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Mabry S, Bradshaw JL, Gardner JJ, Wilson EN, Cunningham RL. Sex-dependent effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia: implication for obstructive sleep apnea. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:38. [PMID: 38664845 PMCID: PMC11044342 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00613-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 10-26% of adults in the United States with known sex differences in prevalence and severity. OSA is characterized by elevated inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), and cognitive dysfunction. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the role of sex in the OSA phenotype. Prior findings suggest women exhibit different OSA phenotypes than men, which could result in under-reported OSA prevalence in women. To examine the relationship between OSA and sex, we used chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to model OSA in rats. We hypothesized that CIH would produce sex-dependent phenotypes of inflammation, OS, and cognitive dysfunction, and these sex differences would be dependent on mitochondrial oxidative stress (mtOS). METHODS Adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to CIH or normoxia for 14 days to examine the impact of sex on CIH-associated circulating inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), circulating steroid hormones, circulating OS, and behavior (recollective and spatial memory; gross and fine motor function; anxiety-like behaviors; and compulsive behaviors). Rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps containing either a mitochondria-targeting antioxidant (MitoTEMPOL) or saline vehicle 1 week prior to CIH initiation to examine how inhibiting mtOS would affect the CIH phenotype. RESULTS Sex-specific differences in CIH-induced inflammation, OS, motor function, and compulsive behavior were observed. In female rats, CIH increased inflammation (plasma IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio) and impaired fine motor function. Conversely, CIH elevated circulating OS and compulsivity in males. These sex-dependent effects of CIH were blocked by inhibiting mtOS. Interestingly, CIH impaired recollective memory in both sexes but these effects were not mediated by mtOS. No effects of CIH were observed on spatial memory, gross motor function, or anxiety-like behavior, regardless of sex. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the impact of CIH is dependent on sex, such as an inflammatory response and OS response in females and males, respectively, that are mediated by mtOS. Interestingly, there was no effect of sex or mtOS in CIH-induced impairment of recollective memory. These results indicate that mtOS is involved in the sex differences observed in CIH, but a different mechanism underlies CIH-induced memory impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Mabry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107-2699, USA
| | - Jessica L Bradshaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107-2699, USA
| | - Jennifer J Gardner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107-2699, USA
| | - E Nicole Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107-2699, USA
| | - Rebecca L Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107-2699, USA.
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Macedo BL, Veloso MF, Dias IB, Ayub JGM, Beijamini V. Sex differences in the anticompulsive-like effect of memantine: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway but not AMPA receptors. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114834. [PMID: 38142859 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Memantine, an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has been examined as a potential treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Yet, there is limited knowledge regarding how it works to reduce compulsive behaviour and whether it has different effects on individuals based on their sex. Herein, we investigated if there are sex differences in the anticompulsive-like effect of memantine in adult Swiss mice. Additionally, we explored whether the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors play a role in memantine's effects. To start, we assessed the impact of a single intraperitoneal dose of memantine (at 3, 5, and 10 mg/kg) on behaviours exhibited in the open field test (OFT) and the marble-burying test (MBT), the latter being a predictive test for anticompulsive effects. All doses of memantine reduced marble-burying behaviour in both male and female mice without affecting their locomotor activity in the OFT. This anticompulsive-like effect was also confirmed in another predictive test, the nest-building test, with the highest memantine dose (10 mg/kg) reducing nest-building behaviour without significant differences between male and female mice. We observed that pre-treatment with L-arginine, a NO precursor, mitigated the anticompulsive-like effect of memantine in male mice but had no effect in female mice in the MBT. Finally, NBQX, an AMPA receptor antagonist, did not block the anticompulsive-like effect of memantine. In summary, our study suggests that the anticompulsive-like effect of memantine does not appear to be sex-specific, does not depend on AMPA receptors, and involves the NO pathway primarily in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breno Lopes Macedo
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Mariana Friedrich Veloso
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Centre, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Isabella Braun Dias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Centre, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Júlia Grigorini Mori Ayub
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Beijamini
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Centre, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
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3
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Mabry S, Bradshaw JL, Gardner JJ, Wilson EN, Cunningham R. Sex-dependent effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia: Implication for obstructive sleep apnea. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3898670. [PMID: 38352622 PMCID: PMC10862974 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3898670/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 10-26% of adults in the United States with known sex differences in prevalence and severity. OSA is characterized by elevated inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), and cognitive dysfunction. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the role of sex in the OSA phenotype. Prior findings suggest women exhibit different OSA phenotypes than men, which could result in under-reported OSA prevalence in women. To examine the relationship between OSA and sex, we used chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to model OSA in rats. We hypothesized that CIH would produce sex-dependent phenotypes of inflammation, OS, and cognitive dysfunction, and these sex differences would be dependent on mitochondrial oxidative stress (mtOS). Methods Adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to CIH or normoxia for 14 days to examine the impact of sex on CIH-associated circulating inflammation (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), circulating OS, and behavior (recollective and spatial memory; gross and fine motor function; anxiety-like behaviors; and compulsive behaviors). A subset of rats was implanted with osmotic minipumps containing either a mitochondria-targeting antioxidant (MitoTEMPOL) or saline vehicle 1 week prior to CIH initiation to examine how inhibiting mtOS would affect the CIH phenotype. Results Sex-specific differences in CIH-induced inflammation, OS, motor function, and compulsive behavior were observed. In female rats, CIH increased inflammation (plasma IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio) and impaired fine motor function. Conversely, CIH elevated circulating OS and compulsivity in males. These sex-dependent effects of CIH were blocked by inhibiting mtOS. Interestingly, CIH impaired recollective memory in both sexes but these effects were not mediated by mtOS. No effects of CIH were observed on spatial memory, gross motor function, or anxiety-like behavior, regardless of sex. Conclusions Our results indicate that the impact of CIH is dependent on sex, such as an inflammatory response and OS response in females and males, respectively, that are mediated by mtOS. Interestingly, there was no effect of sex or mtOS in CIH-induced impairment of recollective memory. These results indicate that mtOS is involved in the sex differences observed in CIH, but a different mechanism underlies CIH-induced memory impairments.
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4
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Mabry S, Wilson EN, Bradshaw JL, Gardner JJ, Fadeyibi O, Vera E, Osikoya O, Cushen SC, Karamichos D, Goulopoulou S, Cunningham RL. Sex and age differences in social and cognitive function in offspring exposed to late gestational hypoxia. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:81. [PMID: 37951901 PMCID: PMC10640736 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00557-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational sleep apnea is a hypoxic sleep disorder that affects 8-26% of pregnancies and increases the risk for central nervous system dysfunction in offspring. Specifically, there are sex differences in the sensitivity of the fetal hippocampus to hypoxic insults, and hippocampal impairments are associated with social dysfunction, repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Yet, it is unclear whether gestational sleep apnea impacts these hippocampal-associated functions and if sex and age modify these effects. To examine the relationship between gestational sleep apnea and hippocampal-associated behaviors, we used chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to model late gestational sleep apnea in pregnant rats. We hypothesized that late gestational CIH would produce sex- and age-specific social, anxiety-like, repetitive, and cognitive impairments in offspring. METHODS Timed pregnant Long-Evans rats were exposed to CIH or room air normoxia from GD 15-19. Behavioral testing of offspring occurred during either puberty or young adulthood. To examine gestational hypoxia-induced behavioral phenotypes, we quantified hippocampal-associated behaviors (social function, repetitive behaviors, anxiety-like behaviors, and spatial memory and learning), hippocampal neuronal activity (glutamatergic NMDA receptors, dopamine transporter, monoamine oxidase-A, early growth response protein 1, and doublecortin), and circulating hormones in offspring. RESULTS Late gestational CIH induced sex- and age-specific differences in social, repetitive, and memory functions in offspring. In female pubertal offspring, CIH impaired social function, increased repetitive behaviors, and elevated circulating corticosterone levels but did not impact memory. In contrast, CIH transiently induced spatial memory dysfunction in pubertal male offspring but did not impact social or repetitive functions. Long-term effects of gestational CIH on social behaviors were only observed in female offspring, wherein CIH induced social disengagement and suppression of circulating corticosterone levels in young adulthood. No effects of gestational CIH were observed in anxiety-like behaviors, hippocampal neuronal activity, or circulating testosterone and estradiol levels, regardless of sex or age of offspring. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that hypoxia-associated pregnancy complications during late gestation can increase the risk for behavioral and physiological outcomes in offspring, such as social dysfunction, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairment, that are dependent on sex and age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Mabry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - E Nicole Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Jessica L Bradshaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Jennifer J Gardner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Oluwadarasimi Fadeyibi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Edward Vera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Oluwatobiloba Osikoya
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Spencer C Cushen
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Styliani Goulopoulou
- Departments of Basic Sciences, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rebecca L Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
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Maulik M, Looschen K, Smith C, Johnson K, Carman AF, Nagisetty C, Corriveau K, Salisbury C, Deschepper K, Michels M, Henderson-Redmond AN, Morgan DJ, Mitra S. Postpartum scarcity-adversity inflicts sex-specific cerebellar adaptations and reward behaviors in adolescence. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 231:173620. [PMID: 37625522 PMCID: PMC10565883 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173620] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Early life adversity in the form of poor postnatal care is a major developmental stressor impacting behavior later in life. Previous studies have shown the impact of early life stress on neurobehavioral abnormalities. Specifically, research has demonstrated how limited bedding and nesting (LBN) materials can cause behavioral deficits in adulthood. There is, however, a limited understanding of how LBN influences sex-specific neurobehavioral adaptation in adolescence, a developmental stage susceptible to psychiatric diseases including substance use disorder. LBN and stress-naive c57BL/6 adolescent male and female mouse offspring were tested for a battery of behaviors including open field, novel object recognition, elevated plus maze, social preference, and morphine-induced conditioned place preference. There was a significant sex-specific deficit in social preference in male mice exposed to LBN compared to stress-naïve counterparts and both LBN males and females had a higher preference towards the drug-paired chamber in the morphine-induced conditioned place preference test. These behavioral deficits were concomitant with sex-specific increases in the transcription factor, Klf9 in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of males. Further, mRNA levels of the circadian gene Bmal1, which is known to be transcriptionally regulated by Klf9, were decreased in the DCN. Since Bmal1 has recently been implicated in extracellular matrix modulation, we examined perineuronal nets (PNN) and observed depleted PNN in the DCN of males but not female LBN mice. Overall, we provide a novel understanding of how postpartum adversity impinges on the cerebellar extracellular matrix homeostasis, likely, through disruption of the circadian axis by Klf9 that might underlie sex-specific behavioral adaptations in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malabika Maulik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Kassandra Looschen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Colton Smith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Khyla Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Alaina F Carman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Cherishma Nagisetty
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Katilyn Corriveau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Colin Salisbury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Kayla Deschepper
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Madison Michels
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Angela N Henderson-Redmond
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Swarup Mitra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.
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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Mechanisms of pathogenesis and environmental moderators in preclinical models of compulsive-like behaviours. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106223. [PMID: 37423502 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) is an emergent class of psychiatric illnesses that contributes substantially to the global mental health disease burden. In particular, the prototypical illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has a profoundly deleterious effect on the quality of life of those with lived experience. Both clinical and preclinical studies have investigated the genetic and environmental influences contributing to the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Significant progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the genetics of OCD, along with the critical role of common environmental triggers (e.g., stress). Some of this progress can be attributed to the sophistication of rodent models used in the field, particularly genetic mutant models, which demonstrate promising construct, face, and predictive validity. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating how these genetic and environmental influences interact to precipitate the behavioural, cellular, and molecular changes that occur in OCD. In this review, we assert that preclinical studies offer a unique opportunity to carefully manipulate environmental and genetic factors, and in turn to interrogate gene-environment interactions and relevant downstream sequelae. Such studies may serve to provide a mechanistic framework to build our understanding of the pathogenesis of complex neuropsychiatric disorders such as OCD. Furthermore, understanding gene-environment interactions and pathogenic mechanisms will facilitate precision medicine and other future approaches to enhance treatment, reduce side-effects of therapeutic interventions, and improve the lives of those suffering from these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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7
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Mabry S, Wilson EN, Bradshaw JL, Gardner JJ, Fadeyibi O, Vera E, Osikoya O, Cushen SC, Karamichos D, Goulopoulou S, Cunningham RL. Sex and age differences in social and cognitive function in offspring exposed to late gestational hypoxia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2507737. [PMID: 37333114 PMCID: PMC10275064 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2507737/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Gestational sleep apnea affects 8-26% of pregnancies and can increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with social dysfunction, repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. To examine the relationship between gestational sleep apnea and ASD-associated behaviors, we used a chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) protocol between gestational days (GD) 15-19 in pregnant rats to model late gestational sleep apnea. We hypothesized that late gestational CIH would produce sex- and age-specific social, mood, and cognitive impairments in offspring. Methods Timed pregnant Long-Evans rats were exposed to CIH or room air normoxia from GD 15-19. Behavioral testing of offspring occurred during either puberty or young adulthood. To examine ASD-associated phenotypes, we quantified ASD-associated behaviors (social function, repetitive behaviors, anxiety-like behaviors, and spatial memory and learning), hippocampal activity (glutamatergic NMDA receptors, dopamine transporter, monoamine oxidase-A, EGR-1, and doublecortin), and circulating hormones in offspring. Results Late gestational CIH induced sex- and age-specific differences in social, repetitive and memory functions in offspring. These effects were mostly transient and present during puberty. In female pubertal offspring, CIH impaired social function, increased repetitive behaviors, and increased circulating corticosterone levels, but did not impact memory. In contrast, CIH transiently induced spatial memory dysfunction in pubertal male offspring but did not impact social or repetitive functions. Long-term effects of gestational CIH were only observed in female offspring, wherein CIH induced social disengagement and suppression of circulating corticosterone levels in young adulthood. No effects of gestational CIH were observed on anxiety-like behaviors, hippocampal activity, circulating testosterone levels, or circulating estradiol levels, regardless of sex or age of offspring. Conclusions Our results indicate that hypoxia-associated pregnancy complications during late gestation can increase the risk for ASD-associated behavioral and physiological outcomes, such as pubertal social dysfunction, corticosterone dysregulation, and memory impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Mabry
- UNTHSC: University of North Texas Health Science Center
| | | | | | | | | | - Edward Vera
- UNTHSC: University of North Texas Health Science Center
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8
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Corder KM, Hoffman JM, Sogorovic A, Austad SN. Behavioral comparison of the C57BL/6 inbred mouse strain and their CB6F1 siblings. Behav Processes 2023; 207:104836. [PMID: 36720324 PMCID: PMC10184519 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A large portion of basic biomedical research studies are conducted using genetically defined, inbred mouse strains. The C57BL/6 mouse strain is the most widely used genetic background in current rodent research. The rationale for using inbred strains is that all individuals are genetically identical with minimal phenotypic variation, allowing for more statistically powerful analyses. F1 hybrids between two inbred strains are also genetically identical to one another but are heterozygous at every locus at which the parental strains differ rather than homozygous. Both theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that this heterozygosity in F1 hybrids allow for potentially greater resilience in response to the inevitable stresses of laboratory environments. The purpose of this study was to characterize the differences in commonly used tests of physical performance (forelimb grip strength and rotarod) and anxiety-like behavior between the F1 hybrids created from BALB/c females mated to C57BL/6 males (called CB6F1 mice) and one of its parental strains, C57BL/6. We used a natural cross-fostering breeding scheme to minimize maternal care effects and emphasize the effects of genetic differences. We found significant correlations between anxiety-like behavioral measures and physical performance measures which are not traditionally associated with anxiety-like behavior, and which differ between strains. Findings from this study should be taken into consideration when designing behavioral studies and choosing model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn M Corder
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biology, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; Samford University, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229.
| | - Jessica M Hoffman
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biology, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
| | - Anamarija Sogorovic
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biology, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
| | - Steven N Austad
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biology, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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9
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Becegato M, Silva RH. Object recognition tasks in rats: Does sex matter? Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:970452. [PMID: 36035023 PMCID: PMC9412164 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.970452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novelty recognition tasks based on object exploration are frequently used for the evaluation of cognitive abilities and investigation of neurobiological and molecular aspects of memory in rodents. This is an interesting approach because variations of the object recognition tasks focus on different aspects of the memory events such as novelty, location, context, and combinations of these elements. Nevertheless, as in most animal neuroscience research, female subjects are underrepresented in object recognition studies. When studies include females, the particularities of this sex are not always considered. For example, appropriate controls for manipulations conducted exclusively in females (such as estrous cycle verification) are not included. In addition, interpretation of data is often based on standardizations conducted with male subjects. Despite that, females are frequently reported as deficient and unable to adequately perform some memory tests. Thus, our study aims to review studies that describe similarities and differences between male and female performances in the different variations of object recognition tasks. In summary, although females are commonly described with deficits and the articles emphasize sex differences, most published data reveal similar performances when sexes are compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Becegato
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina H. Silva
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- MaternaCiência, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Regina H. Silva,
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10
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The Early-Life «Programming» of Anxiety-Driven Behaviours in Adulthood as a Product of Predator-Driven Evolution. Evol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-022-09571-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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11
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Mitra S, Bult-Ito A. Bidirectional Behavioral Selection in Mice: A Novel Pre-clinical Approach to Examining Compulsivity. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:716619. [PMID: 34566718 PMCID: PMC8458042 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.716619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders (OCRD) is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders with no definitive etiology. The pathophysiological attributes of OCD are driven by a multitude of factors that involve polygenic mechanisms, gender, neurochemistry, physiological status, environmental exposures and complex interactions among these factors. Such complex intertwining of contributing factors imparts clinical heterogeneity to the disorder making it challenging for therapeutic intervention. Mouse strains selected for excessive levels of nest- building behavior exhibit a spontaneous, stable and predictable compulsive-like behavioral phenotype. These compulsive-like mice exhibit heterogeneity in expression of compulsive-like and other adjunct behaviors that might serve as a valuable animal equivalent for examining the interactions of genetics, sex and environmental factors in influencing the pathophysiology of OCD. The current review summarizes the existing findings on the compulsive-like mice that bolster their face, construct and predictive validity for studying various dimensions of compulsive and associated behaviors often reported in clinical OCD and OCRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Abel Bult-Ito
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- OCRD Biomed LLC, Fairbanks, AK, United States
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12
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Sex-Dependent Signatures, Time Frames and Longitudinal Fine-Tuning of the Marble Burying Test in Normal and AD-Pathological Aging Mice. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080994. [PMID: 34440198 PMCID: PMC8391620 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The marble burying (MB) test, a classical test based on the natural tendency of rodents to dig in diverse substrates and to bury small objects, is sensitive to some intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here, under emerging neuroethological quantitative and qualitative analysis, the MB performance of 12-month-old male and female 3xTg-AD mice for Alzheimer’s disease and age-matched counterparts of gold-standard C57BL6 strain with normal aging unveiled sex-dependent signatures. In addition, three temporal analyses, through the (1) time course of the performance, and (2) a repeated test schedule, identified the optimal time frames and schedules to detect sex- and genotype-dependent differences. Besides, a (3) longitudinal design from 12 to 16 months of age monitored the changes in the performance with aging, worsening in AD-mice, and modulation through the repeated test. In summary, the present results allow us to conclude that (1) the marble burying test is responsive to genotype, sex, aging, and its interactions; (2) the male sex was more sensitive to showing the AD-phenotype; (3) longitudinal assessment shows a reduction in females with AD pathology; (4) burying remains stable in repeated testing; (5) the time-course of marbles burying is useful; and (6) burying behavior most likely represents perseverative and/or stereotyped-like behavior rather than anxiety-like behavior in 3xTg-AD mice.
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Santana-Santana M, Bayascas JR, Giménez-Llort L. Fine-Tuning the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway Intensity by Sex and Genotype-Load: Sex-Dependent Homozygotic Threshold for Somatic Growth but Feminization of Anxious Phenotype in Middle-Aged PDK1 K465E Knock-In and Heterozygous Mice. Biomedicines 2021; 9:747. [PMID: 34203450 PMCID: PMC8301321 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), phenotypic differences among disorders may be explained by variations in the nature and degree of neural circuitry disruptions and/or dysfunctions modulated by several biological and environmental factors. We recently demonstrated the in vivo behavioral translation of tweaking the PI3K/Akt signaling, an essential pathway for regulating cellular processes and physiology, and its modulation through aging. Here we describe, for the first time, the in vivo behavioral impact of the sex and genetic-load tweaking this pathway. The anxiety-like phenotypes of 61 mature (11-14-month-old) male and female PDK1 K465E knock-in, heterozygous, and WT mice were studied. Forced (open-field) anxiogenic environmental conditions were sensitive to detect sex and genetic-load differences at middle age. Despite similar neophobia and horizontal activity among the six groups, females exhibited faster ethograms than males, with increased thigmotaxis, increased wall and bizarre rearing. Genotype-load unveiled increased anxiety in males, resembling female performances. The performance of mutants in naturalistic conditions (marble test) was normal. Homozygotic-load was needed for reduced somatic growth only in males. Factor interactions indicated the complex interplay in the elicitation of different negative valence system's items and the fine-tuning of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway intensity by genotype-load and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Santana-Santana
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08016 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08016 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José-Ramón Bayascas
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08016 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08016 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lydia Giménez-Llort
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08016 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08016 Barcelona, Spain
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14
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Social Nesting, Animal Welfare, and Disease Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041079. [PMID: 33918975 PMCID: PMC8070261 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Most standardized tools to evaluate welfare and disease progression in animals assess the individuals, while social behaviors are scarcely monitored, despite being useful to detecting acute illness and chronic and mental health problems. The main reason is that social behavior is complex and time-consuming. We are currently using the nests built by animals living together, a species-typical behavior naturally occurring in standard housing conditions, to monitor them. Here, we provide an example of its use to evaluate social deficits and the long-term effects of a neonatal tactile-proprioceptive sensorial treatment from postnatal day 1 to 21, in male and female adult mice modeling Alzheimer’s disease compared to mice with normal aging. Social nesting was worse in the mutants, mostly in males, since the number of days needed to build a perfect nest was longer or unsuccessful in a three-day test. Early life intervention was successful. Social nesting, easily included in housing routines, can be a useful tool to assess animal welfare, monitor disease progress, and evaluate potential risk factors and effects of preventive/therapeutical strategies. Other advantages, such as being a noninvasive, painless, simple, short, and low-cost, rend social nesting feasible to be implemented in most animal department settings. Abstract The assessment of welfare and disease progression in animal models is critical. Most tools rely on evaluating individual subjects, whereas social behaviors, also sensitive to acute illness, chronic diseases, or mental health, are scarcely monitored because they are complex and time-consuming. We propose the evaluation of social nesting, a species-typical behavior naturally occurring in standard housing conditions, for such behavioral monitoring. We provide an example of its use to evaluate social deficits and the long-term effects of neonatal tactile-proprioceptive sensorial stimulation from postnatal day 1 to 21, in male and female adult 3xTg-AD mice for Alzheimer’s disease compared to sex- and age-matched non-transgenic (NTg) counterparts with normal aging. Social nesting was sensitive to genotype (worse in 3xTg-AD mice), sex (worse in males), profile, and treatment (distinct time to observe the maximum score and incidence of the perfect nest). Since social nesting can be easily included in housing routines, this neuroethological approach can be useful for animal welfare, monitoring the disease’s progress, and evaluating potential risk factors and effects of preventive/therapeutical strategies. Finally, the noninvasive, painless, simple, short time, and low-cost features of this home-cage monitoring are advantages that make social nesting feasible to be successfully implemented in most animal department settings.
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15
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Franceschini A, Fattore L. Gender-specific approach in psychiatric diseases: Because sex matters. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 896:173895. [PMID: 33508283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In both animals and human beings, males and females differ in their genetic background and hormonally driven behaviour and show sex-related differences in brain activity and response to internal and external stimuli. Gender-specific medicine has been a neglected dimension of medicine for long time, and only in the last three decades it is receiving the due scientific and clinical attention. Research has recently begun to identify factors that could provide a neurobiological basis for gender-based differences in health and disease and to point to gonadal hormones as important determinants of male-female differences. Animal studies have been of great help in understanding factors contributing to sex-dependent differences and sex hormones action. Here we review and discuss evidence provided by clinical and animal studies in the last two decades showing gender (in humans) and sex (in animals) differences in selected psychiatric disorders, namely eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder), schizophrenia, mood disorders (anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder) and neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Franceschini
- Addictive Behaviors Department, Local Health Authority, Trento, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Italy.
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16
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Gimenez-Llort L, Alveal-Mellado D. Digging Signatures in 13-Month-Old 3xTg-AD Mice for Alzheimer's Disease and Its Disruption by Isolation Despite Social Life Since They Were Born. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:611384. [PMID: 33536883 PMCID: PMC7847935 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.611384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The severity of this pandemic's scenarios will leave significant psychological traces in low resistant and resilient individuals. Increased incidence of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder has already been reported. The loss of human lives and the implementation of physical distance measures in the pandemic and post-COVID scenarios may have a greater impact on the elderly, mostly in those with dementia, as OCD and other neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are quite prevalent in this population. Modeling NPS in animals relies in neuroethological perspectives since the response to new situations and traumatic events, critical for survival and adaptation to the environment, is strongly preserved in the phylogeny. In the laboratory, mice dig vigorously in deep bedding to bury food pellets or small objects they may find. This behavior, initially used to screen anxiolytic activity, was later proposed to model better meaningless repetitive and perseverative behaviors characteristic of OCD or autism spectrum disorders. Other authors found that digging can also be understood as part of the expression of the animals' general activity. In the present brief report, we studied the digging ethograms in 13-month-old non-transgenic and 3xTg-AD mice modeling normal aging and advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD), respectively. This genetic model presents AD-like cognitive dysfunction and NPS-like phenotype, with high mortality rates at this age, mostly in males. This allowed us to observe the digging pattern's disruption in a subgroup of 3xTg-AD mice that survived to their cage mates. Two digging paradigms involving different anxiogenic and contextual situations were used to investigate their behavior. The temporal course and intensity of digging were found to increase in those 3xTg-AD mice that had lost their "room partners" despite having lived in social structures since they were born. However, when tested under neophobia conditions, this behavior's incidence was low (delayed), and the temporal pattern was disrupted, suggesting worsening of this NPS-like profile. The outcomes showed that this combined behavioral paradigm unveiled distinct features of digging signatures that can be useful to study these perseverative behaviors and their interplay with anxiety states already present in the AD scenario and their worsening by naturalistic/forced isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Gimenez-Llort
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Alveal-Mellado
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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17
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Moore SJ, Murphy GG, Cazares VA. Turning strains into strengths for understanding psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:3164-3177. [PMID: 32404949 PMCID: PMC7666068 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0772-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity in the development of new mechanistic insights and therapeutic approaches for treating psychiatric disease. One of the major challenges is reflected in the growing consensus that risk for these diseases is not determined by a single gene, but rather is polygenic, arising from the action and interaction of multiple genes. Canonically, experimental models in mice have been designed to ascertain the relative contribution of a single gene to a disease by systematic manipulation (e.g., mutation or deletion) of a known candidate gene. Because these studies have been largely carried out using inbred isogenic mouse strains, in which there is no (or very little) genetic diversity among subjects, it is difficult to identify unique allelic variants, gene modifiers, and epigenetic factors that strongly affect the nature and severity of these diseases. Here, we review various methods that take advantage of existing genetic diversity or that increase genetic variance in mouse models to (1) strengthen conclusions of single-gene function; (2) model diversity among human populations; and (3) dissect complex phenotypes that arise from the actions of multiple genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon J Moore
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute & Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute & Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Victor A Cazares
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute & Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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18
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Szechtman H, Harvey BH, Woody EZ, Hoffman KL. The Psychopharmacology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Preclinical Roadmap. Pharmacol Rev 2020; 72:80-151. [PMID: 31826934 DOI: 10.1124/pr.119.017772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This review evaluates current knowledge about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with the goal of providing a roadmap for future directions in research on the psychopharmacology of the disorder. It first addresses issues in the description and diagnosis of OCD, including the structure, measurement, and appropriate description of the disorder and issues of differential diagnosis. Current pharmacotherapies for OCD are then reviewed, including monotherapy with serotonin reuptake inhibitors and augmentation with antipsychotic medication and with psychologic treatment. Neuromodulatory therapies for OCD are also described, including psychosurgery, deep brain stimulation, and noninvasive brain stimulation. Psychotherapies for OCD are then reviewed, focusing on behavior therapy, including exposure and response prevention and cognitive therapy, and the efficacy of these interventions is discussed, touching on issues such as the timing of sessions, the adjunctive role of pharmacotherapy, and the underlying mechanisms. Next, current research on the neurobiology of OCD is examined, including work probing the role of various neurotransmitters and other endogenous processes and etiology as clues to the neurobiological fault that may underlie OCD. A new perspective on preclinical research is advanced, using the Research Domain Criteria to propose an adaptationist viewpoint that regards OCD as the dysfunction of a normal motivational system. A systems-design approach introduces the security motivation system (SMS) theory of OCD as a framework for research. Finally, a new perspective on psychopharmacological research for OCD is advanced, exploring three approaches: boosting infrastructure facilities of the brain, facilitating psychotherapeutic relearning, and targeting specific pathways of the SMS network to fix deficient SMS shut-down processes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A significant proportion of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) do not achieve remission with current treatments, indicating the need for innovations in psychopharmacology for the disorder. OCD may be conceptualized as the dysfunction of a normal, special motivation system that evolved to manage the prospect of potential danger. This perspective, together with a wide-ranging review of the literature, suggests novel directions for psychopharmacological research, including boosting support systems of the brain, facilitating relearning that occurs in psychotherapy, and targeting specific pathways in the brain that provide deficient stopping processes in OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Szechtman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (H.S.); SAMRC Unit on Risk Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, and Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa (B.H.H.); Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (E.Z.W.); and Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico (K.L.H.)
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (H.S.); SAMRC Unit on Risk Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, and Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa (B.H.H.); Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (E.Z.W.); and Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico (K.L.H.)
| | - Erik Z Woody
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (H.S.); SAMRC Unit on Risk Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, and Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa (B.H.H.); Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (E.Z.W.); and Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico (K.L.H.)
| | - Kurt Leroy Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (H.S.); SAMRC Unit on Risk Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, and Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa (B.H.H.); Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (E.Z.W.); and Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico (K.L.H.)
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19
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Trait specific modulatory effects of caffeine exposure on compulsive-like behaviors in a spontaneous mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behav Pharmacol 2020; 31:622-632. [PMID: 32427622 PMCID: PMC7495980 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by recurring intrusive thoughts and repetitive compulsive behaviors, ultimately interfering with their quality of life. The complex heterogeneity of symptom dimensions across OCD patient subgroups impedes diagnosis and treatment. The core and comorbid symptomologies of OCD are thought to be modulated by common environmental exposures such as consumption of the psychostimulant caffeine. The effect of caffeine on the expression of obsessions and compulsions are unexplored. The current study utilized mouse strains (HA) with a spontaneous, predictable, and stable compulsive-like phenotype that have face, predictive, and construct validity for OCD. We demonstrate that an acute high dose (25 mg/kg) of caffeine decreased compulsive-like nest-building behavior in the HA strains in the first hour after injection. However, nest-building scores increased in hours 3, 4, and 5 after administration finally decreasing over a 24 h period. In contrast, a high dose of chronic caffeine (25 mg/kg/d) increased nest-building behavior. Interestingly for compulsive-like digging behavior, acute exposure to a high dose of caffeine decreased the number of marbles buried, while chronic exposure had little effect. An acute high dose of caffeine decreased anxiety-like and motor activity in open field behaviors whereas chronic caffeine administration did not have any overall effect on open field activity. The results, therefore, suggest a complex role of caffeine on compulsive-like, anxiety-like, and locomotor behaviors that is dependent on the duration of exposure.
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20
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Recent perspectives on orexin/hypocretin promotion of addiction-related behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2020; 168:108013. [PMID: 32092435 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide hypocretin/orexin plays a broad and important role in physiological functions ranging from addiction, stress, and anxiety to sleep, energy metabolism, and homeostatic regulation. A number of recent reviews addressing the importance of orexin for different addictive behaviors, especially the contribution of orexin-1-receptors (Ox1Rs) in responding for intoxicants in higher-motivation individuals and situations, and orexin-2-receptor (Ox2Rs) in stress-related aspects of addictive responding. This may parallel the importance of more lateral orexin neurons in the hypothalamus for reward and more medial for stress and arousal. However, there is clearly also some crossover, which may reflect, in part, where positive and negative conditioning (reward- and relief-seeking) are both present concurrently in established addiction, and also where orexin signaling can differ in subregions of a particular brain region. Here, we attempt to examine and synthesize some of the most recent work addressing orexin functions in addiction, including a particular role for Ox1Rs for driving responding in higher-motivation individuals and under higher levels of effort. While there are some commonalities across addictive substances addressed here (alcohol, cocaine, opiates), there are also some differences, which may relate to several factors including the speed of intoxication with a given substance. Together, recent findings have shed important insight and clues into what a more unified role of Ox1Rs might entail, and critical areas for future work. In addition, these many studies support the development of Ox1R blockers for use in humans to counteract addiction and other disorders of motivation. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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21
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Corder KM, Li Q, Cortes MA, Bartley AF, Davis TR, Dobrunz LE. Overexpression of neuropeptide Y decreases responsiveness to neuropeptide Y. Neuropeptides 2020; 79:101979. [PMID: 31708112 PMCID: PMC6960342 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2019.101979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an endogenous neuropeptide that is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system. NPY is involved in various neurological processes and neuropsychiatric disorders, including fear learning and anxiety disorders. Reduced levels of NPY are reported in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients, and NPY has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for PTSD. It is therefore important to understand the effects of chronic enhancement of NPY on anxiety and fear learning. Previous studies have shown that acute elevation of NPY reduces anxiety, fear learning and locomotor activity. Models of chronic NPY overexpression have produced mixed results, possibly caused by ectopic NPY expression. NPY is expressed primarily by a subset of GABAergic interneurons, providing specific spatiotemporal release patterns. Administration of exogenous NPY throughout the brain, or overexpression in cells that do not normally release NPY, can have detrimental side effects, including memory impairment. In order to determine the effects of boosting NPY only in the cells that normally release it, we utilized a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses NPY only in NPY+ cells. We tested for effects on anxiety related behaviors in adolescent mice, an age with high incidence of anxiety disorders in humans. Surprisingly, we did not observe the expected reduction in anxiety-like behavior in NPY overexpression mice. There was no change in fear learning behavior, although there was a deficit in nest building. The effect of exogenous NPY on synaptic transmission in acute hippocampal slices was also diminished, indicating that the function of NPY receptors is impaired. Reduced NPY receptor function could contribute to the unexpected behavioral outcomes. We conclude that overexpression of NPY, even in cells that normally express it, can lead to reduced responsiveness of NPY receptors, potentially affecting the ability of NPY to function as a long-term therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn M Corder
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biology, 1670 University Blvd., VH G133B, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States of America
| | - Qin Li
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Mariana A Cortes
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Aundrea F Bartley
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Taylor R Davis
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Lynn E Dobrunz
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, 1825 University Blvd, SHEL 971, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America.
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Derksen M, Feenstra M, Willuhn I, Denys D. The serotonergic system in obsessive-compulsive disorder. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64125-0.00044-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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23
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Gomes JAS, Oliveira MC, Gobira PH, Silva GC, Marçal AP, Gomes GF, Ferrari CZ, Lemos VS, Oliveira ACPD, Vieira LB, Ferreira AVM, Aguiar DC. A high-refined carbohydrate diet facilitates compulsive-like behavior in mice through the nitric oxide pathway. Nitric Oxide 2018; 80:61-69. [PMID: 30125695 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is characterized by abnormal adipose tissue expansion and is associated with chronic inflammation. Obesity itself may induce several comorbidities, including psychiatric disorders. It has been previously demonstrated that proinflammatory cytokines are able to up-regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) release, which both have a role in compulsive related behaviors. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether acute or chronic consumption of a high-refined carbohydrate-containing (HC) diet will modify burying-behavior in the Marble Burying Test (MBT) through augmentation of NO signaling in the striatum, a brain region related to the reward system. Further, we also verified the effects of chronic consumption of a HC diet on the reinforcing effects induced by cocaine in the Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) test. METHODS Male BALB/c mice received a standard diet (control diet) or a HC diet for 3 days or 12 weeks. RESULTS An increase in burying behavior occurred in the MBT after chronic consumption of a HC diet that was associated with an increase of nitrite levels in the striatum. The pre-treatment with Aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg), a preferential inhibitor of iNOS, prevented such alterations. Additionally, a chronic HC diet also induced a higher expression of iNOS in this region and higher glutamate release from striatal synaptosomes. Neither statistical differences were observed in the expression levels of the neuronal isoform of NOS nor in microglia number and activation. Finally, the reinforcing effects induced by cocaine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) during the expression of the conditioned response in the CPP test were not different between the chronically HC diet fed mice and the control group. However, HC diet-feeding mice presented impairment of cocaine-preference extinction. CONCLUSION Altogether, our results suggest that the chronic consumption of a HC diet induces compulsive-like behavior through a mechanism possibly associated with NO activation in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Ariana Souza Gomes
- Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marina C Oliveira
- Departmento de Nutrição, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Gobira
- Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Grazielle C Silva
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Cardiovascular, Departmento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Anna Paula Marçal
- Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Freitas Gomes
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departmento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carolina Zaniboni Ferrari
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departmento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Virginia Soares Lemos
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Cardiovascular, Departmento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Luciene Bruno Vieira
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departmento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Adaliene V M Ferreira
- Departmento de Nutrição, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniele C Aguiar
- Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Prefrontal cortex-dependent innate behaviors are altered by selective knockdown of Gad1 in neuropeptide Y interneurons. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200809. [PMID: 30024942 PMCID: PMC6053188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAergic dysfunction has been implicated in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychiatric disorder during adolescence. There is a deficiency of GABAergic transmission in anxiety, and enhancement of GABA transmission through pharmacological means reduces anxiety behaviors. GAD67—the enzyme responsible for GABA production–has been linked to anxiety disorders. One class of GABAergic interneurons, Neuropeptide Y (NPY) expressing cells, is abundantly found in brain regions associated with anxiety and fear learning, including prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Additionally, NPY itself has been shown to have anxiolytic effects, and loss of NPY+ interneurons enhances anxiety behaviors. A previous study showed that knockdown of Gad1 from NPY+ cells led to reduced anxiety behaviors in adult mice. However, the role of GABA release from NPY+ interneurons in adolescent anxiety is unclear. Here we used a transgenic mouse that reduces GAD67 in NPY+ cells (NPYGAD1-TG) through Gad1 knockdown and tested for effects on behavior in adolescent mice. Adolescent NPYGAD1-TG mice showed enhanced anxiety-like behavior and sex-dependent changes in locomotor activity. We also found enhancement in two other innate behavioral tasks, nesting construction and social dominance. In contrast, fear learning was unchanged. Because we saw changes in behavioral tasks dependent upon prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, we investigated the extent of GAD67 knockdown in these regions. Immunohistochemistry revealed a 40% decrease in GAD67 in NPY+ cells in prefrontal cortex, indicating a significant but incomplete knockdown of GAD67. In contrast, there was no decrease in GAD67 in NPY+ cells in hippocampus. Consistent with this, there was no change in inhibitory synaptic transmission in hippocampus. Our results show the behavioral impact of cell-specific interneuron dysfunction and suggest that GABA release by NPY+ cells is important for regulating innate prefrontal cortex-dependent behavior in adolescents.
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Maravet Baig K, Su SC, Mumford SL, Giuliani E, Ng SSM, Armstrong C, Keil MF, Vaught KC, Olsen N, Pettiford E, Burd I, Segars JH. Mice deficient in AKAP13 (BRX) develop compulsive-like behavior and increased body weight. Brain Res Bull 2018; 140:72-79. [PMID: 29653158 PMCID: PMC6045963 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.04.005] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hormonal contributions to the sex-dependent development of both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obesity have been described, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. A-kinase anchoring protein 13 (AKAP13) significantly augments ligand-dependent activation of estrogen receptors alpha and beta. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are implicated in the development and exacerbation of OCD and obesity and have strong AKAP13 expression. The AKAP13 localization pattern observed in these key brain regions together with its effects on sex steroid action suggest a potential role for AKAP13 in compulsive-like behaviors. Here we tested the role of AKAP13 in compulsive-like behavior and body weight using an Akap13 haploinsufficient murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Targeted deletion of the Akap13 gene generated haploinsufficient (Akap13+/-) mice in a C57BL6/J genetic background. Established behavioral assays were conducted, video recorded, and scored blindly to assess compulsive-like behavior based on genotype and gender. Tests included: marble-burying, grooming, open- field and elevated plus-maze. Brain and body weights were also obtained. Mean levels of test outcomes were compared using multi-way ANOVA to test for genotype, sex, genotype*sex, and genotype*sex*age interaction effects with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons, to further explain any significant interactions. RESULTS The marble-burying and grooming assays revealed significant sex-dependent increases in perseverative, compulsive-like behaviors in female Akap13 haploinsufficient mice compared to female wild type (WT) mice by demonstrating increased marble-burying activity (p = .0025) and a trend towards increased grooming behavior (p = .06). Male Akap13 haploinsufficient mice exhibited no behavioral changes (p > 0.05). Elevated plus-maze and open-field test results showed no overt anxiety-like behavior in Akap13 haploinsufficient mice irrespective of sex (p > 0.05, both). No differences in brain weight were found in Akap13 haploinsufficient mice compared to WT mice (p > 0.05). However, female Akap13 haploinsufficient mice weighed more than female WT mice in the 4 to <7 months age range (p = .0051). Male Akap13 haploinsufficient mice showed no differences in weight compared to male WT mice (p = >0.05) at any age range examined. CONCLUSION Akap13 haploinsufficiency led to sex-dependent, compulsive-like behavioral changes in a murine model. Interestingly, Akap13 haploinsufficiency also led to a sex-dependent increase in body weight. These results revealed a requirement for AKAP13 in murine behavior, particularly in female mice, and is the first report of AKAP13 involvement in murine behavior. Future studies may examine the involvement of AKAP13 in the pathophysiology of OCD in female humans and may contribute to a better understanding of the role of AKAP13 and sex hormones in the development and exacerbation of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Maravet Baig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, United States; Eunice Kennedy Shriver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Szu-Chi Su
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Sunni L Mumford
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Emma Giuliani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners/Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
| | - Sinnie Sin Man Ng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Charles Armstrong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Margaret F Keil
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Kamaria Cayton Vaught
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Nils Olsen
- Organizational Sciences and Communications Department, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 20052, United States
| | - Elyse Pettiford
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Irina Burd
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - James H Segars
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
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Mitra S, Bult-Ito A. Attenuation of compulsive-like behavior by fluvoxamine in a non-induced mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behav Pharmacol 2018; 29:299-305. [PMID: 29035919 PMCID: PMC5899065 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The current study evaluated the role of strain and compulsive trait differences in response to fluvoxamine, a common obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) drug, in two different mouse strains (BIG1 and BIG2) with a spontaneous compulsive-like phenotype. For compulsive-like nest-building behavior, dose-dependent attenuation of nesting by fluvoxamine was observed for the BIG1 compulsive-like strain during the first hour after administration. No significant differences were found for the BIG2 strain during the first hour, although a dose-dependent trend similar to that in the BIG1 strain was observed. Fluvoxamine dose dependently decreased the number of marbles buried in both strains 1 h after administration. For anxiety-like behaviors in the open field, no significant drug effects were found for the latency to leave the center and the number of line crossings. Significant strain differences were observed, with the BIG2 strain showing higher anxiety-like behaviors and reduced locomotor activity compared with the BIG1 strain. Consequently, this study adds predictive validity to our mouse model of OCD, whereas the anxiety-like differences between the strains add heterogeneity to our mouse model, similar to the heterogeneity observed in OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
- IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
| | - Abel Bult-Ito
- Department of Biology & Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
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Egashira N, Kubota N, Goto Y, Watanabe T, Kubota K, Katsurabayashi S, Iwasaki K. The antipsychotic trifluoperazine reduces marble-burying behavior in mice via D 2 and 5-HT 2A receptors: Implications for obsessive–compulsive disorder. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 165:9-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Winter C, Greene DM, Mavrogiorgou P, Schaper H, Sohr R, Bult-Ito A, Juckel G. Altered serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmission in a mice model of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behav Brain Res 2018; 337:240-245. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Sanathara NM, Garau C, Alachkar A, Wang L, Wang Z, Nishimori K, Xu X, Civelli O. Melanin concentrating hormone modulates oxytocin-mediated marble burying. Neuropharmacology 2018; 128:22-32. [PMID: 28888943 PMCID: PMC5830107 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive and perseverative behaviors are common features of a number of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Angelman's syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. The oxytocin system has been linked to the regulation of repetitive behavior in both animal models and humans, but many of its downstream targets have still to be found. We report that the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system is a target of the oxytocin system in regulating one repetitive behavior, marble burying. First we report that nearly 60% of MCH neurons express oxytocin receptors, and demonstrate using rabies mediated tract tracing that MCH neurons receive direct presynaptic input from oxytocin neurons. Then we show that MCH receptor knockout (MCHR1KO) mice and MCH ablated animals display increased marble burying response while central MCH infusion decreases it. Finally, we demonstrate the downstream role of the MCH system on oxytocin mediated marble burying by showing that central infusions of MCH and oxytocin alone or together reduce it while antagonizing the MCH system blocks oxytocin-mediated reduction of this behavior. Our findings reveal a novel role for the MCH system as a mediator of the role of oxytocin in regulating marble-burying behavior in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayna M Sanathara
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Celia Garau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Amal Alachkar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Lien Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 1-1 Tsutsumidori-Amamiyamachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 981-8555, Japan
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Olivier Civelli
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Mitra S, Mucha M, Owen S, Bult-Ito A. Postpartum Lactation-Mediated Behavioral Outcomes and Drug Responses in a Spontaneous Mouse Model of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2683-2697. [PMID: 28945961 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a spontaneous mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the current study evaluated the influence of postpartum lactation on the expression of compulsive-like behaviors, SSRI effectiveness, and the putative role of oxytocin and dopamine in mediating these lactation specific behavioral outcomes. Compulsive-like lactating mice were less compulsive-like in nest building and marble burying and showed enhanced responsiveness to fluoxetine (50 mg/kg) in comparison to compulsive-like nonlactating and nulliparous females. Lactating mice exhibited more anxiety-like behavior in the open field test compared to the nulliparous females, while chronic fluoxetine reduced anxiety-like behaviors. Blocking the oxytocin receptor with L368-899 (5 mg/kg) in the lactating mice exacerbated the compulsive-like and depression-like behaviors. The dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonist bromocriptine (10 mg/kg) suppressed marble burying, nest building, and central entries in the open field, but because it also suppressed overall locomotion in the open field, activation of the D2R receptor may have inhibited overall activity nonspecifically. Lactation- and fluoxetine-mediated behavioral outcomes in compulsive-like mice, therefore, appear to be partly regulated by oxytocinergic mechanisms. Serotonin immunoreactivity and serum levels were higher in lactating compulsive-like mice compared to nonlactating and nulliparous compulsive-like females. Together, these results suggest behavioral modulation, serotonergic alterations, and changes in SSRI effectiveness during lactation in compulsive-like mice. This warrants further investigation of postpartum events in OCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
- IDeA
Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - McKenzie Mucha
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Savanah Owen
- Department of Biology & Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Abel Bult-Ito
- Department of Biology & Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
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