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Moran KM, Delville Y. A hamster model for stress-induced weight gain. Horm Behav 2024; 160:105488. [PMID: 38306877 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
This review addresses the translational relevance of animal models of stress and their effects on body weight. In humans, stress, whether chronic or acute, has often been associated with increased food intake and weight gain. In view of the current obesity epidemic, this phenomenon is especially relevant. Such observations contrast with reports with commonly used laboratory animals, especially rats and mice. In these species, it is common to find individuals gaining less weight under stress, even with potent social stressors. However, there are laboratory species that present increased appetite and weight gain under stress, such as golden hamsters. Furthermore, these animals also include metabolic and behavioral similarities with humans, including hoarding behavior which is also enhanced under stress. Consequently, we propose that our comparative perspective provides useful insights for future research on the development of obesity in humans as a consequence of chronic stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Moran
- Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, USA.
| | - Yvon Delville
- Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
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2
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Valencia-Cifuentes V, Cañas CA, Rivas JC. Major depression associated with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system mimicking frontotemporal dementia: a case report. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1266419. [PMID: 37779626 PMCID: PMC10535084 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1266419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This case illustrates the adverse cognitive and affective effects associated with the use of an intrauterine hormonal contraceptive, which could be confused with symptoms of early onset dementia. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with seronegative spondyloarthropathy who subsequently developed anxiety and depressive symptoms after the implantation of a Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS). Three years later, she began to experience memory and attentional failures, refractory pain, and severe depression. The progression of psychiatric symptoms led to a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder and treatment with antidepressants and anxiolytics. Due to cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, autoimmune encephalitis was considered, but no improvement was shown with treatment. Early onset dementia was suspected, and a brain PET scan revealed frontal lobe hypometabolism. An adverse effect of LNG-IUS was considered; after its removal, mood and cognitive function improvements were observed. This case report emphasizes the importance of considering organic causes of unexplained psychiatric manifestations and highlights the potential impact of hormonal interventions on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Valencia-Cifuentes
- Department of Neurology, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Carlos A. Cañas
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad ICESI, CIRAT: Centro de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Rheumatology, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Rivas
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Psychiatry, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
- Hospital Departamental Psiquiátrico, Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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Bäckström T, Bengtsson SKS, Sjöstedt J, Malinina E, Johansson M, Ragagnin G, Ekberg K, Lundgren P. Isoallopregnanolone Inhibits Estrus Cycle-Dependent Aggressive Behavior. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1017. [PMID: 37371597 DOI: 10.3390/biom13061017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Among female rats, some individuals show estrus cycle-dependent irritability/aggressive behaviors, and these individual rats may be used as a model for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We wanted to investigate if these behaviors are related to the estrus cycle phase containing moderately increased levels of positive GABA-A receptor-modulating steroids (steroid-PAM), especially allopregnanolone (ALLO), and if the adverse behavior can be antagonized. The electrophysiology studies in this paper show that isoallopregnanolone (ISO) is a GABA-A-modulating steroid antagonist (GAMSA), meaning that ISO can antagonize the agonistic effects of positive GABA-A receptor-modulating steroids in both α1β2γ2L and α4β3δ GABA-A receptor subtypes. In this study, we also investigated whether ISO could antagonize the estrus cycle-dependent aggressive behaviors in female Wistar rats using a resident-intruder test. Our results confirmed previous reports of estrus cycle-dependent behaviors in that 42% of the tested rats showed higher levels of irritability/aggression at diestrus compared to those at estrus. Furthermore, we found that, during the treatment with ISO, the aggressive behavior at diestrus was alleviated to a level comparable to that of estrus. We noticed an 89% reduction in the increase in aggressive behavior at diestrus compared to that at estrus. Vehicle treatment in the same animals showed a minimal effect on the diestrus-related aggressive behavior. In conclusion, we showed that ISO can antagonize Steroid-PAM both in α1β2γ2L and α4β3δ GABA-A receptor subtypes and inhibit estrus cycle-dependent aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn Bäckström
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
| | - Sara K S Bengtsson
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
| | - Jessica Sjöstedt
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
| | - Evgenya Malinina
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
| | - Maja Johansson
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
| | - Gianna Ragagnin
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
| | - Karin Ekberg
- Asarina Pharma AB, Fogdevreten 2, SE-171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Per Lundgren
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umea, Sweden
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Fu Y, Hu J, Erasmus MA, Zhang H, Johnson TA, Cheng H. Cecal microbiota transplantation: unique influence of cecal microbiota from divergently selected inbred donor lines on cecal microbial profile, serotonergic activity, and aggressive behavior of recipient chickens. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:66. [PMID: 37127691 PMCID: PMC10152610 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00866-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence from human trials and rodent studies has indicated that modulation of gut microbiota affects host physiological homeostasis and behavioral characteristics. Similarly, alterations in gut microbiota could be a feasible strategy for reducing aggressive behavior and improving health in chickens. The study was conducted to determine the effects of early-life cecal microbiota transplantation (CMT) on cecal microbial composition, brain serotonergic activity, and aggressive behavior of recipient chickens. METHODS Chicken lines 63 and 72 with nonaggressive and aggressive behavior, respectively, were used as donors and a commercial strain Dekalb XL was used as recipients for CMT. Eighty-four 1-d-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments with 7 cages per treatment and 4 chickens per cage (n = 7): saline (control, CTRL), cecal solution of line 63 (63-CMT), and cecal solution of line 72 (72-CMT). Transplantation was conducted via oral gavage once daily from d 1 to 10, and then boosted once weekly from week 3 to 5. At weeks 5 and 16, home-cage behavior was recorded, and chickens with similar body weights were assigned to paired aggression tests between the treatments. Samples of blood, brain, and cecal content were collected from the post-tested chickens to detect CMT-induced biological and microbiota changes. RESULTS 63-CMT chickens displayed less aggressive behavior with a higher hypothalamic serotonergic activity at week 5. Correspondingly, two amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to Lachnospiraceae and one Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 ASV were positively correlated with the levels of brain tryptophan and serotonin, respectively. 72-CMT chickens had lower levels of brain norepinephrine and dopamine at week 5 with higher levels of plasma serotonin and tryptophan at week 16. ASVs belonging to Mollicutes RF39 and GCA-900066225 in 72-CMT chickens were negatively correlated with the brain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) at week 5, and one Bacteroides ASV was negatively correlated with plasma serotonin at week 16. CONCLUSION Results indicate that CMT at an early age could regulate aggressive behavior via modulating the cecal microbial composition, together with central serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems in recipient chickens. The selected CMT could be a novel strategy for reducing aggressive behavior through regulating signaling along the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuechi Fu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jiaying Hu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Marisa A Erasmus
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Huanmin Zhang
- Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Timothy A Johnson
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
| | - Hengwei Cheng
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Gatta E, Camussi D, Auta J, Guidotti A, Pandey SC. Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone) and alcohol use disorder: From mechanisms to potential pharmacotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108299. [PMID: 36323379 PMCID: PMC9810076 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a multifaceted relapsing disorder that is commonly comorbid with psychiatric disorders, including anxiety. Alcohol exposure produces a plethora of effects on neurobiology. Currently, therapeutic strategies are limited, and only a few treatments - disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone - are available. Given the complexity of this disorder, there is a great need for the identification of novel targets to develop new pharmacotherapy. The GABAergic system, the primary inhibitory system in the brain, is one of the well-known targets for alcohol and is responsible for the anxiolytic effects of alcohol. Interestingly, GABAergic neurotransmission is fine-tuned by neuroactive steroids that exert a regulatory role on several endocrine systems involved in neuropsychiatric disorders including AUD. Mounting evidence indicates that alcohol alters the biosynthesis of neurosteroids, whereas acute alcohol increases and chronic alcohol decreases allopregnanolone levels. Our recent work highlighted that chronic alcohol-induced changes in neurosteroid levels are mediated by epigenetic modifications, e.g., DNA methylation, affecting key enzymes involved in neurosteroid biosynthesis. These changes were associated with changes in GABAA receptor subunit expression, suggesting an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in AUD. This review will recapitulate the role of neurosteroids in the regulation of the neuroendocrine system, highlight their role in the observed allostatic load in AUD, and develop a framework from mechanisms to potential pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gatta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Diletta Camussi
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - James Auta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Alessandro Guidotti
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Hernandez GD, Brinton RD. Allopregnanolone: Regenerative therapeutic to restore neurological health. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 21:100502. [PMID: 36532370 PMCID: PMC9755066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress has been proposed as a driver of altered brain structure and function, including the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and a driver of disease progression. A key outcome of stress in the brain is structural remodeling of neural architecture, which may be a sign of successful adaptation, whereas persistence of these changes when stress ends indicate failed resilience. Neuroendocrine homeostasis and stress response are mainly dependent upon the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Neurosteroids will fluctuate depending on whether the stress is acute or chronic. Advancements in neurosteroid research have led to the identification of multiple targets for drug development, but the most promising innovative target may be neurogenesis, given its potential impact in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease. Allopregnanolone is an endogenous pregnane neurosteroid and a reduced metabolite of progesterone, which acts as a potent allosteric modulator and direct activator of the GABA-chloride channel complex. Perhaps the most intriguing finding related to the potential therapeutic effects of allopregnanolone is its potential to promote neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerson D. Hernandez
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Roberta D. Brinton
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Miczek KA, Akdilek N, Ferreira VMM, Leonard MZ, Marinelli LR, Covington HE. To fight or not to fight: activation of the mPFC during decision to engage in aggressive behavior after ethanol consumption in a novel murine model. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3249-3261. [PMID: 35951078 PMCID: PMC9481716 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06208-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol consumption is a common antecedent of aggressive behavior. The effects of alcohol on the decision to engage in aggression in preference over pro-social interaction are hypothesized to arise from augmented function within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). OBJECTIVE In a newly developed procedure, we studied social decision-making in male C57BL/6 J mice based on preferentially seeking access to either sociosexual interactions with a female partner or the opportunity to attack an intruder male. While deciding to engage in aggressive vs. sociosexual behavior, corresponding neural activation was assessed via c-Fos immunoreactivity in cortical, amygdaloid and tegmental regions of interest. A further objective was to investigate how self-administered alcohol impacted social choice. METHODS During repeated confrontations with an intruder male in their home cage, experimental mice engaged in species-specific sequence of pursuit, threat, and attack behavior within < 2 min. Mice were then conditioned to respond at one of two separate illuminated operanda in an experimental chamber (octagon) attached to their home cage; completion of 10 responses (fixed ratio 10; FR10) was reinforced by access to either a female or a male intruder which were presented in the resident's home cage. Brains were harvested following choice between the concurrently available aggressive and sociosexual options and processed for c-Fos immunoreactivity across 10 brain regions. In two separate groups, mice were trained to rapidly self-administer ethanol prior to a social choice trial in order to examine the effects of alcohol on social choice, sociosexual, aggressive acts and postures, and concurrent c-Fos activity in the mPFC and limbic regions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Eight out of 65 mice consistently chose to engage in aggressive behavior in preference to sociosexual contact with a female when each outcome was concurrently available. Self-administered alcohol (experiment 1: 1.2 ± 0.02 g/kg; experiment 2: 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 1.8 g/kg) increased responding for the aggressive option in mice that previously opted predominantly for access to sociosexual interactions with the female. When choosing the aggressive, but not the sociosexual option, the prelimbic area of the mPFC revealed increased c-Fos activity, guiding future detailed inquiry into the neural mechanisms for aggressive choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus A Miczek
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MB, 02155, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| | - Naz Akdilek
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MB, 02155, USA
| | - Vania M M Ferreira
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MB, 02155, USA
- Universidade de Brasilea, Instituto de Psicologia, Brasilia, Brazil
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Muroi Y, Ishii T. Glutamatergic neurons from the medial prefrontal cortex to the dorsal raphe nucleus regulate maternal aggression in lactating mice. Neurosci Res 2022; 183:50-60. [PMID: 35817229 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.07.001] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glutamatergic signals in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) regulate maternal aggression and care in mice. We examined whether glutamatergic input from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to the DRN might regulate maternal aggression and care in mice. In the maternal aggression test, each dam was exposed to an identical intruder male twice for 5 min, 60 min apart. During the latter trial (opt trial), the terminals of glutamatergic neurons from the mPFC to the DRN were manipulated using optogenetic techniques. Compared to the former trial (pre-opt trial), the inhibition of glutamatergic input in the opt trial decreased bite frequency and prevented the shortening of biting latency. In contrast, the activation of glutamatergic input at 5 Hz increased the biting frequency. Meanwhile, the activation of glutamatergic input at 1, 10, and 20 Hz prevented the shortening of biting latency without affecting biting frequency. In the maternal care test, activation of glutamatergic input at 5 Hz did not affect maternal care. Our results suggest that glutamatergic neurons from the mPFC to the DRN differently regulate maternal aggression, depending on temporal patterns of their activation, and that the glutamatergic signals that enhance maternal aggression are not involved in the regulation of maternal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikage Muroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Toshiaki Ishii
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent affecting up to 33.7% of people over a lifetime. Although many treatment options are available, they are often associated with unacceptable side-effect profiles and approximately one in three patients are treatment resistant. Allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid acting as a positive allosteric modulator at the GABAA receptor, is synthesised in response to stress and acts to negatively modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. FINDINGS After chronic exposure to and withdrawal from allopregnanolone, an increase in α4β2δ GABAA receptors results in a reduced inhibitory effect of allopregnanolone, resulting in decreased inhibition and, therefore, increased neuronal excitability. The relationship between allopregnanolone and increased α4β2δ GABAA receptors has been demonstrated in animal models during methamphetamine withdrawal and puberty, events both associated with stress. The effect of allopregnanolone during these events is anxiogenic, a paradoxical action to its usual anxiolytic effects. Flumazenil, the GABAA receptor antagonist, has been shown to cause receptor internalisation of α4β2δ GABAA receptors, which may results in anxiolysis. CONCLUSION We propose that chronic stress and chronic exposure to and withdrawal from allopregnanolone in anxiety disorders result in alterations in GABAA receptor function, which can be corrected by flumazenil. As such, flumazenil may exhibit anxiolytic properties in patients with increased α4β2δ GABAA receptor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T Gallo
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Gary K Hulse
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.,Fresh Start Recovery Programme, Subiaco, WA, Australia
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Kutuk MO, Tufan AE, Topal Z, Acikbas U, Guler G, Karakas B, Basaga H, Kilicaslan F, Altintas E, Aka Y, Kutuk O. CYP450 2D6 and 2C19 genotypes in ADHD: not related with treatment resistance but with over-representation of 2C19 ultra-metabolizers. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2022; 37:261-269. [PMID: 35218180 DOI: 10.1515/dmpt-2021-0163] [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: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a major enzyme system involved in drug metabolism as well as regulation of brain function. Although individual variability in CYP enzymes have been studied in terms of personality traits and treatment effects, no study up to now evaluated CYP polymorphisms in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to define the genetic profiles of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 relevant alleles in children with ADHD according to treatment status and compare the frequencies according to past results. METHODS Three hundred and seventeen patients with ADHD-Combined Presentation were enrolled; symptom severity was evaluated by parents and clinicians while adverse effects of previous treatments were evaluated with parent and child reports. Reverse blotting on strip assays was used for genotyping and descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted. A p-value was set at 0.05 (two-tailed). RESULTS Children were divided into treatment-naïve (n=194, 61.2%) and treatment-resistant (n=123, 38.8%) groups. Within the whole sample PM, EM and UM status according to 2D6 were 3.8% (n=12), 94.3% (n=299) and 21.9% (n=6); respectively. PM, IM, EM and UM status according to 2C19 were 2.5% (n=8), 19.8% (n=63), 48.6% (n=154) and 29.0% (n=92), respectively. No relationship with treatment resistance, comorbidity or gender could be found. Importantly, CYP2C19 UMs were significantly more frequent in ADHD patients compared to previous studies in the general population. CONCLUSIONS CYPs may be a rewarding avenue of research to elucidate the etiology and treatment of patients with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meryem Ozlem Kutuk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Baskent University School of Medicine, Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Medical and Research Center, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ali Evren Tufan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Abant Izzet Baysal University, School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Zehra Topal
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | | | - Gulen Guler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Bahriye Karakas
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Huveyda Basaga
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fethiye Kilicaslan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Ebru Altintas
- Department of Psychiatry, Baskent University, Dr. Turgut Noyan Medical and Research Center, Adana, Turkey
| | - Yeliz Aka
- Department of Immunology, Baskent University School of Medicine, Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Medical and Research Center, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Kutuk
- Department of Immunology, Baskent University School of Medicine, Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Medical and Research Center, Adana, Turkey
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Chaves T, Török B, Fazekas CL, Correia P, Sipos E, Várkonyi D, Hellinger Á, Erk D, Zelena D. Median raphe region GABAergic neurons contribute to social interest in mouse. Life Sci 2022; 289:120223. [PMID: 34896160 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a well-known inhibitory neurotransmitter implicated in numerous physiological and pathological behaviors including social interest. Dysregulation of the median raphe region (MRR), a main serotoninergic nucleus, is also characterized by increased social problems. As the majority of MRR cells are GABAergic, we aimed to reveal the social role of these cells. Chemogenetic techniques were used in vesicular GABA transporter Cre mice and with the help of adeno-associated virus vectors artificial receptors (DREADDs, stimulatory, inhibitory or control, containing only a fluorophore) were expressed in MRR GABAergic cells confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Four weeks after viral injection a behavioral test battery (sociability; social interaction; resident-intruder) was conducted. The artificial ligand (clozapine-N-oxide, 1 mg/10 ml/kg) was administrated 30 min before the tests. As possible confounding factors, locomotion (open field/OF), anxiety-like behavior (elevated plus maze/EPM), and short-term memory (Y-maze) were also evaluated. Stimulation of the GABAergic cells in MRR had no effect on locomotion or working and social memory; however, it increased social interest during sociability and social interaction but not in resident-intruder tests. Accordingly, c-Fos elevation in MRR-GABAergic cells was detected after sociability, but not resident-intruder tests. In the EPM test, the inhibitory group entered into the open arms later, suggesting an anxiogenic-like tendency. We confirmed the role of MRR-GABAergic cells in promoting social interest. However, different subpopulations (e.g. long vs short projecting, various neuropeptide containing) might have divergent roles, which might remain hidden and requires further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Chaves
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bibiána Török
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csilla Lea Fazekas
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pedro Correia
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Sipos
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Várkonyi
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ákos Hellinger
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dogu Erk
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Zelena
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
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McCallum ES, Dey CJ, Cerveny D, Bose APH, Brodin T. Social status modulates the behavioral and physiological consequences of a chemical pollutant in animal groups. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02454. [PMID: 34549857 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The social environment (i.e., the suite of social interactions that occur among individuals that can result in variation in social ranks) is a commonly overlooked aspect of biology when scientists evaluate the effects of chemical contaminants. The social environment, however, represents the arena in which individual-level performance shapes group- or population-level outcomes and may therefore mediate many of the ultimate consequences of chemicals for wildlife. Here, we evaluated the role that the social environment plays in determining the consequences of pollutant exposure. We exposed groups of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) to an emerging pharmaceutical pollutant that is commonly detected in freshwaters (the benzodiazepine, oxazepam) and allowed them to form dominance hierarchies. Exposure affected dominant and subordinate fish differently, causing fish to become less aggressive at high doses and subordinate fish to become more competitively successful at low doses. These perturbations had further consequences for growth, fin damage, and survival. Exposure also modulated physiological stress in the hierarchy, and social status itself affected how much oxazepam was absorbed in tissues, potentially creating a dynamic feedback loop that further influences the asymmetric effects of exposure on differing social statuses. Many effects followed a "U-shaped" dose-response curve, highlighting the importance of nonlinear, low-dose effects. Altogether, we show that social structure in animal groups can interact with and modulate the effects of an environmental contaminant. We underscore the need to account for an organism's natural ecological context, including their social environment, in future experiments and environmental risk assessments to predict the effects of chemical contaminants on wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin S McCallum
- Department of Wildlife, Fish & Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå, Sweden
| | - Cody J Dey
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Daniel Cerveny
- Department of Wildlife, Fish & Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå, Sweden
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Zatisi 728/II, Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Aneesh P H Bose
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish & Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå, Sweden
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Bäckström T, Ekberg K, Hirschberg AL, Bixo M, Epperson CN, Briggs P, Panay N, O'Brien S. A randomized, double-blind study on efficacy and safety of sepranolone in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 133:105426. [PMID: 34597899 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) experience mood symptoms related to the increase in progesterone and the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone. Our hypothesis is that allopregnanolone is the symptom provoking factor. The rationale for the present study was to treat PMDD patients with the GABAA receptor modulating steroid antagonist, sepranolone (isoallopregnanolone). Patients (n = 206) with PMDD from 12 European centers were randomized in a parallel double-blind study and treated with placebo, sepranolone 10 mg and 16 mg. Patients administered sepranolone subcutaneously every 48 h during the 14 premenstrual days of three consecutive menstrual cycles. After obtaining informed consent, the PMDD diagnosis was confirmed according to DSM-5 and verified with two menstrual cycles of daily symptom ratings using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) scale in an eDiary. Inclusion and exclusion criteria stipulated that the women should be essentially healthy, not pregnant, have no ongoing psychiatric disorder or take interfering medications, and have regular menstrual cycles. The study's primary endpoint was the Total symptom score (Sum21, the score for all 21 symptom questions in the DRSP). In the prespecified statistical analysis the average score of the 5 worst premenstrual days in treatment cycles 2 and 3 were subtracted from the corresponding average score in the two diagnostic cycles. The treatment effects were tested using analysis of variance in a hierarchal order starting with the combined active sepranolone treatments vs. placebo. The prespecified analysis of Sum21 showed a large treatment effect of all three treatments but no statistically significant difference to placebo. However, the ratings of distress showed a significant treatment effect of sepranolone compared to placebo (p = 0.037) and the ratings of impairment showed a trend to greater treatment effect of sepranolone compared to placebo. Many women with PMDD had symptoms during a longer period than the late luteal phase. It has previously been shown that 9 premenstrual days may be more representative for comparison of PMDD symptom periods than the 5 worst premenstrual days. A post hoc analysis was undertaken in the per protocol population investigating the treatment effect during 9 premenstrual days in the third treatment cycle. The Sum21 results of this analysis showed that the sepranolone 10 mg was significantly better than placebo (p = 0.008). Similar significant treatment effects were found for the impairment and distress scores. A significantly larger number of individuals experienced no or minimal symptoms (Sum21 <42 points) with the 10 mg sepranolone treatment compared to placebo (p = 0.020). The results indicate that there is an attenuating effect by sepranolone on symptoms, impairment, and distress in women with PMDD especially by the 10 mg dosage. Sepranolone was well tolerated, and no safety concerns were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn Bäckström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Sweden.
| | - Karin Ekberg
- Asarina Pharma AB Clinical Research & Development c/o COBIS, Ole Maaloes Vej 3, 2200 Kobenhavn N, Denmark
| | | | - Marie Bixo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Transcriptome Analyses Provide Insights into the Aggressive Behavior toward Conspecific and Heterospecific in Thitarodes xiaojinensis (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12070577. [PMID: 34201917 PMCID: PMC8306418 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Aggression is an evolutionarily conserved, complex behavior, essential for survival, reproduction, and the organization of social hierarchies. It is well studied in adult insects, such as flies, ants, honey bees, and crickets. However, the study of aggressive behavior in the larval stage is still lacking. T. xiaojinensis is a common species found in mountainous regions of the Tibetan Plateau, the larvae of which are highly aggressive toward conspecifics. High-throughput RNA-seq with a reference genome provides opportunities for in-depth analysis when T. xiaojinensis is aggressive toward conspecifics and heterospecifics. This study provided a set of important pathways and DEGs associated with aggressive behavior. We also constructed the weighted gene co-expression network for traits, and the central and hub genes involved in aggressive behavior were obtained. The results revealed the molecular responses when T. xiaojinensis showed aggressiveness toward conspecifics and heterospecifics. These data are important for better understanding the aggressive behavior of Lepidopteran larvae at the transcriptional level and provide a theoretical basis for the further analysis of the genetic mechanism of the insect’s aggression. Abstract Aggressive behavior in animals is important for survival and reproduction. It is well studied in adult insects, such as flies, ants, honey bees, and crickets. However, the larvae of Lepidopteran insects are also aggressive, studies of which are still lacking. Here, RNA-seq was used to generate a high-quality database for the aggressive behavior of Thitarodes xiaojinensis toward conspecifics and heterospecifics. Although there was similar aggressive behavior between the conspecific group and heterospecific group, significant differences were identified at the transcriptional level. When there was aggressive behavior toward conspecifics, T. xiaojinensis trended toward higher expression at the respiratory chain, while cuticle development and metabolism may have interfered. On the other hand, when there was aggressive behavior toward H. armigera, genes related to neuron and cuticle development, cellular processes, and its regulated signaling pathways were significantly upregulated, while the genes associated with oxidation-reduction and metabolism were downregulated. Weighted gene co-expression networks analysis (WGCNA) was performed, and two modules with properties correlating to the aggressive behavior of T. xiaojinensis were identified. Several hub genes were predicted and confirmed by qRT-PCR, such as CLTC, MYH, IGF2BP1, and EMC. This study provides a global view and potential key genes for the aggressive behavior of T. xiaojinensis toward conspecifics and heterospecifics. Further investigation of the hub genes would help us to better understand the aggressive behavior of insects.
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Lee TJ, Zanello AF, Morrison TR, Ricci LA, Melloni RH. Valproate selectively suppresses adolescent anabolic/androgenic steroid-induced aggressive behavior: implications for a role of hypothalamic γ-aminobutyric acid neural signaling. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:295-307. [PMID: 33595952 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pubertal male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) treated with anabolic/androgenic steroids (AASs) during adolescence (P27-P56) display a highly intense aggressive phenotype that shares many behavioral similarities with pathological aggression in youth. Anticonvulsant drugs like valproate that enhance the activity of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neural system in the brain have recently gained acceptance as a primary treatment for pathological aggression. This study examined whether valproate would selectively suppress adolescent AAS-induced aggressive behavior and whether GABA neural signaling through GABAA subtype receptors in the latero-anterior hypothalamus (LAH; an area of convergence for developmental and neuroplastic changes that underlie aggression in hamsters) modulate the aggression-suppressing effect of this anticonvulsant medication. Valproate (1.0-10.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) selectively suppressed the aggressive phenotype in a dose-dependent fashion, with the effective anti-aggressive effects beginning at 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Microinfusion of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (7.0-700 ng) into the LAH reversed valproate's suppression of AAS-induced aggression in a dose-dependent fashion. At the 70 ng dose of bicuculline, animals expressed the highly aggressive baseline phenotype normally observed in AAS-treated animals. These studies provide preclinical evidence that the anticonvulsant valproate selectively suppresses adolescent, AAS-induced aggression and that this suppression is modulated, in part, by GABA neural signaling within the LAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrence J Lee
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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16
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The neurobiology of human aggressive behavior: Neuroimaging, genetic, and neurochemical aspects. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110059. [PMID: 32822763 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In modern societies, there is a strive to improve the quality of life related to risk of crimes which inevitably requires a better understanding of brain determinants and mediators of aggression. Neurobiology provides powerful tools to achieve this end. Pre-clinical and clinical studies show that changes in regional volumes, metabolism-function and connectivity within specific neural networks are related to aggression. Subregions of prefrontal cortex, insula, amygdala, basal ganglia and hippocampus play a major role within these circuits and have been consistently implicated in biology of aggression. Genetic variations in proteins regulating the synthesis, degradation, and transport of serotonin and dopamine as well as their signal transduction have been found to mediate behavioral variability observed in aggression. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions represent additional important risk factors for aggressiveness. Considering the social burden of pathological forms of aggression, more basic and translational studies should be conducted to accelerate applications to clinical practice, justice courts, and policy making.
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17
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The biology of aggressive behavior in bipolar disorder: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:9-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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18
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The contribution of methamphetamine use to crime: Evidence from Australian longitudinal data. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 216:108262. [PMID: 32916517 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To quantify the extent to which methamphetamine use is associated with increases in crime net of any premorbid risk of criminality among people who use the drug. METHODS Four one-month data panels from 469 participants dependent on methamphetamine were drawn from the MATES cohort (N = 501). Odds ratios for within-person effects were extracted from a random intercept logistic regression model for crime during periods of methamphetamine use compared to no use. Effects were adjusted for time-varying measures of age, other substance use, and socio-economic disadvantage (income, unemployment and unstable accommodation). Involvement in crime (property crime, drug dealing, fraud, violent crime) and days of methamphetamine in the past month were assessed using the Opiate Treatment Index. RESULTS Crime was more likely during months when participants used methamphetamine compared to when they did not (OR 13.2 95% CI 8.5-20.6; AOR 4.7 95% CI 2.8-8.0), this reflecting more property crime (OR 10.6 95% CI 6.3-18.0; AOR 5.5 95% CI 2.8-10.8), violent crime (OR 8.2 95% CI 4.2-15.9; AOR 3.4 95% CI 1.5-8.0), fraud (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.0-5.8; AOR 1.7 95% CI 0.8-3.3) and dealing drugs (OR 18.2 95% CI 10.2-32.5; AOR 5.9 95% CI 3.0-11.9), although the adjusted relationship for fraud was not significant. Effects were dose related. CONCLUSIONS The use of methamphetamine was associated with significant increases in crime beyond premorbid risk for criminality. Crime is a likely social consequence of methamphetamine use and efforts are needed to reduce this impact.
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19
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Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency in mice: consequences of postweaning social isolation on behavior and changes in brain neurochemical systems. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:1719-1742. [PMID: 32514634 PMCID: PMC7321906 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Reductions of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and subsequent GABA levels have been consistently observed in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression, but it has remained unclear how GABAergic dysfunction contributes to different symptoms of the diseases. To address this issue, we investigated male mice haplodeficient for GAD67 (GAD67+/GFP mice), which showed a reduced social interaction, social dominance and increased immobility in the forced swim test. No differences were found in rotarod performance and sensorimotor gating. We also addressed potential effects of social deprivation, which is known, during early life, to affect GABAergic function and induces behavioral abnormalities similar to the symptoms found in psychiatric disorders. Indeed, social isolation of GAD67+/GFP mice provoked increased rearing activity in the social interaction test and hyperlocomotion on elevated plus maze. Since GABA closely interacts with the dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems, we investigated GAD67+/GFP and GAD67+/+ mice for morphological markers of the latter systems and found increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR fiber densities in CA1 of dorsal hippocampus. By contrast, no differences in numbers and densities of TH-positive neurons of the midbrain dopamine regions, serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the raphe nuclei, or choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing neurons of basal forebrain and their respective terminal fields were observed. Our results indicate that GAD67 haplodeficiency impairs sociability and increases vulnerability to social stress, provokes depressive-like behavior and alters the catecholaminergic innervation in brain areas associated with schizophrenia. GAD67+/GFP mice may provide a useful model for studying the impact of GABAergic dysfunction as related to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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20
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Einberger C, Puckett A, Ricci L, Melloni R. Contemporary Pharmacotherapeutics and the Management of Aggressive Behavior in an Adolescent Animal Model of Maladaptive Aggression. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 18:188-202. [PMID: 32329300 PMCID: PMC7236798 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.2.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective Antipsychotic and anticonvulsant medications are increasingly being used as pharmacotherapeutic treatments for maladaptive aggression in youth, yet no information is available regarding whether these drugs exhibit aggression- specific suppression in preclinical studies employing adolescent animal models of maladaptive aggression. This study examined whether the commonly used antipsychotics medications haloperidol and risperidone and the anticonvulsant medication valproate exert selective aggression-suppressing effects using a validated adolescent animal model of maladaptive aggression. Methods Twenty-seven-day old Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were administered testosterone for 30 consecutive days during the first 4 weeks of adolescent development. The following day (during late adolescence), experimental animals received a single dose of haloperidol (0.00, 0.025, 0.50, 1.0 mg/kg), risperidone (0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 1.0 mg/kg), or valproate (0.00, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg) and tested for offensive aggression using the Resident/Intruder Paradigm. As a baseline, non-aggressive behavioral control, a separate set of pubertal hamsters was treated with sesame oil vehicle during the first 4 weeks of adolescence and then tested for aggression during late adolescence in parallel with the haloperidol, risperidone or valproate-treated experimental animals. Results Risperidone and valproate selectively reduced the highly impulsive and intense maladaptive aggressive phenotype in a dose-dependent fashion. While haloperidol marginally reduced aggressive responding, its effects were non-specific as the decrease in aggression was concurrent with reductions in a several ancillary (non-aggressive) behaviors. Conclusion These studies provide pre-clinical evidence that the contemporary pharmacotherapeutics risperidone and valproate exert specific aggression-suppressing effects in an adolescent animal model of maladaptive aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Einberger
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Puckett
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lesley Ricci
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard Melloni
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.,Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Baran NM, Streelman JT. Ecotype differences in aggression, neural activity and behaviorally relevant gene expression in cichlid fish. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12657. [PMID: 32323443 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In Lake Malawi, two ecologically distinct lineages of cichlid fishes (rock- vs sand-dwelling ecotypes, each comprised of over 200 species) evolved within the last million years. The rock-dwelling species (Mbuna) are aggressively territorial year-round and males court and spawn with females over rocky substrate. In contrast, males of sand-dwelling species are not territorial and instead aggregate on seasonal breeding leks in which males construct courtship "bowers" in the sand. However, little is known about how phenotypic variation in aggression is produced by the genome. In this study, we first quantify and compare behavior in seven cichlid species, demonstrating substantial ecotype and species differences in unconditioned mirror-elicited aggression. Second, we compare neural activity in mirror-elicited aggression in two representative species, Mchenga conophoros (sand-dwelling) and Petrotilapia chitimba (rock-dwelling). Finally, we compare gene expression patterns between these two species, specifically within neurons activated during mirror aggression. We identified a large number of genes showing differential expression in mirror-elicited aggression, as well as many genes that differ between ecotypes. These genes, which may underly species differences in behavior, include several neuropeptides, genes involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones and neurotransmitter activity. This work lays the foundation for future experiments using this emerging genetic model system to investigate the genomic basis of evolved species differences in both brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Baran
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - J Todd Streelman
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,The Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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22
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Jager A, Amiri H, Bielczyk N, van Heukelum S, Heerschap A, Aschrafi A, Poelmans G, Buitelaar JK, Kozicz T, Glennon JC. Cortical control of aggression: GABA signalling in the anterior cingulate cortex. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 30:5-16. [PMID: 29274996 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Reduced top-down control by cortical areas is assumed to underlie pathological forms of aggression. While the precise underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive, it seems that balancing the excitatory and inhibitory tones of cortical brain areas has a role in aggression control. The molecular mechanisms underpinning aggression control were examined in the BALB/cJ mouse model. First, these mice were extensively phenotyped for aggression and anxiety in comparison to BALB/cByJ controls. Microarray data was then used to construct a molecular landscape, based on the mRNAs that were differentially expressed in the brains of BALB/cJ mice. Subsequently, we provided corroborating evidence for the key findings from the landscape through 1H-magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative polymerase chain reactions, specifically in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The molecular landscape predicted that altered GABA signalling may underlie the observed increased aggression and anxiety in BALB/cJ mice. This was supported by a 40% reduction of 1H-MRS GABA levels and a 20-fold increase of the GABA-degrading enzyme Abat in the ventral ACC. As a possible compensation, Kcc2, a potassium-chloride channel involved in GABA-A receptor signalling, was found increased. Moreover, we observed aggressive behaviour that could be linked to altered expression of neuroligin-2, a membrane-bound cell adhesion protein that mediates synaptogenesis of mainly inhibitory synapses. In conclusion, Abat and Kcc2 seem to be involved in modulating aggressive and anxious behaviours observed in BALB/cJ mice through affecting GABA signalling in the ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Jager
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Houshang Amiri
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Natalia Bielczyk
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina van Heukelum
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arend Heerschap
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Armaz Aschrafi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Geert Poelmans
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tamas Kozicz
- Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey C Glennon
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Machado Figueiredo R, de Carvalho MC, Brandão ML, Lovick TA. Short-term, low-dose fluoxetine prevents oestrous cycle-linked increase in anxiety-like behaviour in female rats. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:548-557. [PMID: 31012390 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119841833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We sought a robust behavioural test that evoked increased anxiety-like behaviour during the late dioestrus phase of the oestrous cycle (similar to the premenstrual period in women) and tested whether this could be prevented by acute low-dose fluoxetine (FLX). METHODS Female Wistar rats in different stages of their cycle were exposed to four different tests of anxiety-like behaviour. RESULTS No oestrous cycle differences were detected in fear potentiated startle or conditioned freezing to an aversive context. In a light switch-off test where rats move from one compartment of a shuttle-box to the other to turn off an aversive light, females displayed enhanced responding in late dioestrus. During isolation restraint stress females in late dioestrus emitted three times more 22 kHz ultrasound vocalisations (USV) than at other cycle stages. Using the USV test, short-term administration of low-dose FLX (1.75 mg kg-1, i.p.) designed to blunt the sharp fall in brain allopregnanolone concentration during late dioestrus but without affecting 5-HT systems, prevented the increase in isolation stress-evoked USVs. CONCLUSIONS The light switch-off and isolation restraint-induced USV tests evoke unconditioned adverse emotional responses that are ethologically relevant and sensitive to oestrous cycle stage. The USV test fulfils many criteria required of a model for premenstrual syndrome in women. Using the USV test, short-term administration of FLX to increase brain allopregnanolone concentration without affecting 5-HT systems prevented the increased USV responding in late dioestrus. Short-term low-dose FLX treatment may have potential to alleviate development of adverse premenstrual symptoms in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Machado Figueiredo
- 1 Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,2 Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Avenida do Café 2450, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Milene Cristina de Carvalho
- 1 Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,2 Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Avenida do Café 2450, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcus Lira Brandão
- 1 Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,2 Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Avenida do Café 2450, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Thelma Anderson Lovick
- 2 Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Avenida do Café 2450, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,3 School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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24
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Farooqi NAI, Scotti M, Yu A, Lew J, Monnier P, Botteron KN, Campbell BC, Booij L, Herba CM, Séguin JR, Castellanos-Ryan N, McCracken JT, Nguyen TV. Sex-specific contribution of DHEA-cortisol ratio to prefrontal-hippocampal structural development, cognitive abilities and personality traits. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12682. [PMID: 30597689 PMCID: PMC6394408 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Although dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may exert neuroprotective effects in the developing brain, prolonged or excessive elevations in cortisol may exert neurotoxic effects. The ratio between DHEA and cortisol (DC ratio) has been linked to internalising and externalising disorders, as well as cognitive performance, supporting the clinical relevance of this hormonal ratio during development. However, the brain mechanisms by which these effects may be mediated have not yet been identified. Furthermore, although there is evidence that the effects of cortisol in the central nervous system may be sexually dimorphic in humans, the opposite is true for DHEA, with human studies showing no sex-specific associations in cortical thickness, cortico-amygdalar or cortico-hippocampal structural covariance. Therefore, it remains unclear whether sex moderates the developmental associations between DC ratio, brain structure, cognition and behaviour. In the present study, we examined the associations between DC ratio, structural covariance of the hippocampus with whole-brain cortical thickness, and measures of personality, behaviour and cognition in a longitudinal sample of typically developing children, adolescents and young adults aged 6-22 years (N = 225 participants [F = 128]; 355 scans [F = 208]), using mixed effects models that accounted for both within- and between-subject variances. We found sex-specific interactions between DC ratio and anterior cingulate cortex-hippocampal structural covariance, with higher DC ratios being associated with a more negative covariance between these structures in girls, and a more positive covariance in boys. Furthermore, the negative prefrontal-hippocampal structural covariance found in girls was associated with higher verbal memory and mathematical ability, whereas the positive covariance found in boys was associated with lower cooperativeness and reward dependence personality traits. These findings support the notion that the ratio between DHEA and cortisol levels may contribute, at least in part, to the development of sex differences in cognitive abilities, as well as risk for internalising/externalising disorders, via an alteration in prefrontal-hippocampal structure during the transition from childhood to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasr A. I. Farooqi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
| | - Martina Scotti
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
| | - Ally Yu
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Patricia Monnier
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University
Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center,
Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of
Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA, 63110
- Brain Development Cooperative Group
| | - Benjamin C. Campbell
- Department of Anthropology, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA, 53211
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal,
QC, Canada, H4B 1R6
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
| | - Catherine M. Herba
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- Department of Psychology, Université du
Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean R. Séguin
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
| | - Natalie Castellanos-Ryan
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal,
Montreal QC, Canada, H2V 2S9
| | - James T McCracken
- Brain Development Cooperative Group
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University
of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90024
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University
Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center,
Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
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Mezzomo NJ, Fontana BD, Kalueff AV, Barcellos LJ, Rosemberg DB. Understanding taurine CNS activity using alternative zebrafish models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:471-485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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26
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White LJ, Thomson JS, Pounder KC, Coleman RC, Sneddon LU. The impact of social context on behaviour and the recovery from welfare challenges in zebrafish, Danio rerio. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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27
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Understanding taurine CNS activity using alternative zebrafish models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 83:525-539. [PMID: 28916270 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Taurine is a highly abundant "amino acid" in the brain. Despite the potential neuroactive role of taurine in vertebrates has long been recognized, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to its pleiotropic effects in the brain remain poorly understood. Due to the genetic tractability, rich behavioral repertoire, neurochemical conservation, and small size, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful candidate for neuropsychopharmacology investigation and in vivo drug screening. Here, we summarize the main physiological roles of taurine in mammals, including neuromodulation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, and antioxidant action. In this context, we also highlight how zebrafish models of brain disorders may present interesting approaches to assess molecular mechanisms underlying positive effects of taurine in the brain. Finally, we outline recent advances in zebrafish drug screening that significantly improve neuropsychiatric translational researches and small molecule screens.
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28
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Fatsini E, Rey S, Ibarra-Zatarain Z, Mackenzie S, Duncan NJ. Dominance behaviour in a non-aggressive flatfish, Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) and brain mRNA abundance of selected transcripts. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184283. [PMID: 28877259 PMCID: PMC5587333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominance is defined as the preferential access to limited resources. The present study aimed to characterise dominance in a non-aggressive flatfish species, the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) by 1) identifying dominance categories and associated behaviours and 2) linking dominance categories (dominant and subordinate) with the abundance of selected mRNA transcripts in the brain. Early juveniles (n = 74, 37 pairs) were subjected to a dyadic dominance test, related to feeding, and once behavioural phenotypes had been described the abundance of ten selected mRNAs related to dominance and aggressiveness was measured in the brain. Late juveniles were subjected to two dyadic dominance tests (n = 34, 17 pairs), related to feeding and territoriality and one group test (n = 24, 4 groups of 6 fish). Sole feeding first were categorized as dominant and sole feeding second or not feeding as subordinate. Three social behaviours (i. "Resting the head" on another fish, ii. "Approaching" another fish, iii. "Swimming above another" fish) were associated with dominance of feeding. Two other variables (i. Total time occupying the preferred area during the last 2 hours of the 24 h test, ii. Organisms occupying the preferred area when the test ended) were representative of dominance in the place preference test. In all tests, dominant fish compared to subordinate fish displayed a significantly higher number of the behaviours "Rest the head" and "Approaches". Moreover, dominant sole dominated the sand at the end of the test, and in the group test dominated the area close to the feed delivery point before feed was delivered. The mRNA abundance of the selected mRNAs related to neurogenesis (nrd2) and neuroplasticity (c-fos) in dominant sole compared to subordinate were significantly different. This is the first study to characterise dominance categories with associated behaviours and mRNA abundance in Senegalese sole and provides tools to study dominance related problems in feeding and reproduction in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Rey
- Institute of Aquaculture, Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Zohar Ibarra-Zatarain
- IRTA, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Tarragona, Spain.,CONACYT-UAN-CENIT, Calle 3 S/N, Ciudad industrial, Tepic, Mexico
| | - Simon Mackenzie
- Institute of Aquaculture, Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
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29
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Gangestad SW, Grebe NM. Hormonal systems, human social bonding, and affiliation. Horm Behav 2017; 91:122-135. [PMID: 27530218 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Which hormones are implicated in human social bonding and affiliation? And how does field research speak to this issue? We begin by laying out a broad view of how endocrine hormones in general modulate life history allocations of energy and other resources, and the ways in which their neuromodulatory functions must be understood within a broader conceptualization of how they have been shaped to affect allocations. We then turn to four specific hormones or hormone families that have received much attention: oxytocin, opioids, prolactin, and progesterone. Each plays a role in regulating psychological capacities and propensities that underlie individuals' interactions with important social targets. Yet in no case is it clear exactly what regulatory roles these hormones play. We suggest several directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W Gangestad
- Department of Psychology, University of New, Albuquerque, NM 87111, Mexico.
| | - Nicholas M Grebe
- Department of Psychology, University of New, Albuquerque, NM 87111, Mexico
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30
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Kamin HS, Kertes DA. Cortisol and DHEA in development and psychopathology. Horm Behav 2017; 89:69-85. [PMID: 27979632 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol are the most abundant hormones of the human fetal and adult adrenals released as end products of a tightly coordinated endocrine response to stress. Together, they mediate short- and long-term stress responses and enable physiological and behavioral adjustments necessary for maintaining homeostasis. Detrimental effects of chronic or repeated elevations in cortisol on behavioral and emotional health are well documented. Evidence for actions of DHEA that offset or oppose those of cortisol has stimulated interest in examining their levels as a ratio, as an alternate index of adrenocortical activity and the net effects of cortisol. Such research necessitates a thorough understanding of the co-actions of these hormones on physiological functioning and in association with developmental outcomes. This review addresses the state of the science in understanding the role of DHEA, cortisol, and their ratio in typical development and developmental psychopathology. A rationale for studying DHEA and cortisol in concert is supported by physiological data on the coordinated synthesis and release of these hormones in the adrenal and by their opposing physiological actions. We then present evidence that researching cortisol and DHEA necessitates a developmental perspective. Age-related changes in DHEA and cortisol are described from the perinatal period through adolescence, along with observed associations of these hormones with developmental psychopathology. Along the way, we identify several major knowledge gaps in the role of DHEA in modulating cortisol in typical development and developmental psychopathology with implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley S Kamin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Darlene A Kertes
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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31
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Rambo CL, Mocelin R, Marcon M, Villanova D, Koakoski G, de Abreu MS, Oliveira TA, Barcellos LJ, Piato AL, Bonan CD. Gender differences in aggression and cortisol levels in zebrafish subjected to unpredictable chronic stress. Physiol Behav 2017; 171:50-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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32
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Lovick TA, Guapo VG, Anselmo-Franci JA, Loureiro CM, Faleiros MCM, Del Ben CM, Brandão ML. A specific profile of luteal phase progesterone is associated with the development of premenstrual symptoms. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 75:83-90. [PMID: 27810707 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
There is a consensus that the development of premenstrual dysphoric states is related to cyclical change in gonadal hormone secretion during the menstrual cycle. However, results from studies seeking to link symptom severity to luteal phase progesterone concentration have been equivocal. In the present study we evaluated not only the absolute concentrations of progesterone but also the kinetics of the change in progesterone concentration in relation to development of premenstrual symptoms during the last 10days of the luteal phase in a population of 46 healthy young adult Brazilian women aged 18-39 years, mean 26.5±6.7years. In participants who developed symptoms of premenstrual distress, daily saliva progesterone concentration remained stable during most of the mid-late luteal phase, before declining sharply during the last 3days prior to onset of menstruation. In contrast, progesterone concentration in asymptomatic women underwent a gradual decline over the last 8days prior to menstruation. Neither maximum nor minimum concentrations of progesterone in the two groups were related to the appearance or severity of premenstrual symptoms. We propose that individual differences in the kinetics of progesterone secretion and/or metabolism may confer differential susceptibility to the development of premenstrual syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thelma A Lovick
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol B15 2TT, UK; Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Vinicius G Guapo
- Departments of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo - Campus, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Janete A Anselmo-Franci
- Departamento de Morfologia, Fisiologia, e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade de São Paulo - Campus, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila M Loureiro
- Departments of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo - Campus, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara M Faleiros
- Departments of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo - Campus, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristina M Del Ben
- Departments of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo - Campus, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcus L Brandão
- Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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33
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Timby E, Bäckström T, Nyberg S, Stenlund H, Wihlbäck ACN, Bixo M. Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder have altered sensitivity to allopregnanolone over the menstrual cycle compared to controls-a pilot study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2109-2117. [PMID: 26960697 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4258-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE In premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition that afflicts 3-8 % of women in fertile ages, the cyclic recurrence of debilitating mood symptoms is restricted to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone is produced by the corpus luteum, and circulating levels are reflected in the brain. Allopregnanolone is a modulator of the GABAA receptor, enhancing the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Previous studies have demonstrated different sensitivity to other GABAA receptor agonists, i.e., benzodiazepines, alcohol, and pregnanolone, in PMDD patients compared to controls. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity to intravenous allopregnanolone over the menstrual cycle in PMDD patients. METHODS Allopregnanolone, 0.05 mg/kg, was administered intravenously once in the mid-follicular and once in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle to 10 PMDD patients and 10 control subjects. The saccadic eye velocity (SEV) was recorded by electrooculography as a measurement of functional GABAA receptor activity, at baseline and repeatedly after the injection. A mixed model was used to analyze data. RESULTS There was a highly significant group × phase interaction in the SEV response to allopregnanolone (F(1,327.489) = 12.747, p < 0.001). In the PMDD group, the SEV response was decreased in the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase (F(1,168) = 7.776, p = 0.006), whereas in the control group, the difference was opposite during the menstrual cycle (F(1,158.45) = 5.70, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS The effect of exogenous allopregnanolone is associated with menstrual cycle phase in PMDD patients and in controls. The results suggest an altered sensitivity to allopregnanolone in PMDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Timby
- Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Sigrid Nyberg
- Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hans Stenlund
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Marie Bixo
- Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden.
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34
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Fontana BD, Meinerz DL, Rosa LVC, Mezzomo NJ, Silveira A, Giuliani GS, Quadros VA, Filho GL, Blaser RE, Rosemberg DB. Modulatory action of taurine on ethanol-induced aggressive behavior in zebrafish. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 141:18-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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35
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Veroude K, Zhang-James Y, Fernàndez-Castillo N, Bakker MJ, Cormand B, Faraone SV. Genetics of aggressive behavior: An overview. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:3-43. [PMID: 26345359 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) address three types of aggression: frustrative non-reward, defensive aggression and offensive/proactive aggression. This review sought to present the evidence for genetic underpinnings of aggression and to determine to what degree prior studies have examined phenotypes that fit into the RDoC framework. Although the constructs of defensive and offensive aggression have been widely used in the animal genetics literature, the human literature is mostly agnostic with regard to all the RDoC constructs. We know from twin studies that about half the variance in behavior may be explained by genetic risk factors. This is true for both dimensional, trait-like, measures of aggression and categorical definitions of psychopathology. The non-shared environment seems to have a moderate influence with the effects of shared environment being unclear. Human molecular genetic studies of aggression are in an early stage. The most promising candidates are in the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems along with hormonal regulators. Genome-wide association studies have not yet achieved genome-wide significance, but current samples are too small to detect variants having the small effects one would expect for a complex disorder. The strongest molecular evidence for a genetic basis for aggression comes from animal models comparing aggressive and non-aggressive strains or documenting the effects of gene knockouts. Although we have learned much from these prior studies, future studies should improve the measurement of aggression by using a systematic method of measurement such as that proposed by the RDoC initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Veroude
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanli Zhang-James
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Mireille J Bakker
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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36
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Burrows EL, Laskaris L, Koyama L, Churilov L, Bornstein JC, Hill-Yardin EL, Hannan AJ. A neuroligin-3 mutation implicated in autism causes abnormal aggression and increases repetitive behavior in mice. Mol Autism 2015; 6:62. [PMID: 26583067 PMCID: PMC4650404 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0055-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggression is common in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) along with the core symptoms of impairments in social communication and repetitive behavior. Risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic, is widely used to treat aggression in ASD. In order to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of these challenging behaviors, a thorough characterisation of behavioral endophenotypes in animal models is required. METHODS We investigated aggression in mice containing the ASD-associated R451C (arginine to cysteine residue 451 substitution) mutation in neuroligin-3 (NL3). Furthermore, we sought to verify social interaction impairments and assess olfaction, anxiety, and repetitive and restrictive behavior in NL3(R451C) mutant mice. RESULTS We show a pronounced elevation in aggressive behavior in NL3(R451C) mutant mice. Treatment with risperidone reduced this aggression to wild-type (WT) levels. Juvenile and adult social interactions were also investigated, and subtle differences in initiation of interaction were seen in juvenile NL3(R451C) mice. No genotype differences in olfactory discrimination or anxiety were observed indicating that aggression was not dependent on altered olfaction, stress response, or social preference. We also describe repetitive behavior in NL3(R451C) mice as assessed by a clinically relevant object exploration task. CONCLUSIONS The presence of aberrant aggression and other behavioral phenotypes in NL3(R451C) mice consistent with clinical traits strengthen face validity of this model of ASD. Furthermore, we demonstrate predictive validity in this model through the reversal of the aggressive phenotype with risperidone. This is the first demonstration that risperidone can ameliorate aggression in an animal model of ASD and will inform mechanistic and therapeutic research into the neurobiology underlying abnormal behaviors in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, Melbourne Brain Centre, Cnr Genetics Lane and Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Liliana Laskaris
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, Melbourne Brain Centre, Cnr Genetics Lane and Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Lynn Koyama
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, Melbourne Brain Centre, Cnr Genetics Lane and Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Leonid Churilov
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 245 Burgundy St, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 Australia
| | - Joel C Bornstein
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Elisa L Hill-Yardin
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, Melbourne Brain Centre, Cnr Genetics Lane and Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Royal Pde, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
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37
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Bäckström T, Bixo M, Strömberg J. GABAA Receptor-Modulating Steroids in Relation to Women's Behavioral Health. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2015; 17:92. [PMID: 26396092 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-015-0627-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In certain women, increased negative mood relates to the progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone (allo), during the luteal phase of ovulatory menstrual cycles, the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In anovulatory cycles, no symptom or sex steroid increase occurs but symptoms return during progesterone/allo treatment. Allo is a potent GABAA receptor-modulating steroid and as such is expected to be calming and anxiolytic. A relation to negative mood is unexpected. However, this paradoxical effect can be induced by all GABAA receptor modulators in low concentrations whereas higher concentrations are calming. The severity of the mood symptoms relate to allo in an inverted U-shaped curve at endogenous luteal-phase serum concentrations. Allo's effects on the GABAA receptor can be antagonized by isoallopregnanolone (ISO), an antagonist to allo. ISO has also been used in a preliminary clinical trial on PMDD ameliorating symptoms with good effect in PMDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn Bäckström
- Department of Clinical sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå neurosteroid research center, Umeå University, Building 6M 4th floor, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Marie Bixo
- Department of Clinical sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå neurosteroid research center, Umeå University, Building 6M 4th floor, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jessica Strömberg
- Department of Clinical sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå neurosteroid research center, Umeå University, Building 6M 4th floor, Umeå, Sweden.
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γ-Aminobutyric acid neural signaling in the lateroanterior hypothalamus modulates aggressive behavior in adolescent anabolic/androgenic steroid-treated hamsters. Behav Pharmacol 2015; 25:673-83. [PMID: 25171080 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) treated with anabolic/androgenic steroids (AAS) during adolescence (P27-P56) display highly escalated and mature forms of offensive aggression correlated with increased γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) afferent development as well as decreased GABAA receptors in the lateroanterior hypothalamus (LAH) - an area of convergence for developmental and neuroplastic changes that underlie offensive aggressive behaviors in hamsters. This study investigated whether microinfusion of a GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol; 0.01-1.0 pmol/l) or antagonist (bicuculline; 0.04-4.0 pmol/l) directly into the LAH modulate adolescent AAS-induced offensive aggression. Activation of LAH GABAA receptors enhanced adolescent AAS-induced offensive aggression, beginning at the 0.1 pmol/l dose, when compared with AAS-treated animals injected with saline into the LAH. Importantly, GABAA receptor agonism within the LAH significantly increased the frequency of belly/rear attacks, while simultaneously decreasing the frequency of frontal attacks. These data identify a neuroanatomical locus where GABAA receptor activation functions to enhance aggression in adolescent AAS-treated animals, while also promoting the display of mature forms of aggression and suppressing juvenile play behaviors.
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de Almeida RMM, Cabral JCC, Narvaes R. Behavioural, hormonal and neurobiological mechanisms of aggressive behaviour in human and nonhuman primates. Physiol Behav 2015; 143:121-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Rault JL, Plush K, Yawno T, Langendijk P. Allopregnanolone and social stress: regulation of the stress response in early pregnancy in pigs. Stress 2015; 18:569-77. [PMID: 26068516 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2015.1047340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This experiment investigated whether allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid metabolite from progesterone, modulates the stress response during early pregnancy. Twenty-five nulliparous sows (Sus scrofa) were allocated to one of three treatments: pregnant, ovariectomized or ovariectomized administered daily intravenously with alfaxalone as a synthetic allopregnanolone analog. On days 5, 12 and 19 of pregnancy, all sows were subjected to social stress by submitting them individually to a resident-intruder test, acting as the intruder. Blood samples were collected to analyze plasma progesterone, allopregnanolone, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations. On day 26, 10 sows across the three treatments were subjected to a dexamethasone suppression test followed by a corticotrophin-releasing hormone administration to test the functionality of their hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through cortisol release. Pregnant sows returned more rapidly to baseline cortisol concentrations following the resident-intruder test (p = 0.006). However, there were no other differences in cortisol or ACTH concentrations according to treatment or day, or to the HPA responsivity test on day 26. Allopregnanolone concentration in pregnant sows was higher than in ovariectomized sows (p < 0.001), but stable during the first third of pregnancy. Allopregnanolone concentration was correlated with longer resident-intruder test duration (pregnant: r = 0.66, p = 0.0003; ovariectomized: r = 0.47, p = 0.03), reflecting lower aggressiveness, and with progesterone concentration (r = 0.25, p = 0.03). Alfaxalone administration raised plasma allopregnanolone concentration in alfaxalone-administered sows but resulted in little behavioral and physiological effects. These findings did not support the hypothesis that the stress response of the female pig changes in the first third of pregnancy. Allopregnanolone was associated with lower aggression in social encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Loup Rault
- a Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences , Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia
| | - Kate Plush
- b South Australia Research and Development Institute , Roseworthy , Australia , and
| | - Tamara Yawno
- c The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research-Prince Henrys Institute of Medical Research , Clayton , Australia
| | - Pieter Langendijk
- b South Australia Research and Development Institute , Roseworthy , Australia , and
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Effects of positive and negative modulators of the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor complex on responding under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule of reinforcement in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2014; 21:727-35. [PMID: 20838210 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e32833fa7c7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Relatively little is known about the behavioral effects of the neurosteroids compared with other drugs that modulate the γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor complex. This study examined the acute effects of pregnanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in male rats responding under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule of reinforcement. For comparison, three positive modulators of the GABAA receptor (lorazepam, ethanol, and pentobarbital), one negative modulator (β-CCM), and one neutral modulator (flumazenil) were tested. Pregnanolone was also administered in combination with DHEA to test for antagonism between these substances. Pregnanolone, lorazepam, and pentobarbital produced increases in responding at intermediate doses, and ethanol and pentobarbital produced decreases in responding at the highest doses tested. However, all four drugs dose-dependently decreased reinforced responding by decreasing inter-response times. DHEA, β-CCM, and flumazenil did not increase responding at intermediate doses or decrease reinforced responding. DHEA did not competitively antagonize the disruptive effects of pregnanolone. In summary, pregnanolone and DHEA produced effects on differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate responding that are similar to other positive and negative GABAA modulators, respectively, and do not produce these effects through a single binding site.
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Albrecht B, Staiger PK, Hall K, Miller P, Best D, Lubman DI. Benzodiazepine use and aggressive behaviour: a systematic review. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2014; 48:1096-114. [PMID: 25183003 DOI: 10.1177/0004867414548902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The relationship between benzodiazepine consumption and subsequent increases in aggressive behaviour in humans is not well understood. OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to identify, via a systematic review, whether there is an association between benzodiazepine consumption and aggressive responding in adults. METHOD A systematic review was conducted and reported in line with the PRISMA statement. English articles within MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection databases were searched. Additional studies were identified by searching reference lists of reviewed articles. Only articles that explicitly investigated the relationship between benzodiazepine consumption and subsequent aggressive behaviour, or a lack thereof, in human adults were included. RESULTS Forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. It was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity of study design and benzodiazepine type and dose. An association between benzodiazepine use and subsequent aggressive behaviour was found in the majority of the more rigorous studies, although there is a paucity of high-quality research with clinical or forensic populations. Diazepam and alprazolam have received the most attention. Dose-related findings are inconsistent: therapeutic doses may be more likely to be associated with aggressive responding when administered as a once-off, whereas higher doses may be more risky following repeated administration. Trait levels of anxiety and hostility may indicate a vulnerability to the experience of benzodiazepine-related aggression. CONCLUSIONS There appears to be a moderate association between some benzodiazepines and subsequent aggressive behaviour in humans. The circumstances under which aggressive responding may be more likely to follow benzodiazepine use remain unclear, although some evidence suggests dose and/or personality factors may influence this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Albrecht
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Petra K Staiger
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Hall
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia Turning Point, Eastern Health, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Peter Miller
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Best
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Dan I Lubman
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Fitzroy, Australia Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Santoru F, Berretti R, Locci A, Porcu P, Concas A. Decreased allopregnanolone induced by hormonal contraceptives is associated with a reduction in social behavior and sexual motivation in female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3351-64. [PMID: 24728651 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3539-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid involved in depression, memory, social, and sexual behavior. We have previously demonstrated that treatment with a combination of ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG), two compounds frequently used in hormonal contraception, decreased brain allopregnanolone concentrations. These changes may contribute to some of the emotional and sexual disorders observed in hormonal contraceptive users. OBJECTIVES We thus examined whether the reduction in allopregnanolone concentrations induced by long-term EE/LNG administration was associated with altered emotional, learning, social, and sexual behaviors. METHODS Rats were orally treated with a combination of EE (0.030 mg) and LNG (0.125 mg) once a day for 4 weeks and were subjected to behavioral tests 24 h after the last administration. RESULTS EE/LNG treatment reduced immobility behavior in the forced swim test, without affecting sucrose preference and spatial learning and memory. In the resident-intruder test, EE/LNG-treated rats displayed a decrease in dominant behaviors associated with a reduction in social investigation. In the paced mating test, EE/LNG treated rats showed a reduction in proceptive behaviors, while the lordosis quotient was not affected. Progesterone, but not estradiol, administration to EE/LNG-treated rats increased sexual activity and cerebrocortical allopregnanolone concentrations. Prior administration of finasteride decreased allopregnanolone concentrations and abolished the increase in proceptivity induced by progesterone administration. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in brain allopregnanolone concentrations induced by EE/LNG treatment is associated with a reduction in social behavior and sexual motivation in female rats. These results might be relevant to the side effects sometimes exhibited by women taking hormonal contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Santoru
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, University of Cagliari, SS 554 (Km. 4,500), 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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MacKenzie G, Maguire J. The role of ovarian hormone-derived neurosteroids on the regulation of GABAA receptors in affective disorders. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3333-42. [PMID: 24402140 PMCID: PMC4090295 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3423-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuroactive derivatives of steroid hormones, neurosteroids, can act on GABAA receptors (GABAARs) to potentiate the effects of GABA on these receptors. Neurosteroids become elevated to physiologically relevant levels under conditions characterized by increased steroid hormones. There is considerable evidence for plasticity of GABAARs associated with altered levels of neurosteroids which may counteract the fluctuations in the levels of these allosteric modulators. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review is to summarize the current literature on GABAAR plasticity under conditions characterized by alterations in neurosteroid levels, such as over the estrous cycle, during puberty, and throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. RESULTS The expression of specific GABAAR subunits is altered over the estrous cycle, at puberty, and throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Inability to regulate δ subunit-containing GABAARs throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period is associated with depression-like behavior restricted to the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS GABAAR plasticity associated with alterations in neurosteroid levels represents a homeostatic compensatory mechanism to maintain an ideal level of inhibition to offset the potentiating effects of neurosteroids on GABAergic inhibition. Failure to properly regulate GABAARs under conditions of altered neurosteroid levels may increase vulnerability to mood disorders, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina MacKenzie
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA 02111
| | - Jamie Maguire
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA 02111
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Porcu P, Morrow AL. Divergent neuroactive steroid responses to stress and ethanol in rat and mouse strains: relevance for human studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3257-72. [PMID: 24770626 PMCID: PMC4135033 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3564-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuroactive steroids are endogenous or synthetic steroids that rapidly alter neuronal excitability via membrane receptors, primarily γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Neuroactive steroids regulate many physiological processes including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, ovarian cycle, pregnancy, aging, and reward. Moreover, alterations in neuroactive steroid synthesis are implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVES This review will summarize the pharmacological properties and physiological regulation of neuroactive steroids, with a particular focus on divergent neuroactive steroid responses to stress and ethanol in rats, mice, and humans. RESULTS GABAergic neuroactive steroids exert a homeostatic regulation of the HPA axis in rats and humans, whereby the increase in neuroactive steroid levels following acute stress counteracts HPA axis hyperactivity and restores homeostasis. In contrast, in C57BL/6J mice, acute stress decreases neurosteroidogenesis and neuroactive steroids exert paradoxical excitatory effects upon the HPA axis. Rats, mice, and humans also differ in the neuroactive steroid responses to ethanol. Genetic variation in neurosteroidogenesis may explain the different neuroactive steroid responses to stress or ethanol. CONCLUSIONS Rats and mouse strains show divergent effects of stress and ethanol on neuroactive steroids in both plasma and brain. The study of genetic variation in the various processes that determine neuroactive steroids levels as well as their effects on cell signaling may underlie these differences and may play a relevant role for the potential therapeutic benefits of neuroactive steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cittadella Universitaria, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy,
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Sandhu KV, Lang D, Müller B, Nullmeier S, Yanagawa Y, Schwegler H, Stork O. Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency impairs social behavior in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2014; 13:439-50. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. V. Sandhu
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
| | - D. Lang
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
| | - B. Müller
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
| | - S. Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy; Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg; Magdeburg Germany
| | - Y. Yanagawa
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience; Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine and JST, CREST; Maebashi Japan
| | - H. Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy; Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg; Magdeburg Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences; Magdeburg Germany
| | - O. Stork
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences; Magdeburg Germany
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Allopregnanolone and mood disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2014; 113:88-94. [PMID: 23978486 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Abstract
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) metabolize many drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS), such as antidepressants and antipsychotics; drugs of abuse; endogenous neurochemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine; neurotoxins; and carcinogens. This takes place primarily in the liver, but metabolism can also occur in extrahepatic organs, including the brain. This is important for CNS-acting drugs, as variation in brain CYP-mediated metabolism may be a contributing factor when plasma levels do not predict drug response. This review summarizes the characterization of CYPs in the brain, using examples from the CYP2 subfamily, and discusses sources of variation in brain CYP levels and metabolism. Some recent experiments are described that demonstrate how changes in brain CYP metabolism can influence drug response, toxicity and drug-induced behaviours. Advancing knowledge of brain CYP-mediated metabolism may help us understand why patients respond differently to drugs used in psychiatry and predict risk for psychiatric disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel F. Tyndale
- Correspondence to: R.F. Tyndale, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto ON M5S 1A8;
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Burrows EL, Hannan AJ. Characterizing social behavior in genetically targeted mouse models of brain disorders. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 1017:95-104. [PMID: 23719910 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-438-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome, the leading inherited cause of mental retardation and autism spectrum disorders worldwide, is caused by a tandem repeat expansion in the FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) gene. It presents with a distinct behavioral phenotype which overlaps significantly with that of autism. Emerging evidence suggests that tandem repeat polymorphisms (TRPs) might also play a key role in modulating disease susceptibility for a range of common polygenic disorders, including the broader autism spectrum of disorders (ASD) and other forms of psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder [1]. In order to understand how TRPs and associated gene mutations mediate pathogenesis, various mouse models have been generated. A crucial step in such functional genomics is high-quality behavioral and cognitive phenotyping. This chapter presents a basic behavioral battery for standardized tests for assaying social phenotypes in mouse models of brain disorders, with a focus on aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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50
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Takahashi A, Miczek KA. Neurogenetics of aggressive behavior: studies in rodents. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2013; 17:3-44. [PMID: 24318936 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2013_263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior is observed in many animal species, such as insects, fish, lizards, frogs, and most mammals including humans. This wide range of conservation underscores the importance of aggressive behavior in the animals' survival and fitness, and the likely heritability of this behavior. Although typical patterns of aggressive behavior differ between species, there are several concordances in the neurobiology of aggression among rodents, primates, and humans. Studies with rodent models may eventually help us to understand the neurogenetic architecture of aggression in humans. However, it is important to recognize the difference between the ecological and ethological significance of aggressive behavior (species-typical aggression) and maladaptive violence (escalated aggression) when applying the findings of aggression research using animal models to human or veterinary medicine. Well-studied rodent models for aggressive behavior in the laboratory setting include the mouse (Mus musculus), rat (Rattus norvegicus), hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), and prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). The neural circuits of rodent aggression have been gradually elucidated by several techniques, e.g., immunohistochemistry of immediate-early gene (c-Fos) expression, intracranial drug microinjection, in vivo microdialysis, and optogenetics techniques. Also, evidence accumulated from the analysis of gene-knockout mice shows the involvement of several genes in aggression. Here, we review the brain circuits that have been implicated in aggression, such as the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and olfactory system. We then discuss the roles of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in the brain, as well as their receptors, in controlling aggressive behavior, focusing mainly on recent findings. At the end of this chapter, we discuss how genes can be identified that underlie individual differences in aggression, using the so-called forward genetics approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, (NIG), 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan,
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