1
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Aspesi D, Bass N, Kavaliers M, Choleris E. The role of androgens and estrogens in social interactions and social cognition. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00151-3. [PMID: 37080448 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.028] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Gonadal hormones are becoming increasingly recognized for their effects on cognition. Estrogens, in particular, have received attention for their effects on learning and memory that rely upon the functioning of various brain regions. However, the impacts of androgens on cognition are relatively under investigated. Testosterone, as well as estrogens, have been shown to play a role in the modulation of different aspects of social cognition. This review explores the impact of testosterone and other androgens on various facets of social cognition including social recognition, social learning, social approach/avoidance, and aggression. We highlight the relevance of considering not only the actions of the most commonly studied steroids (i.e., testosterone, 17β-estradiol, and dihydrotestosterone), but also that of their metabolites and precursors, which interact with a plethora of different receptors and signalling molecules, ultimately modulating behaviour. We point out that it is also essential to investigate the effects of androgens, their precursors and metabolites in females, as prior studies have mostly focused on males. Overall, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of steroids such as androgens on behaviour is fundamental for a full understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, including that of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Aspesi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph
| | - Noah Bass
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph.
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2
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Soloperto S, Olivier S, Poret A, Minier C, Halm-Lemeille MP, Jozet-Alves C, Aroua S. Effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol on the neuroendocrine gonadotropic system and behavior of European sea bass larvae ( Dicentrarchus labrax). JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2023; 86:198-215. [PMID: 36803253 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2177781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and other estrogenic endocrine disruptors, results in a continuous release of estrogenic compounds into aquatic environments. Xenoestrogens may interfere with the neuroendocrine system of aquatic organisms and may produce various adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to expose European sea bass larvae (Dicentrarchus labrax) to EE2 (0.5 and 50 nM) for 8 d and determine the expression levels of brain aromatase (cyp19a1b), gonadotropin-releasing hormones (gnrh1, gnrh2, gnrh3), kisspeptins (kiss1, kiss2) and estrogen receptors (esr1, esr2a, esr2b, gpera, gperb). Growth and behavior of larvae as evidenced by locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors were measured 8 d after EE2 treatment and a depuration period of 20 d. Exposure to 0.5 nM EE2 induced a significant increase in cyp19a1b expression levels, while upregulation of gnrh2, kiss1, and cyp19a1b expression was noted after 8 d at 50 nM EE2. Standard length at the end of the exposure phase was significantly lower in larvae exposed to 50 nM EE2 than in control; however, this effect was no longer observed after the depuration phase. The upregulation of gnrh2, kiss1, and cyp19a1b expression levels was found in conjunction with elevation in locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors in larvae. Behavioral alterations were still detected at the end of the depuration phase. Evidence indicates that the long-lasting effects of EE2 on behavior might impact normal development and subsequent fitness of exposed fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Soloperto
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, Le Havre Cedex, France
| | - S Olivier
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, Le Havre Cedex, France
| | - A Poret
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, Le Havre Cedex, France
| | - C Minier
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, Le Havre Cedex, France
| | - M P Halm-Lemeille
- Ifremer Port-en-Bessin, LaboratoireEnvironnement Ressources de Normandie, Port-en-Bessin, France
| | - C Jozet-Alves
- Normandie Univ, Unicaen, CNRS, Caen, France
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Rennes, France
| | - S Aroua
- Normandie Univ, UNIHAVRE, Le Havre Cedex, France
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3
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Paletta P, Bass N, Aspesi D, Choleris E. Sex Differences in Social Cognition. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 62:207-234. [PMID: 35604571 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_325] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In this review we explore the sex differences underlying various types of social cognition. Particular focus will be placed on the behaviors of social recognition, social learning, and aggression. Known similarities and differences between sexes in the expressions of these behaviors and the known brain regions where these behaviors are mediated are discussed. The role that the sex hormones (estrogens and androgens) have as well as possible interactions with other neurochemicals, such as oxytocin, vasopressin, and serotonin is reviewed as well. Finally, implications about these findings on the mediation of social cognition are mediated and the sex differences related to humans are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Paletta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Noah Bass
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Dario Aspesi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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4
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Khaksari M, Hajializadeh Z, Mahani SE, Soltani Z, Asadikaram G. Estrogen receptor agonists induce anti‑edema effects by altering α and β estrogen receptor gene expression. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2021; 81:286-294. [PMID: 34672299 DOI: 10.21307/ane-2021-027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine whether the attenuation of estrogen receptor expression is prevented by propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), an agonist for estrogen receptor α (ERα) or and diarypropiolnitrile (DPN), an agonist for estrogen receptor β (ERβ) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The tests performed on ovariectomized female Wistar rats included sham group, vehicle group, and treated groups: PPT, DPN, and PPT+DPN 30 minutes after TBI. Blood‑brain barrier (BBB) disruption and brain water content were estimated. RT‑PCR and\r\nwestern blotting were utilized to evaluate ESR1 and ESR2 gene and protein expression. The data indicated that PPT, DPN, and PPT+DPN attenuated TBI‑induced brain edema. Also, BBB disruption after TBI was prevented in PPT, DPN, and PPT+DPN‑treated TBI animals. Estrogen agonist‑treated animals showed a significant elevation in Esr1 mRNA and protein expression levels in the brain tissue of TBI rats. In addition, the data indicated a significant elevation of Esr2 mRNA and protein expression levels in the brain tissue of estrogen agonist‑treated TBI rats. The data shows that both ESR1 and ESR2 agonists can enhance ER mRNA and protein levels in TBI animals' brain. It appears that this effect contributes to the neuroprotective function of ER agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Khaksari
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
| | - Zahra Hajializadeh
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeed Esmaeili Mahani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Soltani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Asadikaram
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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5
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Ahadullah, Yau SY, Lu HX, Lee TMC, Guo H, Chan CCH. PM 2.5 as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder: Its possible link to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and changes in gene expression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:534-548. [PMID: 34216652 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by behavioral deficits including impairments in social communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Because the etiology of ASD is still largely unknown, there is no cure for ASD thus far. Although it has been established that genetic components play a vital role in ASD development, the influence of epigenetic regulation induced by environmental factors could also contribute to ASD susceptibility. Accumulated evidence has suggested that exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in polluted air could affect neurodevelopment, thus possibly leading to ASD. Particles with a size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) or less have been shown to have negative effects on human health, and could be linked to ASD symptoms in children. This review summarizes evidence from clinical and animal studies to demonstrate the possible linkage between PM2.5 exposure and the incidence of ASD in children. An attempt was made to explore the possible mechanisms of this linkage, including changes of gene expression, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahadullah
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Hao-Xian Lu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tatia M C Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Human Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hai Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chetwyn C H Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
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6
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Kishan Prasad HL. Estrogen alpha and beta subtype analysis in breast carcinomas - newer prognostic marker in the making? MEDICAL JOURNAL OF DR. D.Y. PATIL VIDYAPEETH 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_244_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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7
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Eid RS, Lieblich SE, Duarte-Guterman P, Chaiton JA, Mah AG, Wong SJ, Wen Y, Galea LAM. Selective activation of estrogen receptors α and β: Implications for depressive-like phenotypes in female mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104651. [PMID: 31790664 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor (ER) mechanisms by which 17β-estradiol influences depressive-like behaviour have primarily been investigated acutely and not within an animal model of depression. Therefore, the current study aimed to dissect the contribution of ERα and ERβ to the effects of 17β-estradiol under non-stress and chronic stress conditions. Ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated mice were treated chronically (47 days) with 17β-estradiol (E2), the ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN), the ERα agonist propylpyrazole-triol (PPT), or vehicle. On day 15 of treatment, mice from each group were assigned to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS; 28 days) or non-CUS conditions. Mice were assessed for anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Cytokine and chemokine levels, and postsynaptic density protein 95 were measured in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, and adult hippocampal neurogenesis was assessed. Overall, the effects of CUS were more robust that those of estrogenic treatments, as seen by increased immobility in the tail suspension test (TST), reduced PSD-95 expression, reduced neurogenesis in the ventral hippocampus, and HPA axis negative feedback dysregulation. However, we also observe CUS-dependent and -independent effects of ovarian status and estrogenic treatments. The effects of CUS on PSD-95 expression, the cytokine milieu, and in TST were largely driven by PPT and DPN, indicating that these treatments were not protective. Independent of CUS, estradiol increased neurogenesis in the dorsal hippocampus, blunted the corticosterone response to an acute stressor, and increased anxiety-like behaviour. These findings provide insights into the complexities of estrogen signaling in modulating depressive-like phenotypes under non-stress and chronic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rand S Eid
- Graduate program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephanie E Lieblich
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paula Duarte-Guterman
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jessica A Chaiton
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda G Mah
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah J Wong
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yanhua Wen
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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8
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Kitchenham L, Ervin K, Tigert M, Mason G, Choleris E. Does demonstrator relevance affect social preferences and the social transmission of food preferences in female mice (Mus musculus)? Behav Processes 2019; 169:103983. [PMID: 31622658 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103983] [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: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study examined whether a history of beneficial social learning experiences affects social partner preferences in laboratory mice (Mus musculus) and whether observer mice acquire adaptive model-based social learning strategies through associative learning. We tested whether observers would come to socially prefer demonstrators who provide beneficial information through the social transmission of food preference (STFP), over demonstrators who do not; and whether they would preferentially attend to and learn from such demonstrators. Observers were given repeated exposures to two demonstrators who differed in whether or not they consistently provided beneficial information (which increased observers' ingestion of food via the STFP). After multiple social learning experiences with a "relevant demonstrator" (our CS+) whose demonstrated food was available for consumption (our US) by the observer and a "non-relevant demonstrator" whose demonstrated food was never encountered, neither demonstrator was preferred over the other. Furthermore, observers learned equally well from both relevant and non-relevant demonstrators. The present findings suggest that adaptive model-based social learning strategies are not followed in the STFP, although we recommend further testing of the social preference hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelsy Ervin
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Melissa Tigert
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Georgia Mason
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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9
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Tzakis N, Holahan MR. Social Memory and the Role of the Hippocampal CA2 Region. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:233. [PMID: 31632251 PMCID: PMC6779725 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The CA2 region of the hippocampus is a somewhat obscure area lacking in an understanding of its form and function. Until recently, the CA2 has been thought of as merely an extension of the CA3, with some referring to it as the CA3a region. Recent investigations into this area have not only delineated the CA2, but also defined it as a region distinct from both CA1 and CA3, with a unique set of cortical inputs and outputs and contributions to cognitive processes. One such process that has been shown to depend on the CA2 is the ability to recognize a novel or familiar conspecific, known as social recognition memory. Here, we review these findings and discuss the parallels between CA2 dysfunction and social impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Tzakis
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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10
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Abstract
AbstractMate choice is generally regarded as an independent event, but a growing body of evidence indicates that it can be influenced by social information provided by conspecifics. This is known as non-independent mate choice. Individuals use information gathered by observing interactions between conspecifics to copy or not copy the mate choice of these conspecifics. In this review, we examine the factors that affect non-independent mate choice and mate choice copying and how it is influenced by social and environmental information that is available to the subject or focal individual. Specifically, we discuss how non-independent mate choice and whether individuals copy the choices of conspecifics can be influenced by factors such as habitat and differences in ecology, mating system and parental care. We focus on the social information provided to the focal animal, the model and the audience. Nearly all studies of non-independent mate choice and mate copying have focused on individuals in species that use visual cues as the source of social information. Nevertheless, we highlight studies that indicate that individuals in some species may use chemical cues and signals as sources of social information that may affect non-independent mate choice and mate copying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Scauzillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ellington Hall, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael H Ferkin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ellington Hall, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
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11
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Kavaliers M, Choleris E. The role of social cognition in parasite and pathogen avoidance. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0206. [PMID: 29866919 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition and use of social information are integral to social behaviour and parasite/pathogen avoidance. This involves social cognition which encompasses mechanisms for acquiring, processing, retaining and acting on social information. Social cognition entails the acquisition of social information about others (i.e. social recognition) and from others (i.e. social learning). Social cognition involves assessing other individuals and their infection status and the pathogen and parasite threat they pose and deciding about when and how to interact with them. Social cognition provides a framework for examining pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours and their associated neurobiological mechanisms. Here, we briefly consider the relationships between social cognition and olfactory-mediated pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours. We briefly discuss aspects of (i) social recognition of actual and potentially infected individuals and the impact of parasite/pathogen threat on mate and social partner choice; (ii) the roles of 'out-groups' (strangers, unfamiliar individuals) and 'in-groups' (familiar individuals) in the expression of parasite/pathogen avoidance behaviours; (iii) individual and social learning, i.e. the utilization of the pathogen recognition and avoidance responses of others; and (iv) the neurobiological mechanisms, in particular the roles of the nonapeptide, oxytocin and steroid hormones (oestrogens) associated with social cognition and parasite/pathogen avoidance.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Social Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2 .,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
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12
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Monfils MH, Agee LA. Insights from social transmission of information in rodents. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12534. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie H. Monfils
- Department of Psychology University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas
| | - Laura A. Agee
- Department of Psychology University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas
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13
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Ambhore NS, Katragadda R, Raju Kalidhindi RS, Thompson MA, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS, Sathish V. Estrogen receptor beta signaling inhibits PDGF induced human airway smooth muscle proliferation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 476:37-47. [PMID: 29680290 PMCID: PMC6120801 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell hyperplasia driven by persistent inflammation is a hallmark feature of remodeling in asthma. Sex steroid signaling in the lungs is of considerable interest, given epidemiological data showing more asthma in pre-menopausal women and aging men. Our previous studies demonstrated that estrogen receptor (ER) expression increases in asthmatic human ASM; however, very limited data are available regarding differential roles of ERα vs. ERβ isoforms in human ASM cell proliferation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of selective ERα and ERβ modulators on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated ASM proliferation and the mechanisms involved. Asthmatic and non-asthmatic primary human ASM cells were treated with PDGF, 17β-estradiol, ERα-agonist and/or ERβ-agonist and/or G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPR30/GPER) agonist and proliferation was measured using MTT and CyQuant assays followed by cell cycle analysis. Transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) ERα and ERβ significantly altered the human ASM proliferation. The specificity of siRNA transfection was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Gene and protein expression of cell cycle-related antigens (PCNA and Ki67) and C/EBP were measured by RT-PCR and Western analysis, along with cell signaling proteins. PDGF significantly increased ASM proliferation in non-asthmatic and asthmatic cells. Treatment with PPT showed no significant effect on PDGF-induced proliferation, whereas WAY interestingly suppressed proliferation via inhibition of ERK1/2, Akt, and p38 signaling. PDGF-induced gene expression of PCNA, Ki67 and C/EBP in human ASM was significantly lower in cells pre-treated with WAY. Furthermore, WAY also inhibited PDGF-activated PCNA, C/EBP, cyclin-D1, and cyclin-E. Overall, we demonstrate ER isoform-specific signaling in the context of ASM proliferation. Activation of ERβ can diminish remodeling in human ASM by inhibiting pro-proliferative signaling pathways, and may point to a novel perception for blunting airway remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rathnavali Katragadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | | | - Michael A Thompson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Christina M Pabelick
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Y S Prakash
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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14
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Ogawa S, Tsukahara S, Choleris E, Vasudevan N. Estrogenic regulation of social behavior and sexually dimorphic brain formation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 110:46-59. [PMID: 30392880 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It has long been known that the estrogen, 17β-estradiol (17β-E), plays a central role for female reproductive physiology and behavior. Numerous studies have established the neurochemical and molecular basis of estrogenic induction of female sexual behavior, i.e., lordosis, in animal models. In addition, 17β-E also regulates male-type sexual and aggressive behavior. In males, testosterone secreted from the testes is irreversibly aromatized to 17β-E in the brain. We discuss the contribution of two nuclear receptor isoforms, estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ to the estrogenic regulation of sexually dimorphic brain formation and sex-typical expression of these social behaviors. Furthermore, 17β-E is a key player for social behaviors such as social investigation, preference, recognition and memory as well as anxiety-related behaviors in social contexts. Recent studies also demonstrated that not only nuclear receptor-mediated genomic signaling but also membrane receptor-mediated non-genomic actions of 17β-E may underlie the regulation of these behaviors. Finally, we will discuss how rapidly developing research tools and ideas allow us to investigate estrogenic action by emphasizing behavioral neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonoko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Shinji Tsukahara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nandini Vasudevan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, WhiteKnights Campus, Reading, RG6 6AS, United Kingdom
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15
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Rubio L, Téllez L, Regalado M, Torrero C, Salas M. Effects of perinatal undernutrition on social transmission of food preference in adult male Wistar rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 71:105-110. [PMID: 30149118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in learning and memory, and early experimental undernutrition interferes with brain memory processes. Social transmission of food preference (STFP) is a natural olfactory paired-associate learning test that has not been used to assess the effects of early undernutrition on memory consolidation. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and early undernourished. The underfed rats received different percentages of a balanced diet during gestation. After birth, pups were underfed by alternating every 12 h between two lactating dams, one with ligated nipples. Weaning occurred on PD 25 followed by an ad lib diet until PD 90. Demonstrator rats were given powdered food mixed with cinnamon, followed by a 30-min interaction with an underfed observer. Thereafter, the observer had two choices of food: cinnamon or cocoa. During the food preference test, control and underfed OBS rats preferred the food containing cinnamon. Through social interaction, the UG OBS rats showed latency for head contacts and oral-nasal investigation was higher in the underfed rats; only head contacts and oral-nasal investigation frequency was lower; with the duration lower, but oral-nasal investigation duration was higher (p < 0.05). In the preference phase, the OBS underfed rat latencies for both stimuli were prolonged, the frequency lower only for cocoa, and the duration lower for cinnamon but higher for cocoa (p < 0.05). Findings suggested that early undernutrition interfered with the attentive social transmission to take a decision during the preference phase, but not with the short-term memory consolidation of social food preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Rubio
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Laura Téllez
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Mirelta Regalado
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Carmen Torrero
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Manuel Salas
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
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16
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Kavaliers M, Ossenkopp KP, Choleris E. Social neuroscience of disgust. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12508. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario Canada
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17
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Korol DL, Wang W. Using a memory systems lens to view the effects of estrogens on cognition: Implications for human health. Physiol Behav 2018; 187:67-78. [PMID: 29203121 PMCID: PMC5844822 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the organizing and activating effects of gonadal steroids on adult physiology can guide insight into sex differences in and hormonal influences on health and disease, ranging from diabetes and other metabolic disorders, emotion and stress regulation, substance abuse, pain perception, immune function and inflammation, to cognitive function and dysfunction accompanying neurological disorders. Because the brain is highly sensitive to many forms of estrogens, it is not surprising that many adult behaviors, including cognitive function, are modulated by estrogens. Estrogens are known for their facilitating effects on learning and memory, but it is becoming increasingly clear that they also can impair learning and memory of some classes of tasks and may do so through direct actions on specific neural systems. This review takes a multiple memory systems approach to understanding how estrogens can at the same time enhance hippocampus-sensitive place learning and impair striatum-sensitive response learning by exploring the role estrogen receptor signaling may play in the opposing cognitive effects of estrogens. Accumulating evidence suggests that neither receptor subtype nor the timing of treatment, i.e. rapid vs slow, explain the bidirectional effects of estrogens on different types of learning. New findings pointing to neural metabolism and the provision of energy substrates by astrocytes as a candidate mechanism for cognitive enhancement and impairment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Korol
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
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18
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Hadjimarkou MM, Vasudevan N. GPER1/GPR30 in the brain: Crosstalk with classical estrogen receptors and implications for behavior. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 176:57-64. [PMID: 28465157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The GPER1/GPR30 is a membrane estrogen receptor (mER) that binds 17β-estradiol (17β-E) with high affinity and is thought to play a role in cancer progression and cardiovascular health. Though widespread in the central nervous system, less is known about this receptor's function in the brain. GPER1 has been shown to activate kinase cascades and calcium flux within cells rapidly, thus fitting in with the idea of being a mER that mediates non-genomic signaling by estrogens. Signaling from GPER1 has been shown to improve spatial memory, possibly via release of neurotransmitters and generation of new spines on neurons in the hippocampus. In addition, GPER1 activation contributes to behaviors that denote anxiety and to social behaviors such as social memory and lordosis behavior in mice. In the male hippocampus, GPER1 activation has also been shown to phosphorylate the classical intracellular estrogen receptor (ER)α, suggesting that crosstalk with ERα is important in the display of these behaviors, many of which are absent in ERα-null mice. In this review, we present a number of categories of such crosstalk, using examples from literature. The function of GPER1 as an ERα collaborator or as a mER in different tissues is relevant to understanding both normal physiology and abnormal pathology, mediated by estrogen signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Hadjimarkou
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Nandini Vasudevan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom RG6 6AS, United Kingdom.
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19
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Choleris E, Galea LAM, Sohrabji F, Frick KM. Sex differences in the brain: Implications for behavioral and biomedical research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 85:126-145. [PMID: 29287628 PMCID: PMC5751942 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Biological differences between males and females are found at multiple levels. However, females have too often been under-represented in behavioral neuroscience research, which has stymied the study of potential sex differences in neurobiology and behavior. This review focuses on the study of sex differences in the neurobiology of social behavior, memory, emotions, and recovery from brain injury, with particular emphasis on the role of estrogens in regulating forebrain function. This work, presented by the authors at the 2016 meeting of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, emphasizes varying approaches from several mammalian species in which sex differences have not only been documented, but also become the focus of efforts to understand the mechanistic basis underlying them. This information may provide readers with useful experimental tools to successfully address recently introduced regulations by granting agencies that either require (e.g. the National Institutes of Health in the United States and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in Canada) or recommend (e.g. Horizon 2020 in Europe) the inclusion of both sexes in biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, MacKinnon Bldg. Room 4020, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada
| | - Farida Sohrabji
- Women's Health in Neuroscience Program, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M HSC College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, United States
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States
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20
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The Role of Dorsal Hippocampal Dopamine D1-Type Receptors in Social Learning, Social Interactions, and Food Intake in Male and Female Mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2344-2353. [PMID: 28240292 PMCID: PMC5645744 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying social learning (ie, in which an animal's learning is influenced by another) are slowly being unraveled. Previous work with systemic treatments shows that dopamine (DA) D1-type receptors mediate social learning in the social transmission of food preferences (STFP) in mice. This study examines the involvement of one brain region underlying this effect. The ventral tegmental area has dopaminergic projections to many limbic structures, including the hippocampus-a site important for social learning in the STFP in rodents. In this study, adult male and female CD-1 mice received a dorsal hippocampal microinfusion of the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH23390 at 1, 2, 4, or 6 μg/μl 15 min before a 30 min social interaction with a same-sex conspecific, in which mice had the opportunity to learn a socially transmitted food preference. Results show that social learning was blocked in female mice microinfused with 6 μg/μl, and in males infused with 1, 4, or 6 μg/μl of SCH23390. This social learning impairment could not be explained by changes in total food intake, or olfactory discrimination. A detailed analysis of the social interactions also revealed that although SCH23390 did not affect oronasal investigation for either sex, drug treatments affected other social behaviors in a sex-specific manner; there was primarily a reduction in agonistic-related behaviors among males, and social investigatory-related behaviors among females. Thus, this study shows that dorsal hippocampal D1-type receptors mediate social learning and social behaviors in male and female mice.
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21
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The anticancer estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen impairs consolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory through estrogen receptor alpha. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 124:1331-1339. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1785-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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22
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Kavaliers M, Choleris E. Social Cognition and the Neurobiology of Rodent Mate Choice. Integr Comp Biol 2017; 57:846-856. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icx042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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23
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Mate-choice copying, social information processing, and the roles of oxytocin. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 72:232-242. [PMID: 27923732 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Social and sexual behaviors, including that of mate choice, are dependent on social information. Mate choice can be modified by prior and ongoing social factors and experience. The mate choice decisions of one individual can be influenced by either the actual or potential mate choice of another female or male. Such non-independent mate choice, where individuals gain social information and socially learn about and recognizes potential mates by observing the choices of another female or male, has been termed "mate-choice copying". Here we first briefly review how, why, and under what circumstances individuals engage in mate-choice copying. Secondly, we review the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mate-choice copying. In particular, we consider the roles of the nonapeptide, oxytocin, in the processing of social information and the expression of mate-choice copying.
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24
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Gobinath AR, Choleris E, Galea LA. Sex, hormones, and genotype interact to influence psychiatric disease, treatment, and behavioral research. J Neurosci Res 2016; 95:50-64. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aarthi R. Gobinath
- Centre for Brain Health, Program in Neuroscience; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T1Z3 Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology; University of Guelph; Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Liisa A.M. Galea
- Centre for Brain Health, Program in Neuroscience; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T1Z3 Canada
- Department of Psychology; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T1Z3 Canada
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25
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Jones CE, Monfils MH. Dominance status predicts social fear transmission in laboratory rats. Anim Cogn 2016; 19:1051-1069. [PMID: 27411940 PMCID: PMC5054054 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-016-1013-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acquiring information about stimuli that predict danger, through either direct experience or inference from a social context, is crucial for individuals’ ability to generate appropriate behaviors in response to threats. Utilizing a modified demonstrator–observer paradigm (fear conditioning by proxy) that allows for free interaction between subjects, we show that social dominance hierarchy, and the interactive social behaviors of caged rats, is predictive of social fear transmission, with subordinate rats displaying increased fear responses after interacting with a fear-conditioned dominant rat during fear retrieval. Fear conditioning by proxy conserves some of the pathways necessary for direct fear learning (e.g., lateral amygdala) but is unique in that it requires regions necessary for emotional regulation (e.g., anterior cingulate cortex), making this paradigm an important tool for evaluating learning and behavior in the laboratory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E Jones
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712-1043, USA.
| | - Marie-H Monfils
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712-1043, USA
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26
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Karlsson S, Henningsson S, Hovey D, Zettergren A, Jonsson L, Cortes DS, Melke J, Laukka P, Fischer H, Westberg L. Social memory associated with estrogen receptor polymorphisms in women. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2016; 11:877-83. [PMID: 26955855 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to recognize the identity of faces and voices is essential for social relationships. Although the heritability of social memory is high, knowledge about the contributing genes is sparse. Since sex differences and rodent studies support an influence of estrogens and androgens on social memory, polymorphisms in the estrogen and androgen receptor genes (ESR1, ESR2, AR) are candidates for this trait. Recognition of faces and vocal sounds, separately and combined, was investigated in 490 subjects, genotyped for 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ESR1, four in ESR2 and one in the AR Four of the associations survived correction for multiple testing: women carrying rare alleles of the three ESR2 SNPs, rs928554, rs1271572 and rs1256030, in linkage disequilibrium with each other, displayed superior face recognition compared with non-carriers. Furthermore, the uncommon genotype of the ESR1 SNP rs2504063 was associated with better recognition of identity through vocal sounds, also specifically in women. This study demonstrates evidence for associations in women between face recognition and variation in ESR2, and recognition of identity through vocal sounds and variation in ESR1. These results suggest that estrogen receptors may regulate social memory function in humans, in line with what has previously been established in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Karlsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Henningsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniel Hovey
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Zettergren
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, and
| | - Lina Jonsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Diana S Cortes
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Melke
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Petri Laukka
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,
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Pisani SL, Neese SL, Katzenellenbogen JA, Schantz SL, Korol DL. Estrogen Receptor-Selective Agonists Modulate Learning in Female Rats in a Dose- and Task-Specific Manner. Endocrinology 2016; 157:292-303. [PMID: 26465198 PMCID: PMC4701887 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens are well known for their enhancing effects on hippocampus-sensitive cognition. However, estrogens can also impair learning and memory, particularly the acquisition of striatum-sensitive tasks. These cognitive shifts appear to be mediated through local estrogen receptor (ER) activation in each neural structure, but little information is known regarding which specific ER subtypes drive the opposing effects on learning. Elucidating the mnemonic roles of discrete ER subtypes is essential for predicting how treatments with distinct ER pharmacology such as drugs, hormone therapies, and phytoestrogen supplements affect cognitive abilities in and thus the daily lives of the women who take them. The present study examined the effects of the ERα-selective compound propyl pyrazole triol and the ERβ-selective compounds diarylpropionitrile and Br-ERb-041 on place and response learning in young adult female rats. Long-Evans rats were ovariectomized and maintained on phytoestrogen-free chow for 3 weeks before behavioral training, with treatments administered via subcutaneous injection 48 and 24 hours before testing. A dose-response paradigm was used, with each compound tested at 4 different doses in separate groups of rats. Propyl pyrazole triol, diarylpropionitrile, and Br-ERb-041 all enhanced place learning and impaired response learning, albeit with distinct dose-response patterns for each compound and task. These results are consistent with the detection of ERα and ERβ in the hippocampus and striatum and suggest that learning is modulated via activation of either ER subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Pisani
- Neuroscience Program (S.L.P., S.L.N., S.L.S., D.L.K.) and Department of Chemistry (J.A.K.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; Department of Comparative Biosciences (S.L.N., S.L.S.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (S.L.N.), Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio 44017; and Department of Biology (D.L.K.), Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244
| | - Steven L Neese
- Neuroscience Program (S.L.P., S.L.N., S.L.S., D.L.K.) and Department of Chemistry (J.A.K.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; Department of Comparative Biosciences (S.L.N., S.L.S.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (S.L.N.), Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio 44017; and Department of Biology (D.L.K.), Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244
| | - John A Katzenellenbogen
- Neuroscience Program (S.L.P., S.L.N., S.L.S., D.L.K.) and Department of Chemistry (J.A.K.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; Department of Comparative Biosciences (S.L.N., S.L.S.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (S.L.N.), Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio 44017; and Department of Biology (D.L.K.), Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244
| | - Susan L Schantz
- Neuroscience Program (S.L.P., S.L.N., S.L.S., D.L.K.) and Department of Chemistry (J.A.K.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; Department of Comparative Biosciences (S.L.N., S.L.S.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (S.L.N.), Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio 44017; and Department of Biology (D.L.K.), Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244
| | - Donna L Korol
- Neuroscience Program (S.L.P., S.L.N., S.L.S., D.L.K.) and Department of Chemistry (J.A.K.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; Department of Comparative Biosciences (S.L.N., S.L.S.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (S.L.N.), Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio 44017; and Department of Biology (D.L.K.), Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244
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28
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Xiong Y, Liu F, Liu D, Huang H, Wei N, Tan L, Chen J, Man H, Gong C, Lu Y, Wang J, Zhu L. Opposite effects of two estrogen receptors on tau phosphorylation through disparate effects on the miR-218/PTPA pathway. Aging Cell 2015; 14:867-77. [PMID: 26111662 PMCID: PMC4568974 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The two estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, mediate the diverse biological functions of estradiol. Opposite effects of ERα and ERβ have been found in estrogen-induced cancer cell proliferation and differentiation as well as in memory-related tasks. However, whether these opposite effects are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear. Here, we find that ERα and ERβ play contrasting roles in regulating tau phosphorylation, which is a pathological hallmark of AD. ERα increases the expression of miR-218 to suppress the protein levels of its specific target, protein tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα). The downregulation of PTPα results in the abnormal tyrosine hyperphosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (resulting in activation) and protein phosphatase 2A (resulting in inactivation), the major tau kinase and phosphatase. Suppressing the increased expression of miR-218 inhibits the ERα-induced tau hyperphosphorylation as well as the PTPα decline. In contrast, ERβ inhibits tau phosphorylation by limiting miR-218 levels and restoring the miR-218 levels antagonized the attenuation of tau phosphorylation by ERβ. These data reveal for the first time opposing roles for ERα and ERβ in AD pathogenesis and suggest potential therapeutic targets for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan‐Si Xiong
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Fang‐Fang Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Dan Liu
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
- Department of Genetics School of Basic Medicine Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- Sino‐Canada Collaborative Platform on Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
| | - He‐Zhou Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Lu Tan
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Jian‐Guo Chen
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
- Department of Pharmacology School of Basic Medicine Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Heng‐Ye Man
- Department of Biology Boston University Boston MA 02215USA
| | - Cheng‐Xin Gong
- Department of Neurochemistry Inge Grundke‐Iqbal Research Floor New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities Staten Island NY 10314USA
| | - Youming Lu
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Jian‐Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Ling‐Qiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology School of Basic Medicine Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
- The Institute for Brain Research Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030 China
- Sino‐Canada Collaborative Platform on Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030China
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Korol DL, Pisani SL. Estrogens and cognition: Friends or foes?: An evaluation of the opposing effects of estrogens on learning and memory. Horm Behav 2015; 74:105-15. [PMID: 26149525 PMCID: PMC4573330 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and cognition". Estrogens are becoming well known for their robust enhancement on cognition particularly for learning and memory that relies upon functioning of the hippocampus and related neural systems. What is also emerging is that estrogen modulation of cognition is not uniform, at times enhancing yet at other times impairing learning. This review explores the bidirectional effects of estrogens on learning from a multiple memory systems view, focusing on the hippocampus and striatum, whereby modulation by estrogens sorts according to task attributes and neural systems engaged during cognition. We highlight our findings showing that the ability to solve hippocampus-sensitive tasks typically improves under relatively high estrogen status while the ability to solve striatum-sensitive tasks degrades with estrogen exposures. Though constrained by dose and timing of exposure, these opposing enhancements and impairments of cognition can be observed following treatments with different estrogenic compounds including the hormone estradiol, the isoflavone genistein found in soybeans, and agonists that are selective for specific estrogen receptors, suggesting that activation of a single receptor type is sufficient to produce the observed shifts in learning strategies. Using this multi-dimensional framework will allow us to extend our thinking of the relationship between estrogens and cognition to other brain regions and cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Korol
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY-Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.
| | - Samantha L Pisani
- Neuroscience Program and Medical Scholars Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Ervin KSJ, Mulvale E, Gallagher N, Roussel V, Choleris E. Activation of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor, but not estrogen receptor α or β, rapidly enhances social learning. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 58:51-66. [PMID: 25957002 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Social learning is a highly adaptive process by which an animal acquires information from a conspecific. While estrogens are known to modulate learning and memory, much of this research focuses on individual learning. Estrogens have been shown to enhance social learning on a long-term time scale, likely via genomic mechanisms. Estrogens have also been shown to affect individual learning on a rapid time scale through cell-signaling cascades, rather than via genomic effects, suggesting they may also rapidly influence social learning. We therefore investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol and involvement of the estrogen receptors (ERs) using the ERα agonist propyl pyrazole triol, the ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile, and the G protein-coupled ER 1 (GPER1) agonist G1 on the social transmission of food preferences (STFP) task, within a time scale that focused on the rapid effects of estrogens. General ER activation with 17β-estradiol resulted in a modest facilitation of social learning, with mice showing a preference up to 30min of testing. Specific activation of the GPER1 also rapidly enhanced social learning, with mice showing a socially learned preference up to 2h of testing. ERα activation instead shortened the expression of a socially learned food preference, while ERβ activation had little to no effects. Thus, rapid estrogenic modulation of social learning in the STFP may be the outcome of competing action at the three main receptors. Hence, estrogens' rapid effects on social learning likely depend on the specific ERs present in brain regions recruited during social learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsy Sharice Jean Ervin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erin Mulvale
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicola Gallagher
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Véronique Roussel
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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Ervin KSJ, Lymer JM, Matta R, Clipperton-Allen AE, Kavaliers M, Choleris E. Estrogen involvement in social behavior in rodents: Rapid and long-term actions. Horm Behav 2015; 74:53-76. [PMID: 26122289 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue ("Estradiol and cognition"). Estrogens have repeatedly been shown to influence a wide array of social behaviors, which in rodents are predominantly olfactory-mediated. Estrogens are involved in social behavior at multiple levels of processing, from the detection and integration of socially relevant olfactory information to more complex social behaviors, including social preferences, aggression and dominance, and learning and memory for social stimuli (e.g. social recognition and social learning). Three estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα, ERβ, and the G protein-coupled ER 1 (GPER1), differently affect these behaviors. Social recognition, territorial aggression, and sexual preferences and mate choice, all requiring the integration of socially related olfactory information, seem to primarily involve ERα, with ERβ playing a lesser, modulatory role. In contrast, social learning consistently responds differently to estrogen manipulations than other social behaviors. This suggests differential ER involvement in brain regions important for specific social behaviors, such as the ventromedial and medial preoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus in social preferences and aggression, the medial amygdala and hippocampus in social recognition, and the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in social learning. While the long-term effects of ERα and ERβ on social behavior have been extensively investigated, our knowledge of the rapid, non-genomic, effects of estrogens is more limited and suggests that they may mediate some social behaviors (e.g. social learning) differently from long-term effects. Further research is required to compare ER involvement in regulating social behavior in male and female animals, and to further elucidate the roles of the more recently described G protein-coupled ERs, both the GPER1 and the Gq-mER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsy S J Ervin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer M Lymer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Matta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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Desbonnet L, Clarke G, Traplin A, O'Sullivan O, Crispie F, Moloney RD, Cotter PD, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Gut microbiota depletion from early adolescence in mice: Implications for brain and behaviour. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 48:165-73. [PMID: 25866195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 490] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing appreciation for the importance of bacteria in shaping brain development and behaviour. Adolescence and early adulthood are crucial developmental periods during which exposure to harmful environmental factors can have a permanent impact on brain function. Such environmental factors include perturbations of the gut bacteria that may affect gut-brain communication, altering the trajectory of brain development, and increasing vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. Here we assess the effects of gut bacterial depletion from weaning onwards on adult cognitive, social and emotional behaviours and markers of gut-brain axis dysfunction in mice. METHODS Mice were treated with a combination of antibiotics from weaning onwards and effects on behaviours and potential gut-brain axis neuromodulators (tryptophan, monoamines, and neuropeptides) and BDNF expression were assessed in adulthood. RESULTS Antibiotic-treatment depleted and restructured gut microbiota composition of caecal contents and decreased spleen weights in adulthood. Depletion of the gut microbiota from weaning onwards reduced anxiety, induced cognitive deficits, altered dynamics of the tryptophan metabolic pathway, and significantly reduced BDNF, oxytocin and vasopressin expression in the adult brain. CONCLUSIONS Microbiota depletion from weaning onwards by means of chronic treatment with antibiotics in mice impacts on anxiety and cognitive behaviours as well as key neuromodulators of gut-brain communication in a manner that is similar to that reported in germ-free mice. This model may represent a more amenable alternative for germ-free mice in the assessment of microbiota modulation of behaviour. Finally, these data suggest that despite the presence of a normal gut microbiome in early postnatal life, reduced abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota from weaning influences adult behaviours and key neuromodulators of the microbiota-gut-brain axis suggesting that dysregulation of this axis in the post-weaning period may contribute to the pathogenesis of disorders associated with altered anxiety and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieve Desbonnet
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Orla O'Sullivan
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Fiona Crispie
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Rachel D Moloney
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D Cotter
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Khaksari M, Hajializadeh Z, Shahrokhi N, Esmaeili-Mahani S. Changes in the gene expression of estrogen receptors involved in the protective effect of estrogen in rat's trumatic brain injury. Brain Res 2015; 1618:1-8. [PMID: 26003937 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that estradiol has neuroprotective effects after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in female rats. Since estrogen receptors have an important role in estradiol effects at the cellular level and the exact mechanism(s) of estradiol-induced neuroprotection has not yet been fully clarified, the present study was designed to determine the changes in the levels of estrogen receptors mRNAs and proteins involved in this phenomenon. All experiments were carried out on female Wistar rats. The brain edema and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption were assessed. The TBI method was diffuse type and induced by the Marmarou method. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting were used to assess ERα and ERβ gene expression. The data showed that the level of brain water content was significantly increased in TBI group. The increased water content was significantly attenuated in estradiol-treated (1mg/kg) TBI rats. Disruption of BBB after TBI was significantly inhibited just by estradiol treatment. Estrogen-treated animals showed a significant increase in ERα mRNA (18%) and protein (35%) levels in the brain tissue. Furthermore, in the brain-injured rats the levels of ERβ mRNA were lower than those in control rats. Following estrogen treatment, the protein levels of ERβ were closed to those in control group. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that estrogen treatment can protect brain against traumatic brain injury. Estrogen treatment increases ER mRNA and protein levels which were coincident with its protective effects. It seems that such phenomenon participates in the induction of neuroprotective effects of estrogen. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 1618.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Khaksari
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 76135-133, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Zahra Hajializadeh
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nader Shahrokhi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeed Esmaeili-Mahani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
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Clipperton-Allen AE, Page DT. Decreased aggression and increased repetitive behavior in Pten haploinsufficient mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 14:145-57. [PMID: 25561290 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Aggression is an aspect of social behavior that can be elevated in some individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a concern for peers and caregivers. Mutations in Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), one of several ASD risk factors encoding negative regulators of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway, have been reported in individuals with ASD and comorbid macrocephaly. We previously showed that a mouse model of Pten germline haploinsufficiency (Pten(+/-) ) has selective deficits, primarily in social behavior, along with broad overgrowth of the brain. Here, we further examine the social behavior of Pten(+/-) male mice in the resident-intruder test of aggression, using a comprehensive behavioral analysis to obtain an overall picture of the agonistic, non-agonistic and non-social behavior patterns of Pten(+/-) mice during a free interaction with a novel conspecific. Pten(+/-) male mice were involved in less aggression than their wild-type littermates. Pten(+/-) mice also performed less social investigation, including anogenital investigation and approaching and/or attending to the intruder, which is consistent with our previous finding of decreased sociability in the social approach test. In contrast to these decreases in social behaviors, Pten(+/-) mice showed increased digging. In summary, we report decreased aggression and increased repetitive behavior in Pten(+/-) mice, thus extending our characterization of this model of an ASD risk factor that features brain overgrowth and social deficits.
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Berretti R, Santoru F, Locci A, Sogliano C, Calza A, Choleris E, Porcu P, Concas A. Neonatal exposure to estradiol decreases hypothalamic allopregnanolone concentrations and alters agonistic and sexual but not affective behavior in adult female rats. Horm Behav 2014; 65:142-53. [PMID: 24368289 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of developing female rats to estradiol during the perinatal period induced long-lasting dysregulation of gonadal axis and decreased cerebrocortical and plasma concentrations of allopregnanolone. We have now examined the effects of neonatal estradiol administration in female rats on hypothalamic allopregnanolone concentrations and on exploratory, affective, agonistic and sexual behaviors as well as social learning. A single administration of β-estradiol 3-benzoate (EB, 10μg) on the day of birth resulted in a delay of vaginal opening, acyclicity and ovarian failure. These alterations were associated with a significant decrease in the concentrations of allopregnanolone in the hypothalamus at 21 and 60days, but not at 7days, after birth. Neonatal administration of EB also increased agonistic behaviors in adult rats, such as dominant behaviors and following of an ovariectomized intruder, while living attacks unaffected. EB-treated rats showed also an increase in anogenital investigation, associated with a drastic reduction in spontaneous and induced female sexual behaviors (receptivity and proceptivity). In contrast, neonatal administration of EB did not affect locomotor activity, anxiety- and mood-related behaviors, the social transmission of flavor preferences, and seizures sensitivity. These effects of estradiol suggest that it plays a major role in regulation of both the abundance of allopregnanolone and the expression of agonistic and sexual behaviors, while failing to influence affective behaviors and social learning. Thus, the pronounced and persistent decrease in hypothalamic allopregnanolone concentration may be related to the manifestation of agonistic and sexual behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Berretti
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - F Santoru
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Locci
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - C Sogliano
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Calza
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - E Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - P Porcu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy.
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Trojan Genes or Transparent Genomes? Sexual Selection and Potential Impacts of Genetically Modified Animals in Natural Ecosystems. Evol Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-013-9268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Ervin KSJ, Phan A, Gabor CS, Choleris E. Rapid oestrogenic regulation of social and nonsocial learning. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:1116-32. [PMID: 23876061 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Much research on oestrogens has focused on their long-term action, exerting behavioural effects within hours to days through gene transcription. Oestrogens also affect behaviour on a much shorter time scale. These rapid effects are assumed to occur through cell signalling and can elicit a behavioural effect as early as 15 min after treatment. These effects on behaviour have primarily been explored through the action of oestradiol at three well-known oestrogen receptors (ERs): ERα, ERβ and the more recently described G protein-coupled ER1 (GPER1). The rapid effects of oestradiol and ER agonists have been tested on both social and nonsocial learning paradigms. Social learning refers to a paradigm in which an animal acquires information and modifies its behaviour based on observation of another animal, commonly studied using the social transmission of food preferences paradigm. When administered shortly before testing, oestradiol rapidly improves social learning on this task, although no ER agonist has definitive, comparable improving effects. Some evidence points to GPER1, whereas ERα impairs, and ERβ activation has no effect on social learning. Conversely, ERα and GPER1 play a larger role than ERβ in the rapid improving effect of oestrogens on nonsocial learning, including social and object recognition. In addition, when administered immediately post-acquisition, oestrogens also rapidly improve memory consolidation in a variety of learning paradigms: object recognition, object placement, inhibitory avoidance and the Morris water maze, indicating that oestradiol affects the consolidation of multiple types of memory. Evidence suggests that these improvements are the result of oestrogens acting in the dorsal hippocampus where selective activation of all three ERs shows rapid improving effects on spatial learning comparable to oestradiol. However, the hippocampus is not necessary for rapid oestradiol improvements on social recognition. Although acute treatment with oestradiol enhances learning and memory on various social and nonsocial learning paradigms, the specific ERs play different roles in each type of learning. Future research should aim to further determine the roles of ERs with respect to the enhancing effects of oestradiol on learning and memory, and also determine where in the brain oestradiol acts to affect social and nonsocial learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S J Ervin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
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Choleris E, Cazzin L, Lymer JM, Amor TR, Lu R, Kavaliers M, Valsecchi P. Acute corticosterone sexually dimorphically facilitates social learning and inhibits feeding in mice. Neuropharmacology 2013; 75:191-200. [PMID: 23911746 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In numerous species social learning is predominant and adaptive, yet, we know little of its neurobiological mechanisms. Social learning is modulated by motivations and emotions, in a manner that is often sexually dimorphic. Additionally, stress hormones acutely modulate the related social cognitive process of social recognition. Whether this is true even for social learning is currently unknown. We investigated the acute effects of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) on the social transmission of food preferences (STFP) in male and female mice. During a brief social interaction an observer (OBS) acquires a food preference from a same-sex demonstrator (DEM). CORT (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 mg/kg), its ethanol vehicle (0.1%), and saline solution (0.9%) were administered intraperitoneally to the OBS, 10 min before a 30-min social interaction. Levels of plasma CORT were assessed in other mice that had received the same doses of CORT and either had or had not gone through a 30 min social interaction 10 min post-treatment. Exogenous CORT elicited levels of plasma level comparable to those seen at the peak of the circadian cycle and facilitated the STFP with males responding more than females both in terms of the duration of the food preference and the minimum effective dose. CORT also sexually dimorphically inhibited feeding, with females showing a greater dose-response than males. Saline solution and ethanol vehicles also sexually dimorphically facilitated the STFP and reduced feeding, but less than CORT did. These results indicate that CORT facilitates social learning, like social recognition. Hence, CORT may generally increase social information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Laura Cazzin
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Unità di Biologia del Comportamento, Universita' di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Jennifer M Lymer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Talya R Amor
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Ray Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paola Valsecchi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Unità di Biologia del Comportamento, Universita' di Parma, Parma, Italy
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Wolstenholme JT, Edwards M, Shetty SRJ, Gatewood JD, Taylor JA, Rissman EF, Connelly JJ. Gestational exposure to bisphenol a produces transgenerational changes in behaviors and gene expression. Endocrinology 2012; 153:3828-38. [PMID: 22707478 PMCID: PMC3404345 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer and an endocrine-disrupting chemical. It is present in a variety of products used daily including food containers, paper, and dental sealants and is now widely detected in human urine and blood. Exposure to BPA during development may affect brain organization and behavior, perhaps as a consequence of its actions as a steroid hormone agonist/antagonist and/or an epigenetic modifier. Here we show that BPA produces transgenerational alterations in genes and behavior. Female mice received phytoestrogen-free chow with or without BPA before mating and throughout gestation. Plasma levels of BPA in supplemented dams were in a range similar to those measured in humans. Juveniles in the first generation exposed to BPA in utero displayed fewer social interactions as compared with control mice, whereas in later generations (F(2) and F(4)), the effect of BPA was to increase these social interactions. Brains from embryos (embryonic d 18.5) exposed to BPA had lower gene transcript levels for several estrogen receptors, oxytocin, and vasopressin as compared with controls; decreased vasopressin mRNA persisted into the F(4) generation, at which time oxytocin was also reduced but only in males. Thus, exposure to a low dose of BPA, only during gestation, has immediate and long-lasting, transgenerational effects on mRNA in brain and social behaviors. Heritable effects of an endocrine-disrupting chemical have implications for complex neurological diseases and highlight the importance of considering gene-environment interactions in the etiology of complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer T Wolstenholme
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800733, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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van der Kooij MA, Sandi C. Social memories in rodents: Methods, mechanisms and modulation by stress. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 36:1763-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Choleris E, Clipperton-Allen AE, Phan A, Valsecchi P, Kavaliers M. Estrogenic involvement in social learning, social recognition and pathogen avoidance. Front Neuroendocrinol 2012; 33:140-59. [PMID: 22369749 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2011] [Revised: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Sociality comes with specific cognitive skills that allow the proper processing of information about others (social recognition), as well as of information originating from others (social learning). Because sociality and social interactions can also facilitate the spread of infection among individuals the ability to recognize and avoid pathogen threat is also essential. We review here various studies primarily from the rodent literature supporting estrogenic involvement in the regulation of social recognition, social learning (socially acquired food preferences and mate choice copying) and the recognition and avoidance of infected and potentially infected individuals. We consider both genomic and rapid estrogenic effects involving estrogen receptors α and β, and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1, along with their interactions with neuropeptide systems in the processing of social stimuli and the regulation and expression of these various socially relevant behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.
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Male risk taking, female odors, and the role of estrogen receptors. Physiol Behav 2012; 107:751-61. [PMID: 22472459 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Male risk-taking and decision making are affected by sex-related cues, with men making riskier choices and decisions after exposure to either women or stimuli associated with women. In non-human species females and, or their cues can also increase male risk taking. Under the ecologically relevant condition of predation threat, brief exposure of male mice to the odors of a sexually receptive novel female reduces the avoidance of, and aversive responses to, a predator. We briefly review evidence showing that estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, are associated with the mediation of these risk taking responses. We show that ERs influence the production of the female odors that affect male risk taking, with the odors of wild type (ERαWT, ERβWT), oxytocin (OT) wildtype (OTWT), gene-deleted 'knock-out' ERβ (ERβKO), but not ERαKO or oxytocin (OT) OTKO or ovariectomized (OVX) female mice reducing the avoidance responses of male mice to cat odor. We further show that administration of specific ERα and ERβ agonists to OVX females results in their odors increasing male risk taking and boldness towards a predator. We also review evidence that ERs are involved in the mediation of the responses of males to female cues, with ERα being associated with the sexual and both ERβ and ERα with the sexual and social mechanisms underlying the effects of female cues on male risk taking. The implications and relations of these findings with rodents to ERs and the regulation of human risk taking are briefly considered.
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Oxytocin, vasopressin and estrogen receptor gene expression in relation to social recognition in female mice. Physiol Behav 2011; 105:915-24. [PMID: 22079582 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Inter- and intra-species differences in social behavior and recognition-related hormones and receptors suggest that different distribution and/or expression patterns may relate to social recognition. We used qRT-PCR to investigate naturally occurring differences in expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), ER-beta (ERβ), progesterone receptor (PR), oxytocin (OT) and receptor, and vasopressin (AVP) and receptors in proestrous female mice. Following four 5 min exposures to the same two conspecifics, one was replaced with a novel mouse in the final trial (T5). Gene expression was examined in mice showing high (85-100%) and low (40-60%) social recognition scores (i.e., preferential novel mouse investigation in T5) in eight socially-relevant brain regions. Results supported OT and AVP involvement in social recognition, and suggest that in the medial preoptic area, increased OT and AVP mRNA, together with ERα and ERβ gene activation, relate to improved social recognition. Initial social investigation correlated with ERs, PR and OTR in the dorsolateral septum, suggesting that these receptors may modulate social interest without affecting social recognition. Finally, increased lateral amygdala gene activation in the LR mice may be associated with general learning impairments, while decreased lateral amygdala activity may indicate more efficient cognitive mechanisms in the HR mice.
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Clipperton-Allen AE, Almey A, Melichercik A, Allen CP, Choleris E. Effects of an estrogen receptor alpha agonist on agonistic behaviour in intact and gonadectomized male and female mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2011; 36:981-95. [PMID: 21247705 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2010] [Revised: 10/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Gonadal hormones mediate both affiliative and agonistic social interactions. Research in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) or beta (ERβ) knockout (KO) mice suggests that ERα increases and ERβ decreases male aggression, while the opposite is found for female ERαKO and ERβKO mice. Using a detailed behavioural analysis of the resident-intruder test, we have shown that the ERβ selective agonist WAY-200070 increased agonistic behaviours, such as aggressive grooming and pushing down a gonadectomized (gonadex) intruder, in gonadally intact but not gonadex male and female resident mice, while leaving attacks unaffected. The role of acute activation of ERα in agonistic behaviour in adult non-KO CD1 mice is presently unknown. The current study assesses the effects of the ERα selective agonist 1,3,5-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-propyl-1H-pyrazole (PPT) on the social and agonistic responses of gonadally intact and gonadex male and female CD1 mice to a gonadex, same-sex intruder. PPT had few effects in gonadally intact mice, but seems to increase sex-typical aggression (i.e., attacks in males, other dominance-related behaviours in females) in gonadex mice. In untreated mice, we confirmed our previous findings that gonadally intact males attacked the intruder more than females, but females spent more time engaged in agonistic behaviour than males. As in our previous results, we observed that gonadex mice generally show behaviour patterns more like those of the gonadally intact opposite sex, while leaving overall levels of agonistic behaviour unaffected. Taken together, our current and previous results show that exogenous activation of ERα had no effects in gonadally intact mice, but increased sex-typical agonistic behaviour in gonadex mice, while ERβ had no effects in gonadex mice, but increased non-attack agonistic behaviour in gonadally intact animals. This suggests that, as in social recognition, ERα may be necessary for the activation of agonistic responses, while ERβ may play a modulatory role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Clipperton-Allen
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
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Differential effects of dopamine receptor D1-type and D2-type antagonists and phase of the estrous cycle on social learning of food preferences, feeding, and social interactions in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:1689-702. [PMID: 21525863 PMCID: PMC3138658 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The neurobiological bases of social learning, by which an animal can 'exploit the expertise of others' and avoid the disadvantages of individual learning, are only partially understood. We examined the involvement of the dopaminergic system in social learning by administering a dopamine D1-type receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg), or a D2-type receptor antagonist, raclopride (0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 mg/kg), to adult female mice prior to socially learning a food preference. We found that while SCH23390 dose-dependently inhibited social learning without affecting feeding behavior or the ability of mice to discriminate between differently flavored diets, raclopride had the opposite effects, inhibiting feeding but leaving social learning unaffected. We showed that food odor, alone or in a social context, was insufficient to induce a food preference, proving the specifically social nature of this paradigm. The estrous cycle also affected social learning, with mice in proestrus expressing the socially acquired food preference longer than estrous and diestrous mice. This suggests gonadal hormone involvement, which is consistent with known estrogenic regulation of female social behavior and estrogen receptor involvement in social learning. Furthermore, a detailed ethological analysis of the social interactions during which social learning occurs showed raclopride- and estrous phase-induced changes in agonistic behavior, which were not directly related to effects on social learning. Overall, these results suggest a differential involvement of the D1-type and D2-type receptors in the regulation of social learning, feeding, and agonistic behaviors that are likely mediated by different underlying states.
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Phan A, Lancaster KE, Armstrong JN, MacLusky NJ, Choleris E. Rapid effects of estrogen receptor α and β selective agonists on learning and dendritic spines in female mice. Endocrinology 2011; 152:1492-502. [PMID: 21285321 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-1273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) agonists rapidly affect neural plasticity within 1 h, suggesting they play a functional role in learning and memory. However, behavioral learning experiments on such a rapid time scale are lacking. Therefore we investigated whether the ERα agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) and ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) could affect social recognition, object recognition, or object placement learning within 40 min of drug administration. At the same time, we examined their effects on CA1 hippocampal dendritic spines. Ovariectomized female CD1 mice were administered a range of PPT or DPN doses (0, 30, 50, 75, or 150 μg/mouse). PPT at the middle doses improved social recognition, facilitated object recognition and placement at a dose of 75 μg, and increased dendritic spine density in the stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare. In contrast, DPN impaired social recognition at higher doses, did not affect object recognition, but slightly facilitated object placement learning at the 75-μg dose. DPN did not affect spines in the stratum radiatum but decreased spine density and increased spine length in the lacunosum-moleculare. This suggests that rapid estrogen-mediated learning enhancements may predominantly be mediated through ERα, while the effects of DPN are weaker and may depend on the learning paradigm. The role of ERα and ERβ in learning and memory may vary depending on the timing of drug administration, as genomic studies often implicate ERβ in enhancing effects on learning and memory. To our knowledge, this is the first report of estrogens' effects on learning within such a short time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Phan
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
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Sánchez-Andrade G, Kendrick KM. Roles of α- and β-estrogen receptors in mouse social recognition memory: effects of gender and the estrous cycle. Horm Behav 2011; 59:114-22. [PMID: 21056567 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2010] [Revised: 10/28/2010] [Accepted: 10/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Establishing clear effects of gender and natural hormonal changes during female ovarian cycles on cognitive function has often proved difficult. Here we have investigated such effects on the formation and long-term (24 h) maintenance of social recognition memory in mice together with the respective involvement of α- and β-estrogen receptors using α- and β-estrogen receptor knockout mice and wildtype controls. Results in wildtype animals showed that while females successfully formed a memory in the context of a habituation/dishabituation paradigm at all stages of their ovarian cycle, only when learning occurred during proestrus (when estrogen levels are highest) was it retained after 24 h. In α-receptor knockout mice (which showed no ovarian cycles) both formation and maintenance of this social recognition memory were impaired, whereas β-receptor knockouts showed no significant deficits and exhibited the same proestrus-dependent retention of memory at 24 h. To investigate possible sex differences, male α- and β-estrogen receptor knockout mice were also tested and showed similar effects to females excepting that α-receptor knockouts had normal memory formation and only exhibited a 24 h retention deficit. This indicates a greater dependence in females on α-receptor expression for memory formation in this task. Since non-specific motivational and attentional aspects of the task were unaffected, our findings suggest a general α-receptor dependent facilitation of memory formation by estrogen as well as an enhanced long-term retention during proestrus. Results are discussed in terms of the differential roles of the two estrogen receptors, the neural substrates involved and putative interactions with oxytocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sánchez-Andrade
- Laboratory of Molecular Signalling, Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Group, The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge CB22 3AQ, UK
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Hasan TF, Hasan H. Anorexia nervosa: a unified neurological perspective. Int J Med Sci 2011; 8:679-703. [PMID: 22135615 PMCID: PMC3204438 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.8.679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The roles of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), opioid peptides, leptin and ghrelin in anorexia nervosa (AN) were discussed in this paper. CRF is the key mediator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and also acts at various other parts of the brain, such as the limbic system and the peripheral nervous system. CRF action is mediated through the CRF1 and CRF2 receptors, with both HPA axis-dependent and HPA axis-independent actions, where the latter shows nil involvement of the autonomic nervous system. CRF1 receptors mediate both the HPA axis-dependent and independent pathways through CRF, while the CRF2 receptors exclusively mediate the HPA axis-independent pathways through urocortin. Opioid peptides are involved in the adaptation and regulation of energy intake and utilization through reward-related behavior. Opioids play a role in the addictive component of AN, as described by the "auto-addiction opioids theory". Their interactions have demonstrated the psychological aspect of AN and have shown to prevent the functioning of the physiological homeostasis. Important opioids involved are β-lipotropin, β-endorphin and dynorphin, which interact with both µ and κ opioids receptors to regulate reward-mediated behavior and describe the higher incidence of AN seen in females. Moreover, ghrelin is known as the "hunger" hormone and helps stimulate growth hormone (GH) and hepatic insulin-like-growth-factor-1(IGF-1), maintaining anabolism and preserving a lean body mass. In AN, high levels of GH due to GH resistance along with low levels of IGF-1 are observed. Leptin plays a role in suppressing appetite through the inhibition of neuropeptide Y gene. Moreover, the CRF, opioid, leptin and ghrelin mechanisms operate collectively at the HPA axis and express the physiological and psychological components of AN. Fear conditioning is an intricate learning process occurring at the level of the hippocampus, amygdala, lateral septum and the dorsal raphe by involving three distinct pathways, the HPA axis-independent pathway, hypercortisolemia and ghrelin. Opioids mediate CRF through noradrenergic stimulation in association with the locus coeruleus. Furthermore, CRF's inhibitory effect on gonadotropin releasing hormone can be further explained by the direct relationship seen between CRF and opioids. Low levels of gonadotropin have been demonstrated in AN where only estrogen has shown to mediate energy intake. In addition, estrogen is involved in regulating µ receptor concentrations, but in turn both CRF and opioids regulate estrogen. Moreover, opioids and leptin are both an effect of AN, while many studies have demonstrated a causal relationship between CRF and anorexic behavior. Moreover, leptin, estrogen and ghrelin play a role as predictors of survival in starvation. Since both leptin and estrogen are associated with higher levels of bone marrow fat they represent a longer survival than those who favor the ghrelin pathway. Future studies should consider cohort studies involving prepubertal males and females with high CRF. This would help prevent the extrapolation of results from studies on mice and draw more meaningful conclusions in humans. Studies should also consider these mechanisms in post-AN patients, as well as look into what predisposes certain individuals to develop AN. Finally, due to its complex pathogenesis the treatment of AN should focus on both the pharmacological and behavioral perspectives.
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Agonistic behavior in males and females: effects of an estrogen receptor beta agonist in gonadectomized and gonadally intact mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35:1008-22. [PMID: 20129736 PMCID: PMC2891273 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 01/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Affiliative and agonistic social interactions are mediated by gonadal hormones. Research with estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) or beta (ERbeta) knockout (KO) mice show that long-term inactivation of ERalpha decreases, while inactivation of ERbeta increases, male aggression. Opposite effects were found in female alphaERKO and betaERKO mice. The role of acute activation of ERalpha or ERbeta in the agonistic responses of adult non-KO mice is unknown. We report here the effects of the ERbeta selective agonist WAY-200070 on agonistic and social behavior in gonadally intact and gonadectomized (gonadex) male and female CD-1 mice towards a gonadex, same-sex intruder. All 15min resident-intruder tests were videotaped for comprehensive behavioral analysis. Separate analyses assessed: (1) effects of WAY-200070 on each sex and gonadal condition; (2) differences between sexes, and between gonadally intact and gonadex mice, in untreated animals. Results show that in gonadally intact male and female mice, WAY-200070 increased agonistic behaviors such as pushing down the intruder and aggressive grooming, while leaving attacks unaffected. In untreated mice, males attacked more than females, and gonadex animals showed less agonistic behavior than same-sex, gonadally intact mice. Overall, our detailed behavioral analysis suggested that in gonadally intact male and female mice, ERbeta mediates patterns of agonistic behavior that are not directly involved in attacks. This suggests that specific aspects of aggressive behavior are acutely mediated by ERbeta in adult mice. Our results also showed that, in resident-intruder tests, female mice spend as much time in intrasexual agonistic interactions as males, but use agonistic behaviors that involve extremely low levels of direct attacks. This non-attack aggression in females is increased by acute activation of ERbeta. Thus, acute activation of ERbeta similarly mediates agonistic behavior in adult male and female CD-1 mice.
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