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Ibáñez Alcalá RJ, Beck DW, Salcido AA, Davila LD, Giri A, Heaton CN, Villarreal Rodriguez K, Rakocevic LI, Hossain SB, Reyes NF, Batson SA, Macias AY, Drammis SM, Negishi K, Zhang Q, Umashankar Beck S, Vara P, Joshi A, Franco AJ, Hernandez Carbajal BJ, Ordonez MM, Ramirez FY, Lopez JD, Lozano N, Ramirez A, Legaspy L, Cruz PL, Armenta AA, Viel SN, Aguirre JI, Quintanar O, Medina F, Ordonez PM, Munoz AE, Martínez Gaudier GE, Naime GM, Powers RE, O'Dell LE, Moschak TM, Goosens KA, Friedman A. RECORD, a high-throughput, customizable system that unveils behavioral strategies leveraged by rodents during foraging-like decision-making. Commun Biol 2024; 7:822. [PMID: 38971889 PMCID: PMC11227549 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06489-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Translational studies benefit from experimental designs where laboratory organisms use human-relevant behaviors. One such behavior is decision-making, however studying complex decision-making in rodents is labor-intensive and typically restricted to two levels of cost/reward. We design a fully automated, inexpensive, high-throughput framework to study decision-making across multiple levels of rewards and costs: the REward-COst in Rodent Decision-making (RECORD) system. RECORD integrates three components: 1) 3D-printed arenas, 2) custom electronic hardware, and 3) software. We validated four behavioral protocols without employing any food or water restriction, highlighting the versatility of our system. RECORD data exposes heterogeneity in decision-making both within and across individuals that is quantifiably constrained. Using oxycodone self-administration and alcohol-consumption as test cases, we reveal how analytic approaches that incorporate behavioral heterogeneity are sensitive to detecting perturbations in decision-making. RECORD is a powerful approach to studying decision-making in rodents, with features that facilitate translational studies of decision-making in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dirk W Beck
- Computational Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Alexis A Salcido
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Luis D Davila
- Computational Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Atanu Giri
- Computational Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Cory N Heaton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | | | - Lara I Rakocevic
- Computational Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Safa B Hossain
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Neftali F Reyes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Serina A Batson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Andrea Y Macias
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Sabrina M Drammis
- Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Qingyang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Paulina Vara
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Arnav Joshi
- Computational Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Austin J Franco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | | | - Miguel M Ordonez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Felix Y Ramirez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan D Lopez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Nayeli Lozano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Abigail Ramirez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Linnete Legaspy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Paulina L Cruz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Abril A Armenta
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Stephanie N Viel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Jessica I Aguirre
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Odalys Quintanar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Fernanda Medina
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Pablo M Ordonez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Alfonzo E Munoz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | | | - Gabriela M Naime
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Rosalie E Powers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Laura E O'Dell
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Travis M Moschak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Ki A Goosens
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Alexander Friedman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
- Computational Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
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Ajuwon V, Cruz BF, Carriço P, Kacelnik A, Monteiro T. GoFish: A low-cost, open-source platform for closed-loop behavioural experiments on fish. Behav Res Methods 2024; 56:318-329. [PMID: 36622558 PMCID: PMC10794453 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-022-02049-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fish are the most species-rich vertebrate group, displaying vast ecological, anatomical and behavioural diversity, and therefore are of major interest for the study of behaviour and its evolution. However, with respect to other vertebrates, fish are relatively underrepresented in psychological and cognitive research. A greater availability of easily accessible, flexible, open-source experimental platforms that facilitate the automation of task control and data acquisition may help to reduce this bias and improve the scalability and refinement of behavioural experiments in a range of different fish species. Here we present GoFish, a fully automated platform for behavioural experiments in aquatic species. GoFish includes real-time video tracking of subjects, presentation of stimuli in a computer screen, an automatic feeder device, and closed-loop control of task contingencies and data acquisition. The design and software components of the platform are freely available, while the hardware is open-source and relatively inexpensive. The control software, Bonsai, is designed to facilitate rapid development of task workflows and is supported by a growing community of users. As an illustration and test of its use, we present the results of two experiments on discrimination learning, reversal, and choice in goldfish (Carassius auratus). GoFish facilitates the automation of high-throughput protocols and the acquisition of rich behavioural data. Our platform has the potential to become a widely used tool that facilitates complex behavioural experiments in aquatic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Ajuwon
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Bruno F Cruz
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
- NeuroGEARS Ltd., London, UK
| | - Paulo Carriço
- Champalimaud Research Scientific Hardware Platform, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alex Kacelnik
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tiago Monteiro
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Jendryka MM, Lewin U, van der Veen B, Kapanaiah SKT, Prex V, Strahnen D, Akam T, Liss B, Pekcec A, Nissen W, Kätzel D. Control of sustained attention and impulsivity by G q-protein signalling in parvalbumin interneurons of the anterior cingulate cortex. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:243. [PMID: 37407615 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More specifically, an appropriate balance of excitatory and inhibitory activity in the ACC may be critical for the control of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and sustained attention which are centrally affected in ADHD. Hence, pharmacological augmentation of parvalbumin- (PV) or somatostatin-positive (Sst) inhibitory ACC interneurons could be a potential treatment strategy. We, therefore, tested whether stimulation of Gq-protein-coupled receptors (GqPCRs) in these interneurons could improve attention or impulsivity assessed with the 5-choice-serial reaction-time task in male mice. When challenging impulse control behaviourally or pharmacologically, activation of the chemogenetic GqPCR hM3Dq in ACC PV-cells caused a selective decrease of active erroneous-i.e. incorrect and premature-responses, indicating improved attentional and impulse control. When challenging attention, in contrast, omissions were increased, albeit without extension of reward latencies or decreases of attentional accuracy. These effects largely resembled those of the ADHD medication atomoxetine. Additionally, they were mostly independent of each other within individual animals. GqPCR activation in ACC PV-cells also reduced hyperactivity. In contrast, if hM3Dq was activated in Sst-interneurons, no improvement of impulse control was observed, and a reduction of incorrect responses was only induced at high agonist levels and accompanied by reduced motivational drive. These results suggest that the activation of GqPCRs expressed specifically in PV-cells of the ACC may be a viable strategy to improve certain aspects of sustained attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity in ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin M Jendryka
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Div. Research Germany, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Uwe Lewin
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Vivien Prex
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Strahnen
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Akam
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Birgit Liss
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Linacre College and New College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anton Pekcec
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Div. Research Germany, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Wiebke Nissen
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Div. Research Germany, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Dennis Kätzel
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
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Kilonzo K, Strahnen D, Prex V, Gems J, van der Veen B, Kapanaiah SKT, Murthy BKB, Schulz S, Sprengel R, Bannerman D, Kätzel D. Distinct contributions of GluA1-containing AMPA receptors of different hippocampal subfields to salience processing, memory and impulse control. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:102. [PMID: 35288531 PMCID: PMC8921206 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01863-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with a broad range of severe and currently pharmacoresistant cognitive deficits. Prior evidence suggests that hypofunction of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) containing the subunit GLUA1, encoded by GRIA1, might be causally related to impairments of selective attention and memory in this disorder, at least in some patients. In order to clarify the roles of GluA1 in distinct cell populations, we investigated behavioural consequences of selective Gria1-knockout in excitatory neurons of subdivisions of the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, assessing sustained attention, impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, anxiety, sociability, hyperactivity, and various forms of short-term memory in mice. We found that virally induced reduction of GluA1 across multiple hippocampal subfields impaired spatial working memory. Transgene-mediated ablation of GluA1 from excitatory cells of CA2 impaired short-term memory for conspecifics and objects. Gria1 knockout in CA3 pyramidal cells caused mild impairments of object-related and spatial short-term memory, but appeared to partially increase social interaction and sustained attention and to reduce motor impulsivity. Our data suggest that reduced hippocampal GluA1 expression-as seen in some patients with schizophrenia-may be a central cause particularly for several short-term memory deficits. However, as impulse control and sustained attention actually appeared to improve with GluA1 ablation in CA3, strategies of enhancement of AMPAR signalling likely require a fine balance to be therapeutically effective across the broad symptom spectrum of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasyoka Kilonzo
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Strahnen
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Vivien Prex
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - John Gems
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stefanie Schulz
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Bannerman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dennis Kätzel
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
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Akam T, Lustig A, Rowland JM, Kapanaiah SKT, Esteve-Agraz J, Panniello M, Márquez C, Kohl MM, Kätzel D, Costa RM, Walton ME. Open-source, Python-based, hardware and software for controlling behavioural neuroscience experiments. eLife 2022; 11:e67846. [PMID: 35043782 PMCID: PMC8769647 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Laboratory behavioural tasks are an essential research tool. As questions asked of behaviour and brain activity become more sophisticated, the ability to specify and run richly structured tasks becomes more important. An increasing focus on reproducibility also necessitates accurate communication of task logic to other researchers. To these ends, we developed pyControl, a system of open-source hardware and software for controlling behavioural experiments comprising a simple yet flexible Python-based syntax for specifying tasks as extended state machines, hardware modules for building behavioural setups, and a graphical user interface designed for efficiently running high-throughput experiments on many setups in parallel, all with extensive online documentation. These tools make it quicker, easier, and cheaper to implement rich behavioural tasks at scale. As important, pyControl facilitates communication and reproducibility of behavioural experiments through a highly readable task definition syntax and self-documenting features. Here, we outline the system's design and rationale, present validation experiments characterising system performance, and demonstrate example applications in freely moving and head-fixed mouse behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Akam
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Program, Champalimaud Centre for the UnknownLisbonPortugal
| | - Andy Lustig
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - James M Rowland
- Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Joan Esteve-Agraz
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas)Sant Joan d’AlacantSpain
| | - Mariangela Panniello
- Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Cristina Márquez
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas)Sant Joan d’AlacantSpain
| | - Michael M Kohl
- Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Dennis Kätzel
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm UniversityUlmGermany
| | - Rui M Costa
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Program, Champalimaud Centre for the UnknownLisbonPortugal
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Mark E Walton
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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