulsivity or slowing decision-making. Furthermore, omissions may be regulated, at least in part, by dopaminergic mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige L Graney
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
| | - Michael Y Chen
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, 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
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sakaguchi K, Tawata S. Giftedness and atypical sexual differentiation: enhanced perceptual functioning through estrogen deficiency instead of androgen excess. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1343759. [PMID: 38752176 PMCID: PMC11094242 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1343759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Syndromic autism spectrum conditions (ASC), such as Klinefelter syndrome, also manifest hypogonadism. Compared to the popular Extreme Male Brain theory, the Enhanced Perceptual Functioning model explains the connection between ASC, savant traits, and giftedness more seamlessly, and their co-emergence with atypical sexual differentiation. Overexcitability of primary sensory inputs generates a relative enhancement of local to global processing of stimuli, hindering the abstraction of communication signals, in contrast to the extraordinary local information processing skills in some individuals. Weaker inhibitory function through gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and the atypicality of synapse formation lead to this difference, and the formation of unique neural circuits that process external information. Additionally, deficiency in monitoring inner sensory information leads to alexithymia (inability to distinguish one's own emotions), which can be caused by hypoactivity of estrogen and oxytocin in the interoceptive neural circuits, comprising the anterior insular and cingulate gyri. These areas are also part of the Salience Network, which switches between the Central Executive Network for external tasks and the Default Mode Network for self-referential mind wandering. Exploring the possibility that estrogen deficiency since early development interrupts GABA shift, causing sensory processing atypicality, it helps to evaluate the co-occurrence of ASC with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and schizophrenia based on phenotypic and physiological bases. It also provides clues for understanding the common underpinnings of these neurodevelopmental disorders and gifted populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kikue Sakaguchi
- Research Department, National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE), Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Tawata
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wood RI, Chen MY, Snow E. Chronic high-dose testosterone impairs economic decision making, but has no effect on memory in male rats. Behav Processes 2024; 218:105044. [PMID: 38679343 PMCID: PMC11111344 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105044] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The goal is to understand consequences of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse on cognitive function, using rats as a model. Economic decision making was evaluated in an operant test of effort value discounting, where subjects choose between 2 levers that deliver large and small rewards differing in maximum value and reward contrast. The hypothesis is that chronic high-dose testosterone increases preference for large rewards. Male rats were treated chronically with testosterone (7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle. Initially, all rats preferred the large reward lever when large and small rewards remained fixed at 3 and 1 sugar pellets, respectively. When different reward values were introduced, and with increasing response requirements, testosterone-treated rats made fewer responses for the large reward, and increased omissions. They earned fewer rewards overall. To determine if testosterone impairs memory, rats were tested for recognition memory with the novel object recognition and social transmission of food preference tasks, and for spatial memory with the radial arm maze and Morris water maze. There was not effect of chronic high-dose testosterone on any memory task. These results suggest that testosterone shifts economic decision making towards larger rewards even when they are disadvantageous, but does not alter memory in rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States.
| | - Michael Y Chen
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| | - Elizabeth Snow
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Parent MC, Johnson NL. Anabolic Steroid Use and Intimate Partner Violence Among Sexual Minority Men. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:6676-6694. [PMID: 36401518 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221137704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), in a relationship context, among men who have sex with men (MSM). The sample was collected online via Prolific.co and consisted of 491 MSM. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. While accounting for the influence of factors known to be linked to IPV (adverse childhood experiences and alcohol use), the use of AAS in a relationship context was uniquely linked to greater perpetration of IPV. AAS use was not uniquely linked to IPV victimization. Findings from this study contribute to literature on IPV among MSM by including a group-specific risk factor (AAS use) in modeling risk for IPV. Limitations, implications, and future directions for research are discussed.
Collapse
|
7
|
Donovan A, Källström M, Wood RI. Effort-based decision making in response to high-dose androgens: role of dopamine receptors. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:435-441. [PMID: 36148834 PMCID: PMC9512319 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are performance-enhancing drugs used by both world-class and rank-and-file athletes. AAS abuse has been linked with risky decision-making, ranging from drunk driving to abusing multiple drugs. Our lab uses operant behavior in rats to test the effects of AAS (testosterone) on decision making. In our previous study, testosterone caused rats to work harder for food reward during an effort discounting (ED) task. ED is sensitive to dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, and AAS alter accumbens dopamine receptor expression. Accordingly, we determined if testosterone increases response to dopamine receptor antagonists during ED. METHODS Rats were treated chronically with high-dose testosterone (7.5 mg/kg; n = 9) or vehicle (n = 9). We measured baseline preference for the large reward in an ED task, where rats choose between a small easy reward (one lever press for one sugar pellet) and a large difficult reward (2, 5, 10, or 15 presses for three pellets). Preference for the large reward was measured after administration of D1-like (SCH23390, 0.01 mg/kg) or D2-like (eticlopride, 0.06 mg/kg) receptor antagonists. RESULTS At baseline, testosterone- and vehicle-treated rats showed similar preference for the large reward lever (FR5, testosterone: 68.6 ± 9.7% and vehicle: 85.7 ± 2.5%). SCH23390 reduced large reward preference significantly in both groups (FR5, testosterone: 41.3 ± 9.2%; vehicle: 49.1 ± 8.2%; F(1,16) = 17.7; P < 0.05). Eticlopride decreased large reward preference in both groups, but more strongly in testosterone-treated rats (FR5: testosterone: 37.0 ± 9.7%; vehicle: 56.3 ± 7.8%; F(1,16) = 35.3; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Testosterone increases response to dopamine D2-like receptor blockade, and this contributes to previously observed changes in decision-making behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Donovan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Malin Källström
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ruth I. Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tomm RJ, Seib DR, Kachkovski GV, Schweitzer HR, Tobiansky DJ, Floresco SB, Soma KK. Androgen synthesis inhibition increases behavioural flexibility and mPFC tyrosine hydroxylase in gonadectomized male rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13128. [PMID: 35583989 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural flexibility is essential to adapt to a changing environment and depends on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Testosterone administration decreases behavioural flexibility. It is well known that testosterone is produced in the gonads, but testosterone is also produced in the brain, including the mPFC and other nodes of the mesocorticolimbic system. It is unclear how testosterone produced in the brain versus the gonads influences behavioural flexibility. Here, in adult male rats, we assessed the effects of the androgen synthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate (ABI) and long-term gonadectomy (GDX) on behavioural flexibility in two paradigms. In Experiment 1, ABI but not GDX reduced the number of errors to criterion and perseverative errors in a strategy set-shifting task. In Experiment 2, with a separate cohort of rats, ABI but not GDX reduced perseverative errors in a reversal learning task. In Experiment 1, we also examined tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-ir), and ABI but not GDX increased TH-ir in the mPFC. Our findings suggest that neurally-produced androgens modulate behavioural flexibility via modification of dopamine signalling in the mesocorticolimbic system. These results indicate that neurosteroids regulate executive functions and that ABI treatment for prostate cancer might affect cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Tomm
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Désirée R Seib
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - George V Kachkovski
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Helen R Schweitzer
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kohne S, Diekhof EK. Testosterone and estradiol affect adolescent reinforcement learning. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12653. [PMID: 35186450 PMCID: PMC8818269 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12653] [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] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
During adolescence, gonadal hormones influence brain maturation and behavior. The impact of 17β-estradiol and testosterone on reinforcement learning was previously investigated in adults, but studies with adolescents are rare. We tested 89 German male and female adolescents (mean age ± sd = 14.7 ± 1.9 years) to determine the extent 17β-estradiol and testosterone influenced reinforcement learning capacity in a response time adjustment task. Our data showed, that 17β-estradiol correlated with an enhanced ability to speed up responses for reward in both sexes, while the ability to wait for higher reward correlated with testosterone primary in males. This suggests that individual differences in reinforcement learning may be associated with variations in these hormones during adolescence, which may shift the balance between a more reward- and an avoidance-oriented learning style.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Kohne
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Institute of Animal Cell and Systems Biology, Neuroendocrinology and Human Biology Unit, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Esther K. Diekhof
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Institute of Animal Cell and Systems Biology, Neuroendocrinology and Human Biology Unit, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fahrenkopf A, Li G, Wood RI, Wagner CK. Developmental exposure to the synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, disrupts the mesocortical serotonin pathway and alters impulsive decision-making in rats. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:763-773. [PMID: 34318625 PMCID: PMC8440456 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22847] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), is administered to women at risk for preterm birth during a critical period of fetal development for mesocortical pathways. Yet, little information is available regarding the potential effects of 17-OHPC on the developing fetal brain. In rat models, the mesocortical serotonin pathway is sensitive to progestins. Progesterone receptor (PR) is expressed in layer 3 pyramidal neurons of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and in serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe. The present study tested the hypothesis that exposure to 17-OHPC during development disrupts serotonergic innervation of the mPFC in adolescence and impairs behavior mediated by this pathway in adulthood. Administration of 17-OHPC from postnatal days 1-14 decreased the density of SERT-ir fibers within superficial and deep layers and decreased the density of synaptophysin-ir boutons in all layers of prelimbic mPFC at postnatal day 28. In addition, rats exposed to 17-OHPC during development were less likely to make impulsive choices in the Delay Discounting task, choosing the larger, delayed reward more often than controls at moderate delay times. Interestingly, 17-OHPC exposed rats were more likely to fail to make any choice (i.e., increased omissions) compared to controls at longer delays, suggesting disruptions in decision-making. These results suggest that further investigation is warranted in the clinical use of 17-OHPC to better inform a risk/benefit analysis of progestin use in pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allyssa Fahrenkopf
- Psychogenics Inc. Paramus, NJ USA
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, NY USA
| | - Grace Li
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Orsini CA, Blaes SL, Hernandez CM, Betzhold SM, Perera H, Wheeler AR, Ten Eyck TW, Garman TS, Bizon JL, Setlow B. Regulation of risky decision making by gonadal hormones in males and females. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:603-613. [PMID: 32919406 PMCID: PMC8027379 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00827-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric diseases characterized by dysregulated risky decision making are differentially represented in males and females. The factors that govern such sex differences, however, remain poorly understood. Using a task in which rats make discrete trial choices between a small, "safe" food reward and a large food reward accompanied by varying probabilities of footshock punishment, we recently showed that females are more risk averse than males. The objective of the current experiments was to test the extent to which these sex differences in risky decision making are mediated by gonadal hormones. Male and female rats were trained in the risky decision-making task, followed by ovariectomy (OVX), orchiectomy (ORX), or sham surgery. Rats were then retested in the task, under both baseline conditions and following administration of estradiol and/or testosterone. OVX increased choice of the large, risky reward (increased risky choice), an effect that was attenuated by estradiol administration. In contrast, ORX decreased risky choice, but testosterone administration was without effect in either ORX or sham males. Estradiol, however, decreased risky choice in both groups of males. Importantly, none of the effects of hormonal manipulation on risky choice were due to altered shock sensitivity or food motivation. These data show that gonadal hormones are required for maintaining sex-typical profiles of risk-taking behavior in both males and females, and that estradiol is sufficient to promote risk aversion in both sexes. The findings provide novel information about the mechanisms supporting sex differences in risk taking and may prove useful in understanding sex differences in the prevalence of psychiatric diseases associated with altered risk taking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin A Orsini
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Shelby L Blaes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Caesar M Hernandez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Sara M Betzhold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Hassan Perera
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Alexa-Rae Wheeler
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Tyler W Ten Eyck
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Tyler S Garman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Jennifer L Bizon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Risks of Serious Injury with Testosterone Treatment. Am J Med 2021; 134:84-94.e6. [PMID: 32926849 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.07.037] [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: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injury causes significant morbidity and mortality that is sometimes attributed to testosterone and violence. We hypothesized that prescribed testosterone might be associated with the subsequent risk of serious injury. METHODS We conducted a self-matched individual-patient exposure-crossover analysis comparing injury risks before and after initiation of testosterone. We selected adults treated with testosterone in Ontario, Canada, from October 1, 2012, to October 1, 2017 (enrollment) and continued until October 1, 2018 (follow-up). The primary outcome was defined as an acute traumatic event that required emergency medical care. RESULTS A total of 64,386 patients were treated with testosterone of whom 89% were men with a median age of 52 years. We identified 34,439 serious injuries during the baseline interval before starting testosterone (584 per month) and 7349 serious injuries during the subsequent interval after starting testosterone (565 per month). Rates of injuries were substantially above the population norm in both intervals with no significant increased risk after starting testosterone (relative risk = 1.00; 95% confidence interval: 0.96-1.04, P = 0.850). The unchanged risk extended to diverse patients, was observed for different formulations and applied to all injury mechanisms. In contrast, testosterone treatment was associated with a 48% increased risk of a thromboembolic event (relative risk = 1.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.25-1.74, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Testosterone treatment was associated with a substantial baseline risk of serious injury that did not increase further after starting therapy. Physicians prescribing testosterone could consider basic safety reminders to mitigate injury risks.
Collapse
|
13
|
Agrawal J, Dwivedi Y. GABA A Receptor Subunit Transcriptional Regulation, Expression Organization, and Mediated Calmodulin Signaling in Prefrontal Cortex of Rats Showing Testosterone-Mediated Impulsive Behavior. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:600099. [PMID: 33240041 PMCID: PMC7677587 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.600099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone can induce impulsivity, a behavioral impairment associated with various psychiatric illnesses. The molecular mechanisms associated with testosterone-induced impulsivity are unclear. Our earlier studies showed that supraphysiological doses of testosterone to rats induced impulsive behavior, impacted hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis interactions, and altered α2A adrenergic receptors in prefrontal cortex (PFC). Owing to the importance of GABAergic system in impulsivity and memory, the present study examines whether testosterone-mediated impulsivity is associated with changes in the expression of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) A and B receptor subunit transcripts (Gabra1, Gabra2, Gabra2 transcript variant 2, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrb1, Gabrb2, Gabrb3, Gabrg1, Gabrg2, Gabrg3, Gabbr1, Gabbr2) in rat PFC, and whether testosterone influences GABAA receptor subunit organization. We studied GABA receptor functions by examining GABA receptor-mediated calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling genes (Calm1, Calm2, Calm3, Camk2a, Camk2b, Camk2g, Camk2d, Camk4) in the testosterone-induced impulsivity model. Rats were left untreated as controls (C), gonadectomized (GDX), or GDX and injected with supraphysiological doses of testosterone (T). Impulsive behavior was examined using the go/no-go paradigm. Gene expression was studied using qRT-PCR and GABAA subunit reorganization using cross correlation. Our findings show that expressions of select GABAA receptor subunits (Gabra3, Gabra5, Gabra6) were significantly upregulated in PFC of T group compared to GDX or C groups. GABAA receptor subunit organization was different in C, T, and GDX groups. Additionally, Camk4 expression was significantly downregulated in T compared to C group. Our findings suggest that specific GABAA receptor subunit expression, their reorganization, and Camk4-mediated functions may be associated with testosterone-mediated impulsivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juhee Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hernandez CM, Orsini C, Wheeler AR, Ten Eyck TW, Betzhold SM, Labiste CC, Wright NG, Setlow B, Bizon JL. Testicular hormones mediate robust sex differences in impulsive choice in rats. eLife 2020; 9:58604. [PMID: 32985975 PMCID: PMC7521924 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairments in choosing optimally between immediate and delayed rewards are associated with numerous psychiatric disorders. Such ‘intertemporal’ choice is influenced by genetic and experiential factors; however, the contributions of biological sex are understudied and data to date are largely inconclusive. Rats were used to determine how sex and gonadal hormones influence choices between small, immediate and large, delayed rewards. Females showed markedly greater preference than males for small, immediate over large, delayed rewards (greater impulsive choice). This difference was neither due to differences in food motivation or reward magnitude perception, nor was it affected by estrous cycle. Ovariectomies did not affect choice in females, whereas orchiectomies increased impulsive choice in males. These data show that male rats exhibit less impulsive choice than females and that this difference is at least partly maintained by testicular hormones. These differences in impulsive choice could be linked to gender differences across multiple neuropsychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caesar M Hernandez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Caitlin Orsini
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Alexa-Rae Wheeler
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Tyler W Ten Eyck
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Sara M Betzhold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Chase C Labiste
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Noelle G Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Jennifer L Bizon
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Islas-Preciado D, Wainwright SR, Sniegocki J, Lieblich SE, Yagi S, Floresco SB, Galea LAM. Risk-based decision making in rats: Modulation by sex and amphetamine. Horm Behav 2020; 125:104815. [PMID: 32640197 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Decision-making is a complex process essential to daily adaptation in many species. Risk is an inherent aspect of decision-making and it is influenced by gonadal hormones. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol may modulate decision making and impact the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway. Here, we explored sex differences, the effect of gonadal hormones and the dopamine agonist amphetamine on risk-based decision making. Intact or gonadectomised (GDX) male and female rats underwent to a probabilistic discounting task. High and low doses of testosterone propionate (1.0 or 0.2 mg) and 17β-estradiol benzoate (0.3 μg) were administered to assess acute effects on risk-based decision making. After 3-days of washout period, intact and GDX rats received high or low (0.5 or 0.125 mg/kg) doses of amphetamine and re-tested in the probabilistic discounting task. Under baseline conditions, males made more risky choices during probability discounting compared to female rats, particularly in the lower probability blocks, but GDX did not influence risky choice. The high, but not the low dose, of testosterone modestly reduced risky decision making in GDX male rats. Conversely, 17β-estradiol had no significant effect on risky choice regardless of GDX status in either sex. Lastly, a higher dose of amphetamine increased risky decision making in both intact males and females, but had no effect in GDX rats. These findings demonstrated sex differences in risk-based decision making, with males showing a stronger bias toward larger, uncertain rewards. GDX status influenced the effects of amphetamine, suggesting different dopaminergic regulation in risk-based choices among males and females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dannia Islas-Preciado
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Steven R Wainwright
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Julia Sniegocki
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stephanie E Lieblich
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shunya Yagi
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wood RI, Serpa RO. Anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse and cognitive impairment: Testosterone IMPAIRS biconditional task performance in male rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 379:112339. [PMID: 31697985 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112339] [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: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Our goal is to understand the consequences of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse on cognitive function, using rats as a model. There is relatively little research on how AAS abuse impacts cognition. In the present study, rats were tested for their ability to use contextual information to guide decision-making in biconditional discrimination. The Stroop task is a classic human test for contextual decision-making. In rodents, biconditional discrimination challenges subjects to use contextual cues in the operant chamber to resolve the correct lever response when auditory and visual cues are incongruent. The hypothesis is that chronic high-dose testosterone impairs biconditional discrimination. Rats were trained in 24 trials/day over 14 days, in alternating sessions with each environment. On a flat floor with houselight illuminated, auditory cues (clicker vs tone) signified the active lever. On a barred floor with no light, visual cues from 2 stimulus lights (constant vs blinking) identified the active lever. Rats treated chronically with testosterone (7.5 mg/kg) were unimpaired in task acquisition, and all rats learned to select the correct lever in response to auditory or visual cues. During extinction, controls made significantly more correct than incorrect responses in congruent trials (p < 0.05 by paired t-test), but testosterone-treated rats failed to show a similar preference. This was reflected by significant interactions of drug x cue agreement (F1,18 = 5.21, p < 0.05) and drug x cue agreement x response accuracy (F1,18 = 8.95, p < 0.05). These results suggest that testosterone impairs cognitive flexibility, and demonstrates potential for AAS abuse to impair cognitive function in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States.
| | - Rebecka O Serpa
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Noble EE, Wang Z, Liu CM, Davis EA, Suarez AN, Stein LM, Tsan L, Terrill SJ, Hsu TM, Jung AH, Raycraft LM, Hahn JD, Darvas M, Cortella AM, Schier LA, Johnson AW, Hayes MR, Holschneider DP, Kanoski SE. Hypothalamus-hippocampus circuitry regulates impulsivity via melanin-concentrating hormone. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4923. [PMID: 31664021 PMCID: PMC6820566 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12895-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral impulsivity is common in various psychiatric and metabolic disorders. Here we identify a hypothalamus to telencephalon neural pathway for regulating impulsivity involving communication from melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)-expressing lateral hypothalamic neurons to the ventral hippocampus subregion (vHP). Results show that both site-specific upregulation (pharmacological or chemogenetic) and chronic downregulation (RNA interference) of MCH communication to the vHP increases impulsive responding in rats, indicating that perturbing this system in either direction elevates impulsivity. Furthermore, these effects are not secondary to either impaired timing accuracy, altered activity, or increased food motivation, consistent with a specific role for vHP MCH signaling in the regulation of impulse control. Results from additional functional connectivity and neural pathway tracing analyses implicate the nucleus accumbens as a putative downstream target of vHP MCH1 receptor-expressing neurons. Collectively, these data reveal a specific neural circuit that regulates impulsivity and provide evidence of a novel function for MCH on behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Noble
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30606, USA
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Clarissa M Liu
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Davis
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Andrea N Suarez
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Lauren M Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Linda Tsan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Sarah J Terrill
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ted M Hsu
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - A-Hyun Jung
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Lauren M Raycraft
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Joel D Hahn
- Neurobiology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Martin Darvas
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Alyssa M Cortella
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Lindsey A Schier
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Alexander W Johnson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Matthew R Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Daniel P Holschneider
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Scott E Kanoski
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dokovna LB, Li G, Wood RI. Anabolic-androgenic steroids and cognitive effort discounting in male rats. Horm Behav 2019; 113:13-20. [PMID: 31054274 PMCID: PMC6589107 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are drugs of abuse that impair behavior and cognition. In a rodent model of AAS abuse, testosterone-treated male rats expend more physical effort, by repeatedly pressing a lever for a large reward in an operant discounting task. However, since modern society prioritizes cognitive over physical effort, it is important to determine if AAS limit cognitive effort. Here we tested the effects of AAS on a novel cognitive-effort discounting task. Each operant chamber had 3 nose-pokes, opposite 2 levers and a pellet dispenser. Rats pressed a lever to illuminate 1 nose-poke; they responded in the illuminated nose-poke to receive sugar pellets. For the 'easy' lever, the light remained on for 1 s, and a correct response earned 1 pellet. For the 'hard' lever, the light duration decreased from 1 s to 0.1 s across 5 blocks of trials, and a correct response earned 4 pellets. As the duration of the nose-poke light decreased, all rats decreased their choice of the hard lever in a modest discounting curve. Task accuracy also decreased significantly across the 5 blocks of trials. However, there was no effect of testosterone on choice of the hard lever or task accuracy. Antagonism of dopamine D1 or D2 receptors had no effect on lever choice or task accuracy. However, serotonin depletion significantly decreased preference for the hard lever, and impaired task accuracy. Thus, physical effort discounting depends on dopamine activity, while cognitive effort discounting task is sensitive to serotonin. AAS impair physical effort discounting, but not cognitive effort discounting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B Dokovna
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Grace Li
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wallin-Miller K, Li G, Kelishani D, Wood RI. Anabolic-androgenic steroids alter decision making in a balanced rodent model of the Iowa gambling task. Behav Neurosci 2018; 132:152-160. [PMID: 29809043 DOI: 10.1037/bne0000243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse is implicated in maladaptive decision making such as increased risk taking and problem gambling. Endogenous testosterone correlates with economic risk taking in both the stock market (Coates & Herbert, 2008) and in the laboratory, as measured by the Iowa Gambling Task (Stanton, Liening, & Schultheiss, 2011). Additionally, AAS use has been associated with problem gambling behavior in adolescents (Proimos, DuRant, Pierce, & Goodman, 1998). Thus, AAS may impair economic decision making. However, studies of human AAS users cannot control for preexisting risky behavior or normalize androgen levels. Accordingly, the present study investigated AAS effects on decision making in rats using a novel, balanced rodent model of the IGT. Adolescent male Long-Evans rats were treated chronically with high-dose testosterone (7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (13% cyclodextrin in water) sc, and trained to work for sugar pellets in an operant chamber equipped with 4 levers, each associated with a different schedule of reward magnitude (number of pellets), probability, and punishment (time-out) duration. By RM-ANOVA, there was a main effect of lever (F3,78 = 25.33, p < .05), such that all rats preferred lever L4 offering a large reward (4 pellets), but with low probability (45%) and a long (35 sec) time-out. There was also a significant interaction of testosterone × lever (F3,78 = 2.78, p < .05), with testosterone increasing preference for L4 and decreasing preference for the other levers, relative to vehicle-treated controls. These data extend our previous findings of altered decision making in AAS-treated rats, and suggest that AAS may alter economic decision making in human users. (PsycINFO Database Record
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Grace Li
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
| | - Diana Kelishani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chronic Testosterone Increases Impulsivity and Influences the Transcriptional Activity of the Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor Signaling Pathway in Rat Brain. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:4061-4071. [PMID: 30264294 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1350-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone is an anabolic androgenic steroid hormone involved in brain development, reproduction, and social behavior. Several studies have shown that testosterone can cause impulsivity in humans, which in turn, is linked with mood-related psychiatric disorders and higher risk of death by suicide. The mechanisms by which testosterone abuse influences impulsivity are unclear. The present study aims to understand how testosterone influences impulsivity in a rodent model both at behavioral and molecular levels. In this study, rats were either only gonadectomized or gonadectomized and injected with supraphysiological doses of testosterone. Their relative impulsivity levels were assessed using the go/no-go task. Serum level of testosterone was measured using ELISA. Transcript levels of alpha-2A adrenergic receptor (Adra2a), G proteins (stimulatory subunit-Gαs [Gnas], inhibitory subunit-Giα [Gnai1 and Gnai2]), and catalytic and regulatory subunits of protein kinase A (PKA) were examined using quantitative PCR (qPCR) in brain areas associated with limbic system (prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and amygdala). The testosterone-treated (T) group showed significantly higher level of serum testosterone and displayed a lower go/no-go ratio, indicating greater impulsivity compared to the gonadectomized (GDX) group. The transcript levels Adra2a and Gαs genes and PKA subunits encoded by Prkar1a, Prkar1b, Prkar2a, and Prkaca genes were significantly upregulated in PFC of testosterone treated rats. The expression levels of these genes were not significantly altered in hippocampus. On the other hand, amygdala showed changes only in Gnas and Prkar2a. These results suggest that chronic testosterone influences impulsivity possibly via hyperactive alpha-2A adrenergic receptor-PKA signaling axis, specifically in the PFC.
Collapse
|
21
|
Herbert J. Testosterone, Cortisol and Financial Risk-Taking. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:101. [PMID: 29867399 PMCID: PMC5964298 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Both testosterone and cortisol have major actions on financial decision-making closely related to their primary biological functions, reproductive success and response to stress, respectively. Financial risk-taking represents a particular example of strategic decisions made in the context of choice under conditions of uncertainty. Such decisions have multiple components, and this article considers how much we know of how either hormone affects risk-appetite, reward value, information processing and estimation of the costs and benefits of potential success or failure, both personal and social. It also considers how far we can map these actions on neural mechanisms underlying risk appetite and decision-making, with particular reference to areas of the brain concerned in either cognitive or emotional functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe Herbert
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wallin-Miller KG, Kreutz F, Li G, Wood RI. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) increase sensitivity to uncertainty by inhibition of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:959-969. [PMID: 29242988 PMCID: PMC5871556 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4810-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse is implicated in maladaptive behaviors such as impaired cognition in humans. In a rat model, our lab has shown that testosterone decreases preference for a large/uncertain reward in probability discounting. Other studies have shown that androgens decrease dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell, a region important for decision-making behavior in probability discounting. Thus, we attempted to restore selection of the large/uncertain reward in testosterone-treated rats by administering the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole or the D1 receptor agonist SKF81297 and testing probability discounting. METHODS Adolescent male Long-Evans rats were treated chronically with high-dose testosterone (7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (13% cyclodextrin in water), and tested for probability discounting after injections of saline, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg of quinpirole or SKF81297. Rats chose between a small/certain reward (1 sugar pellet, 100% probability) and a large/uncertain reward (4 pellets, decreasing probability: 100, 75, 50, 25, 0%). RESULTS Testosterone-treated rats selected the large/uncertain reward significantly less than vehicle-treated controls after saline injection. However, acute injection with 0.1 mg/kg quinpirole increased large/uncertain reward preference in testosterone-treated rats only, indicated by a testosterone × quinpirole interaction. At 0.5 mg/kg, quinpirole increased large/uncertain reward preference in all rats. Acute injection with SKF81297 at 0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg rescued large/uncertain reward preference in testosterone-treated rats by eliminating the difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS It appears that altered probability discounting behavior in testosterone-treated rats is due to both decreased D1 and D2 receptor function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn G Wallin-Miller
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Frida Kreutz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Grace Li
- Department of Integrated Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo St., BMT 401, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrated Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo St., BMT 401, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hildebrandt T, Heywood A, Wesley D, Schulz K. Defining the Construct of Synthetic Androgen Intoxication: An Application of General Brain Arousal. Front Psychol 2018; 9:390. [PMID: 29651261 PMCID: PMC5885244 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic androgens (i. e., anabolic-androgenic steroids) are the primary component to the majority of problematic appearance and performance enhancing drug (APED) use. Despite evidence that these substances are associated with increased risk for aggression, violence, body image disturbances, and polypharmacy and can develop a pattern of chronic use consistent with drug dependence, there are no formal definitions of androgen intoxication. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to establish a testable theory of androgen intoxication. We present evidence and theorize that synthetic androgen intoxication can be defined by a pattern of poor self-regulation characterized by increased propensity for a range of behaviors (e.g., aggression, sex, drug seeking, exercise, etc.) via androgen mediated effects on general brain arousal. This theory posits that androgens reduce threshold for emotional reactivity, motor response, and alertness to sensory stimuli and disrupt inhibitory control over the behaviors associated with synthetic androgen use. These changes result from alteration to basic neurocircuitry that amplifies limbic activation and reduces top-down cortical control. The implications for this definition are to inform APED specific hypotheses about the behavioral and psychological effects of APED use and provide a basis for establishing clinical, legal, and public health guidelines to address the use and misuse of these substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Hildebrandt
- Eating and Weight Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ashley Heywood
- Eating and Weight Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Daniel Wesley
- Eating and Weight Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kurt Schulz
- Eating and Weight Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Vaz RP, Cardoso A, Serrão P, Pereira PA, Madeira MD. Chronic stress leads to long-lasting deficits in olfactory-guided behaviors, and to neuroplastic changes in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract. Horm Behav 2018; 98:130-144. [PMID: 29277699 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A recent study reported that the integrity of the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract (nLOT) is required for normal olfaction and for the display of odor-driven behaviors that are critical for species survival and reproduction. In addition to being bi-directionally connected with a key element of the neural circuitry that mediates stress response, the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, the nLOT is a potential target for glucocorticoids as its cells express glucocorticoid receptors. Herein, we have addressed this hypothesis by exploring, first, if chronic variable stress (CVS) disrupts odor detection and discrimination, and innate olfactory-driven behaviors, namely predator avoidance, sexual behavior and aggression in male rats. Next, we examined if CVS alters the nLOT structure and if such changes can be ascribed to stress-induced effects on the activity of the main output neurons, which are glutamatergic, and/or of local GABAergic interneurons. Finally, we analyzed if the stress-induced changes are transient or, conversely, persist after cessation of CVS exposure. Our data demonstrate that CVS leads to severe olfactory deficits with inability to detect and discriminate between odors and to innately avoid predator odors. No effects of CVS on sexual and aggressive behaviors were observed. Results also showed that CVS leads to somatic hypertrophy of pyramidal glutamatergic neurons, which likely results from neuronal disinhibition consequent to the loss of inhibitory inputs mediated by GABAergic interneurons. Most of the CVS-induced effects persist beyond a 4-week stress-free period, suggesting long-lasting effects of chronic stress on the structure and function of the olfactory system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo P Vaz
- Unit of Anatomy - Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar S. João, EPE, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Armando Cardoso
- Unit of Anatomy - Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Serrão
- Unit of Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; MedInUP - Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Pedro A Pereira
- Unit of Anatomy - Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
| | - M Dulce Madeira
- Unit of Anatomy - Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tobiansky DJ, Wallin-Miller KG, Floresco SB, Wood RI, Soma KK. Androgen Regulation of the Mesocorticolimbic System and Executive Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:279. [PMID: 29922228 PMCID: PMC5996102 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence indicate that androgens, such as testosterone, modulate the mesocorticolimbic system and executive function. This review integrates neuroanatomical, molecular biological, neurochemical, and behavioral studies to highlight how endogenous and exogenous androgens alter behaviors, such as behavioral flexibility, decision making, and risk taking. First, we briefly review the neuroanatomy of the mesocorticolimbic system, which mediates executive function, with a focus on the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Second, we present evidence that androgen receptors (AR) and other steroid receptors are expressed in the mesocorticolimbic system. Using sensitive immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques, ARs are detected in the VTA, NAc, mPFC, and OFC. Third, we describe recent evidence for local androgens ("neuroandrogens") in the mesocorticolimbic system. Steroidogenic enzymes are expressed in mesocorticolimbic regions. Furthermore, following long-term gonadectomy, testosterone is nondetectable in the blood but detectable in the mesocorticolimbic system, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. However, the physiological relevance of neuroandrogens remains unknown. Fourth, we review how anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) influence the mesocorticolimbic system. Fifth, we describe how androgens modulate the neurochemistry and structure of the mesocorticolimbic system, particularly with regard to dopaminergic signaling. Finally, we discuss evidence that androgens influence executive functions, including the effects of androgen deprivation therapy and AAS. Taken together, the evidence indicates that androgens are critical modulators of executive function. Similar to dopamine signaling, there might be optimal levels of androgen signaling within the mesocorticolimbic system for executive functioning. Future studies should examine the regulation and functions of neurosteroids in the mesocorticolimbic system, as well as the potential deleterious and enduring effects of AAS use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Daniel J. Tobiansky,
| | - Kathryn G. Wallin-Miller
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stan B. Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ruth I. Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kiran K. Soma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bromberg U, Lobatcheva M, Peters J. Episodic future thinking reduces temporal discounting in healthy adolescents. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188079. [PMID: 29166658 PMCID: PMC5699809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Episodic Future Thinking has proven efficient in reducing impulsive behavior in several adult populations. Whether it also has a beneficial impact on decision making in adolescents is not known. Here the impact of episodic future thinking on discounting behavior was investigated in a sample of healthy adolescents (n = 44, age range 13–16 years). Discounting behavior in trials including episodic future thinking was significantly less impulsive than in control trials (t = 2.74, p = .009, dz = .44). In a subsample we controlled for executive function, alcohol use and developmental measures. Neither executive function nor alcohol use but developmental measures explained variability in the effect of episodic future thinking. These findings reveal that episodic future thinking can improve adolescent decision making while the effect is to some degree modulated by developmental measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uli Bromberg
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Maria Lobatcheva
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Peters
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Biological Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Panagiotidis D, Clemens B, Habel U, Schneider F, Schneider I, Wagels L, Votinov M. Exogenous testosterone in a non-social provocation paradigm potentiates anger but not behavioral aggression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 27:1172-1184. [PMID: 28939164 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Animal studies suggest a causal link between testosterone and aggression. However, in human research the exact role of this hormone is still unclear, having been linked to dominance and approach behavior rather than to aggression per se. In a social context, the induction of aggression might be confounded with dominance or status changes, which potentially influence the association between aggression and testosterone. The objective of the current study was to investigate the influence of testosterone on non-social aggression in a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment including 90 healthy male participants. To this end, we developed an innovative paradigm in which participants were provoked by a malfunctioning joystick restraining them from a promised reward. As measures for aggression throughout the task the joystick amplitude was recorded and anger was assessed via emotional self-ratings. Participants reacted to the provocation with a significant shift to more negative emotions and increased implicit aggressive behavior, reflected in the force exerted to pull the joystick following provocation. Importantly, the study demonstrated first evidence for a modulating influence of testosterone on non-social aggression in males: Self-rated anger was significantly elevated in the testosterone group compared to the placebo group as a function of provocation. Testosterone administration did not significantly influence the implicit aggressive response. These findings demonstrate a potentiating effect of testosterone on provocation-related anger in a non-social context. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of disentangling different components of aggression and characterizing different influencing factors when inferring on hormonal effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Despina Panagiotidis
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Clemens
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationship, Research Center Jülich and RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationship, Research Center Jülich and RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Isabella Schneider
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Wagels
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mikhail Votinov
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 10, Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Fuxjager MJ, Trainor BC, Marler CA. What can animal research tell us about the link between androgens and social competition in humans? Horm Behav 2017; 92:182-189. [PMID: 27914879 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A contribution to a special issue on Hormones and Human Competition. The relationship between androgenic hormones, like testosterone (T), and aggression is extensively studied in human populations. Yet, while this work has illuminated a variety of principals regarding the behavioral and phenotypic effects of T, it is also hindered by inherent limitations of performing research on people. In these instances, animal research can be used to gain further insight into the complex mechanisms by which T influences aggression. Here, we explore recent studies on T and aggression in numerous vertebrate species, although we focus primarily on males and on a New World rodent called the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). This species is highly territorial and monogamous, resembling the modern human social disposition. We review (i) how baseline and dynamic T levels predict and/or impact aggressive behavior and disposition; (ii) how factors related to social and physical context influence T and aggression; (iii) the reinforcing or "rewarding" aspects of aggressive behavior; and (iv) the function of T on aggression before and during a combative encounter. Included are areas that may need further research. We argue that animal studies investigating these topics fill in gaps to help paint a more complete picture of how androgenic steroids drive the output of aggressive behavior in all animals, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Catherine A Marler
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wallin-Miller K, Li G, Kelishani D, Wood RI. Anabolic-androgenic steroids decrease dendritic spine density in the nucleus accumbens of male rats. Neuroscience 2016; 330:72-8. [PMID: 27238893 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) modify cognitive processes such as decision making and behavioral flexibility. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these AAS-induced cognitive changes remain poorly understood. The mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system, particularly the nucleus accumbens (Acb), is important for reward, motivated behavior, and higher cognitive processes such as decision making. Therefore, AAS-induced plasticity in the DA system is a potential structural substrate for the observed cognitive alterations. High doses of testosterone (the most commonly-used AAS) increase dendritic spine density in limbic regions including the amygdala and hippocampus. However, effects on Acb are unknown. This was the focus of the present study. Adolescent male Long-Evans rats were treated chronically for 8weeks with high-dose testosterone (7.5mg/kg in water with 13% cyclodextrin) or vehicle sc. Brains were stained by Golgi-Cox to analyze neuronal morphology in medium spiny neurons of the shell region of Acb (AcbSh). Eightweeks of testosterone treatment significantly decreased spine density in AcbSh compared to brains of vehicle-treated rats (F1,14=5.455, p<0.05). Testosterone did not significantly affect total spine number, dendritic length, or arborization measured by Sholl analysis. These results show that AAS alter neuronal morphology in AcbSh by decreasing spine density throughout the dendritic tree, and provides a potential mechanism for AAS to modify cognition and decision-making behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Wallin-Miller
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Grace Li
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Diana Kelishani
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kopsida E, Berrebi J, Petrovic P, Ingvar M. Testosterone Administration Related Differences in Brain Activation during the Ultimatum Game. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:66. [PMID: 26973448 PMCID: PMC4771731 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A plethora of studies on the Ultimatum Game have shown that responders forfeit the rule of profit maximization and punish unfair proposers, by rejecting their offers. This behavior has been linked to increased amygdala, insula, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation. Studies have suggested a potential role of testosterone in the Ultimatum Game albeit with inconsistent findings. In the present study, we sought to further investigate the role of amygdala and testosterone in the Ultimatum Game, by conducting a double-blinded, single-administration study. Sixty milligram of Tostrex was administered to male and female healthy volunteers, 3 h prior to undergoing an fMRI session, during which they played a standard version of the Ultimatum Game. The behavioral analysis revealed a statistical trend, as participants in the testosterone group tended to accept a greater number of unfair offers than participants in the placebo group, irrespectively of gender. In terms of fMRI results, for the main contrast unfair>fair offers, the testosterone group displayed a greater activation in the right dlPFC compared to the placebo group. Increased testosterone levels were related to greater caudate activity. Our findings suggest a complex role of testosterone in social behavior and decision-making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Kopsida
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, MR Research Center and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Berrebi
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, MR Research Center and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Predrag Petrovic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, MR Research Center and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingvar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, MR Research Center and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mad men, women and steroid cocktails: a review of the impact of sex and other factors on anabolic androgenic steroids effects on affective behaviors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:549-69. [PMID: 26758282 PMCID: PMC4751878 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4193-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE For several decades, elite athletes and a growing number of recreational consumers have used anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) as performance enhancing drugs. Despite mounting evidence that illicit use of these synthetic steroids has detrimental effects on affective states, information available on sex-specific actions of these drugs is lacking. OBJECTIVES The focus of this review is to assess information to date on the importance of sex and its interaction with other environmental factors on affective behaviors, with an emphasis on data derived from non-human studies. METHODS The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies in both sexes. RESULTS Studies examining AAS use in females are limited, reflecting the lower prevalence of use in this sex. Data, however, indicate significant sex-specific differences in AAS effects on anxiety-like and aggressive behaviors, interactions with other drugs of abuse, and the interplay of AAS with other environmental factors such as diet and exercise. CONCLUSIONS Current methods for assessing AAS use have limitations that suggest biases of both under- and over-reporting, which may be amplified for females who are poorly represented in self-report studies of human subjects and are rarely used in animal studies. Data from animal literature suggest that there are significant sex-specific differences in the impact of AAS on aggression, anxiety, and concomitant use of other abused substances. These results have relevance for human females who take these drugs as performance-enhancing substances and for transgender XX individuals who may illicitly self-administer AAS as they transition to a male gender identity.
Collapse
|
32
|
Anabolic-androgenic steroids and decision making: Probability and effort discounting in male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 57:84-92. [PMID: 25900595 PMCID: PMC4437834 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse is implicated in maladaptive behaviors such as increased aggression and risk taking. Impaired judgment due to changes in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system may contribute to these behavioral changes. While AAS are known to influence dopamine function in mesocorticolimbic circuitry, the effects on decision making are unknown. This was the focus of the present study. Adolescent male Long-Evans rats were treated chronically with high-dose testosterone (7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (13% cyclodextrin in water), and tested for cost/benefit decision making in two discounting paradigms. Rats chose between a small reward (1 sugar pellet) and a large discounted reward (3 or 4 pellets). Probability discounting (PD) measures sensitivity to reward uncertainty by decreasing the probability (100, 75, 50, 25, 0%) of receiving the large reward in successive blocks of each daily session. Effort discounting (ED) measures sensitivity to a work cost by increasing the lever presses required to earn the large reward (1, 2, 5, 10, 15 presses). In PD, testosterone-treated rats selected the large/uncertain reward significantly less than vehicle-treated controls. However, during ED, testosterone-treated rats selected the large/high effort reward significantly more than controls. These studies show that testosterone has divergent effects on different aspects of decision making. Specifically, testosterone increases aversion to uncertainty but decreases sensitivity to the output of effort for reward. These results have implications for understanding maladaptive behavioral changes in human AAS users.
Collapse
|
33
|
Wallin KG, Wood RI. Anabolic-androgenic steroids impair set-shifting and reversal learning in male rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:583-90. [PMID: 25638026 PMCID: PMC4405434 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse is prevalent not only among elite athletes, but is increasingly common in high school and collegiate sports. AAS are implicated in maladaptive behaviors such as increased aggression and risk taking, which may result from impaired cognition. Because they affect dopamine function in prefrontal cortical (PFC)-striatal circuitry, AAS may disrupt PFC-dependent processes such as behavioral flexibility. This was the focus of the present study. Adolescent male Long-Evans rats were treated chronically with high-dose testosterone (7.5mg/kg in water with 13% cyclodextrin) or vehicle sc, and tested for set-shifting and reversal-learning. For set-shifting, rats were trained on a visual cue task (VCT), then were shifted to a direction cue task (DCT), or vice-versa. For reversal learning, rats were first trained on VCT and were then required to press the opposite lever. 2-cue set-shifting introduced a novel paradigm in which rats shifted from a 1-Light Visual Task (1LVT) to a tone cue task (TCT). Testosterone-treated rats were significantly impaired on the set-shift from DCT to VCT compared to vehicle-treated controls (trials to criterion: vehicle 240.9±29.9, testosterone 388.3±59.3, p<0.05). However, on the set-shift from VCT to DCT, testosterone did not affect performance. During reversal-learning, testosterone significantly increased trials to criterion (vehicle: 495.9±91.8 trials, testosterone: 793.7±96.7 trials, p<0.05). In 2-cue set-shifting, testosterone diminished performance and the difference showed borderline significance (vehicle: 443.2±84.4 trials, testosterone: 800.4±178.2 trials, p=0.09). Our results show that testosterone impairs behavioral flexibility and have implications for understanding cognitive and behavioral changes in human AAS users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn G Wallin
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo St., BMT 408, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jenssen IH, Johannessen KB. Aggression and body image concerns among anabolic androgenic steroid users, contemplators, and controls in Norway. Body Image 2015; 12:6-13. [PMID: 25261635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AAS users and contemplators were investigated for differences in aggression and body image concern. Prevalence rates were sought as a secondary aim. 396 male adolescents at Norwegian high schools completed a questionnaire battery during school hours. Prevalence of AAS use showed 4.0%; AAS contemplation showed 5.1%. No significant differences between the AAS users and contemplators were found on levels of aggression and body image concern. AAS users and contemplators reported significantly higher levels of aggression and body image concern compared nonusing controls. AAS contemplators enhance understanding of AAS use by representing psychosocial factors contributing to increased aggression, and AAS use or risk thereof indicative of an aggressive personality profile. Body image concerns for AAS users and contemplators may indicate that AAS use does not diminish body image concern, and that body image concern is a risk factor for AAS use. This is supportive of previous research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ida Heimly Jenssen
- Østfold Hospital, Addiction Services, Department of Diagnosis and Treatment, Moss, Norway.
| | - Kim Berg Johannessen
- Center on Autobiographical Memory Research, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hamstra DA, de Kloet ER, van Hemert AM, de Rijk RH, Van der Does AJW. Mineralocorticoid receptor haplotype, oral contraceptives and emotional information processing. Neuroscience 2014; 286:412-22. [PMID: 25497375 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral contraceptives (OCs) affect mood in some women and may have more subtle effects on emotional information processing in many more users. Female carriers of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) haplotype 2 have been shown to be more optimistic and less vulnerable to depression. AIM To investigate the effects of oral contraceptives on emotional information processing and a possible moderating effect of MR haplotype. METHODS Cross-sectional study in 85 healthy premenopausal women of West-European descent. RESULTS We found significant main effects of oral contraceptives on facial expression recognition, emotional memory and decision-making. Furthermore, carriers of MR haplotype 1 or 3 were sensitive to the impact of OCs on the recognition of sad and fearful faces and on emotional memory, whereas MR haplotype 2 carriers were not. LIMITATIONS Different compounds of OCs were included. No hormonal measures were taken. Most naturally cycling participants were assessed in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS Carriers of MR haplotype 2 may be less sensitive to depressogenic side-effects of OCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D A Hamstra
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
| | - E R de Kloet
- Leiden Academic Centre of Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - A M van Hemert
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - R H de Rijk
- DynaCorts Therapeutics, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
| | - A J W Van der Does
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kim JY, Wood RI. Anabolic-androgenic steroids and appetitive sexual behavior in male rats. Horm Behav 2014; 66:585-90. [PMID: 25200201 PMCID: PMC4253570 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) increase libido and sexual behavior, but the underlying behavioral mechanisms are unclear. One way AAS may enhance expression of sexual behavior is by increasing the willingness to work for sex. In the present study, sexually-experienced male rats received daily injections of testosterone at supraphysiologic doses (7.5 mg/kg in water with 13% cyclodextrin) or vehicle and were tested for appetitive sexual behavior measured by operant responding for access to an estrous female. Initially, rats were trained in their home cage to respond on a nose-poke under a 10-min fixed-interval schedule for food reward. Once rats achieved stable response rates, the food was replaced by a female, followed by mating for 10 min. There was no effect of testosterone on operant responding for food (28.1 ± 4.4 responses/10 min for testosterone, 30.6 ± 4.3 for vehicle) or sex (35.0 ± 4.0 responses/10 min for testosterone, 37.3 ± 5.2 for vehicle). However, rats made significantly more responses for sex than for food (p < 0.05), and responses for food and sex were positively correlated among individuals (R(2) = 0.6). Additional groups of rats were trained to respond on a lever for the female under a 2nd-order schedule of reinforcement, where 5 responses opened a door to show the female for 5s. After 15 door openings, the male gained access to the female. There was no effect of testosterone on time to complete 75 responses: 38.4 ± 7.8 min for vehicle controls vs 43.3 ± 6.6 min for testosterone-treated rats (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that chronic high-dose testosterone does not enhance appetitive drive for sexual behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Y Kim
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cooke GM, Taylor M, Bourque C, Curran I, Gurofsky S, Gill S. Effects of furan on male rat reproduction parameters in a 90-day gavage study. Reprod Toxicol 2014; 46:85-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
38
|
Testosterone enhances risk tolerance without altering motor impulsivity in male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 40:201-12. [PMID: 24485492 PMCID: PMC3919461 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) increase impulsive and uncontrolled aggressive ('roid rage) in humans and enhance agonistic behavior in animals. However, the underlying mechanisms for AAS-induced aggression remain unclear. Potential contributing elements include an increase risk-taking and/or motor impulsivity due to AAS. This study addressed the effects of chronic high-dose testosterone on risk tolerance using a risky decision-making task (RDT) and motor impulsivity with a go/no-go task in operant chambers. Male Long-Evans rats were treated for at least 4 weeks with testosterone (7.5mg/kg) or vehicle beginning in late adolescence. Testosterone was used because it is popular among human AAS users. In RDT testing, one lever was paired with delivery of a small "safe" food reward, while the other was paired with a large "risky" reward associated with an increasing risk of footshock (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) in successive test blocks. Three shock intensities were used: 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4mA/kg. As shock intensity and risk of shock increased, preference for the lever signifying a large reward significantly declined for both vehicle- and testosterone-treated rats (p<0.05). There was also a significant effect of drug (p<0.05), where testosterone-treated rats showed greater preference for the large reward, compared to vehicle-treated controls. Increased preference for the large reward, despite risk of footshock, is consistent with increased risk tolerance. In go/no-go testing, rats were trained to press a single lever if the go cue was presented (stimulus light) or to refrain from pressing during the no-go cue (tone). There was no effect of testosterone on pre-cue responses, or performance in go and no-go trials. These results suggest that AAS may increase risk-tolerance without altering motor impulsivity.
Collapse
|
39
|
Levels of Metals in Hair in Childhood: Preliminary Associations with Neuropsychological Behaviors. TOXICS 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/toxics2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|