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Yu D, Bao L, Yin B. Emotional contagion in rodents: A comprehensive exploration of mechanisms and multimodal perspectives. Behav Processes 2024; 216:105008. [PMID: 38373472 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Emotional contagion, a fundamental aspect of empathy, is an automatic and unconscious process in which individuals mimic and synchronize with the emotions of others. Extensively studied in rodents, this phenomenon is mediated through a range of sensory pathways, each contributing distinct insights. The olfactory pathway, marked by two types of pheromones modulated by oxytocin, plays a crucial role in transmitting emotional states. The auditory pathway, involving both squeaks and specific ultrasonic vocalizations, correlates with various emotional states and is essential for expression and communication in rodents. The visual pathway, though less relied upon, encompasses observational motions and facial expressions. The tactile pathway, a more recent focus, underscores the significance of physical interactions such as allogrooming and socio-affective touch in modulating emotional states. This comprehensive review not only highlights plausible neural mechanisms but also poses key questions for future research. It underscores the complexity of multimodal integration in emotional contagion, offering valuable insights for human psychology, neuroscience, animal welfare, and the burgeoning field of animal-human-AI interactions, thereby contributing to the development of a more empathetic intelligent future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delin Yu
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China
| | - Lili Bao
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China
| | - Bin Yin
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China.
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Takahashi J, Yamada D, Nagano W, Sano Y, Furuichi T, Saitoh A. Oxytocinergic projection from the hypothalamus to supramammillary nucleus drives recognition memory in mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294113. [PMID: 37971993 PMCID: PMC10653413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) neurons project to various brain regions and its receptor expression is widely distributed. Although it has been reported that OXT administration affects cognitive function, it is unclear how endogenous OXT plays roles in cognitive function. The present study examined the role of endogenous OXT in mice cognitive function. OXT neurons were specifically activated by OXT neuron-specific excitatory Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drug expression system and following administration of clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Object recognition memory was assessed with the novel object recognition task (NORT). Moreover, we observed the expression of c-Fos via immunohistochemical staining to confirm neuronal activity. In NORT, the novel object exploration time percentage significantly increased in CNO-treated mice. CNO-treated mice showed a significant increase in the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the supramammillary nucleus (SuM). In addition, we found that the OXT-positive fibers from paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) were identified in the SuM. Furthermore, mice injected locally with CNO into the SuM to activate OXTergic axons projecting from the PVN to the SuM showed significantly increased percentage time of novel object exploration. Taken together, we proposed that object recognition memory in mice could be modulated by OXT neurons in the PVN projecting to the SuM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Wakana Nagano
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Sano
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Teiichi Furuichi
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Saitoh
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
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Yoshioka T, Ohashi M, Matsumoto K, Omata T, Hamano T, Yamazaki M, Kimiki S, Okano K, Kobayashi R, Yamada D, Hada N, Kato S, Saitoh A. Repeated psychological stress, chronic vicarious social defeat stress, evokes irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in mice. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:993132. [PMID: 36277999 PMCID: PMC9582264 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.993132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has demonstrated that emotional states and intestinal conditions are inter-connected in so-called “brain–gut interactions.” Indeed, many psychiatric disorders are accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the functional connection remains elusive, partly because there are few useful experimental animal models. Here, we focused on a highly validated animal model of stress-induced psychiatric disorders, such as depression, known as the chronic vicarious social defeat stress (cVSDS) model mice, which we prepared using exposure to repeated psychological stress, thereafter examining their intestinal conditions. In the charcoal meal test and the capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia test, cVSDS model mice showed a significantly higher intestinal transit ratio and increased visceral pain-related behaviors, respectively. These changes persisted over one month after the stress session. On the other hand, the pathological evaluations of the histological and inflammatory scores of naive and cVSDS model mice did not differ. Furthermore, keishikashakuyakuto—a kampo medicine clinically used for the treatment of IBS—normalized the intestinal motility change in cVSDS model mice. Our results indicate that cVSDS model mice present IBS-like symptoms such as chronic intestinal peristaltic changes and abdominal hyperalgesia without organic lesion. We therefore propose the cVSDS paradigm as a novel animal model of IBS with wide validity, elucidating the correlation between depressive states and intestinal abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinori Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Misaki Ohashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Matsumoto
- Division of Pathological Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoki Omata
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Takumi Hamano
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Mayuna Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kimiki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Kotaro Okano
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Riho Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Noriyasu Hada
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kato
- Division of Pathological Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Saitoh
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- *Correspondence: Akiyoshi Saitoh,
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Alteration of sweet taste receptor expression in circumvallate papillae of mice with decreased sweet taste preference induced by social defeat stress. J Nutr Biochem 2022; 107:109055. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Chronic mild stress paradigm as a rat model of depression: facts, artifacts, and future perspectives. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:663-693. [PMID: 35072761 PMCID: PMC8785013 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05982-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm was first described almost 40 years ago and has become a widely used model in the search for antidepressant drugs for major depression disorder (MDD). It has resulted in the publication of almost 1700 studies in rats alone. Under the original CMS procedure, the expression of an anhedonic response, a key symptom of depression, was seen as an essential feature of both the model and a depressive state. The prolonged exposure of rodents to unpredictable/uncontrollable mild stressors leads to a reduction in the intake of palatable liquids, behavioral despair, locomotor inhibition, anxiety-like changes, and vegetative (somatic) abnormalities. Many of the CMS studies do not report these patterns of behaviors, and they often fail to include consistent molecular, neuroanatomical, and physiological phenotypes of CMS-exposed animals. OBJECTIVES To critically review the CMS studies in rats so that conceptual and methodological flaws can be avoided in future studies. RESULTS Analysis of the literature supports the validity of the CMS model and its impact on the field. However, further improvements could be achieved by (i) the stratification of animals into 'resilient' and 'susceptible' cohorts within the CMS animals, (ii) the use of more refined protocols in the sucrose test to mitigate physiological and physical artifacts, and (iii) the systematic evaluation of the non-specific effects of CMS and implementation of appropriate adjustments within the behavioral tests. CONCLUSIONS We propose methodological revisions and the use of more advanced behavioral tests to refine the rat CMS paradigm, which offers a valuable tool for developing new antidepressant medications.
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Behavioral mimicry of eating in mice. Neurosci Lett 2021; 770:136426. [PMID: 34971769 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136426] [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: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nonconscious behavioral mimicry is prevalent in humans and highly social animals who imitate the behaviors of others without awareness. Previous studies indicated people tended to match their amount of eating to that of their eating companions due to behavioral mimicry, however whether such phenomena were existed in rodents is still unknown. Developing a behavioral paradigm would be helpful to better understand the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral mimicry. In this study, we examined behavioral mimicry of eating in C57BL/6J mice which had strong sociality and were widely used as animal model in researches. We set up an eating monitoring platform, and this platform could record the data of mice eating behavior in real time. We further examined the behavioral mimicry of eating in mice, and found that the mice observing eating behavior of food-restricted mice would consume more food than control mice, and visual cue with eating behavior was sufficient to increased food consumption in mice. Our study indicated behavioral mimicry of eating was existed in mice and provided a mouse model for future studies on the mechanism of behavioral mimicry of eating.
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Prior stress experience modulates social preference for stressed conspecifics in male rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 765:136253. [PMID: 34537315 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Adult male rats tend to avoid adult conspecifics in distress. In this study, we asked whether prior stress experience would modulate social preference for a stressed conspecific using a social affective preference (SAP) test. Male Long-Evans adult rats were assigned to the shocked and non-shocked groups. In the shocked group, rats were acutely subjected to foot shocks (1.0 mA, 5 s duration × 2) 24 h before the SAP test. During the SAP test, the experimental rats were placed in an arena where two adult conspecific stimuli, one of which received the foot shocks immediately before the SAP test, were presented at both ends and allowed to explore freely for 5 min. We measured sniffing behavior toward each conspecific as an index of social preference. Non-shocked adult rats avoided, while shocked rats approached, the stressed conspecifics more than the non-stressed ones. These results suggest that prior stress promotes social preference for a stressed conspecific in adult male rats.
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A novel mouse model of postpartum depression using emotional stress as evaluated by nesting behavior. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22615. [PMID: 34799651 PMCID: PMC8604943 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression is an important mental health issue not only for the mother but also for the child’s development, other family members, and the society. An appropriate animal model is desired to elucidate the pathogenesis of postpartum depression. However, methods for stress loading during pregnancy have not been established. Behavioral experiments to investigate postpartum depression-like behaviors should be conducted without stress because behavioral tests affect rearing behaviors such as lactation. Therefore, we developed a new mouse model of postpartum depression using a psychological stress method. Mating partners were made to witness their partners experiencing social defeat stress and then listen to their cries. Emotional stress loading during pregnancy significantly increased postpartum depression-like behaviors. Postpartum depression also affected nurturing behaviors and caused disturbances in pup care. Furthermore, nesting behavior was impaired in the stressed group, suggesting that the observation of nesting behavior may be useful for assessing social dysfunction in postpartum depression. These results demonstrate the utility of this new mouse model of postpartum depression.
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Kamimura Y, Kuwagaki E, Hamano S, Kobayashi M, Yamada Y, Takahata Y, Yoshimoto W, Morimoto H, Yasukawa T, Uozumi Y, Nagasawa K. Reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice exposed to chronic social defeat stress with a modified sensory contact protocol. Life Sci 2021; 282:119821. [PMID: 34271059 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AIMS C57BL/6J mice are well-known to exhibit resilience to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) for induction of depressive-like behavior. Establishment of protocols for reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice would be useful to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms using target gene-knock-in and -out mice whose background is generally C57BL/6J. Here, we developed a modified CSDS protocol for reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice, and compared the profile of their gut microbiota with that with the standard CSDS protocol. MAIN METHODS To prevent acclimation of defeated C57BL/6J mice to aggressive ICR mice, the sensory contact following a daily 10 min-defeat episode was performed by housing an individual defeated mouse in a cage set next to a cage for the aggressor one. KEY FINDINGS The number of attacks by ICR mice on C57BL/6J ones was significantly increased with the modified CSDS protocol, and the susceptible mice exhibited greater hippocampal inflammation and an increased immobility time in the forced swim test, compared in the case of the standard CSDS protocol, and the reproducibility was confirmed in another set of experiments. Both the standard and modified CSDS protocols changed the diversity and relative composition of gut microbiota in the susceptible mice, but there was no apparent difference in them between the standard and modified CSDS-susceptible mice. SIGNIFICANCE We established a CSDS protocol for reproducible induction of depressive-like behavior in C57BL/6J mice, and the features of the gut microbiota were similar in the susceptible mice with and without the depressive-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kamimura
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Erina Kuwagaki
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Sakika Hamano
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Mami Kobayashi
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Yukie Yamada
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Yuka Takahata
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Waka Yoshimoto
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Morimoto
- Technical Development Division, Ako Kasei, Co., Ltd., 329 Sakoshi, Ako 678-0193, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yasukawa
- Technical Development Division, Ako Kasei, Co., Ltd., 329 Sakoshi, Ako 678-0193, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Uozumi
- Technical Development Division, Ako Kasei, Co., Ltd., 329 Sakoshi, Ako 678-0193, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nagasawa
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
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