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Eraslan E, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Amorim L, Soares-Cunha C, Rodrigues AJ, Sousa N. Physiological and behavioral contagion/buffering effects of chronic unpredictable stress in a socially enriched environment: A preliminary study. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100635. [PMID: 38645599 PMCID: PMC11031999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodents are sensitive to the emotional state of conspecifics. While the presence of affiliative social partners mitigates the physiological response to stressors (buffering), the partners of stressed individuals show behavioral and endocrine changes indicating that stress parameters can be transmitted across the group members (contagion). In this study, we investigated the social contagion/buffering phenomena in behavior and neuroendocrine mechanisms after exposure to chronic stress, in groups of rats living in the PhenoWorld (PhW). Three groups were tested (8 stressed rats, 8 unstressed rats, and a mixed group with 4 and 4) and these were analyzed under 4 conditions: stressed (pure stress group, n = 8), unstressed (naive control group, n = 8), stressed from mixed group (stressed companion group, n = 8), unstressed from mixed group (unstressed companion group, n = 8. While naive control animals remained undisturbed, pure stress group animals were all exposed to stress. Half of the animals under the mixed-treatment condition were exposed to stress (stressed companion group) and cohabitated with their unstressed partners (unstressed companion group). We confirmed the well-established chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) effects in physiological, behavioral, and neuroendocrine endpoints; body weight gain, open arm entries and time in EPM, and oxytocin receptor expression levels in the amygdala decreased by stress exposure, whereas adrenal weight was increased by stress. Furthermore, we found that playing, rearing and solitary resting behaviors decreased, whereas huddling behavior increased by CUS. In addition, we detected significant increases (stress-buffering) in body weight gain and huddling behaviors between pure stress and stress companion animals, and significant stress contagion effects in emotional behavior and oxytocin receptor expression levels between naive control and control companion groups. Hence, we demonstrate buffering and contagion effects were evident in physiological parameters, emotional behaviors, and social home-cage behaviors of rats and we suggest a possible mediation of these effects by oxytocin neurotransmission. In conclusion, the results herein suggest that the stress status of animals living in the same housing environment influences the behavior of the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evren Eraslan
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Magda J. Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- P5 Clinical Digital Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana J. Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- P5 Clinical Digital Center, Braga, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
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Le VA, Sterley TL, Cheng N, Bains JS, Murari K. Markerless Mouse Tracking for Social Experiments. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0154-22.2023. [PMID: 38233144 PMCID: PMC10901195 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0154-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Automated behavior quantification in socially interacting animals requires accurate tracking. While many methods have been very successful and highly generalizable to different settings, issues of mistaken identities and lost information on key anatomical features are common, although they can be alleviated by increased human effort in training or post-processing. We propose a markerless video-based tool to simultaneously track two interacting mice of the same appearance in controlled settings for quantifying behaviors such as different types of sniffing, touching, and locomotion to improve tracking accuracy under these settings without increased human effort. It incorporates conventional handcrafted tracking and deep-learning-based techniques. The tool is trained on a small number of manually annotated images from a basic experimental setup and outputs body masks and coordinates of the snout and tail-base for each mouse. The method was tested on several commonly used experimental conditions including bedding in the cage and fiberoptic or headstage implants on the mice. Results obtained without any human corrections after the automated analysis showed a near elimination of identities switches and a ∼15% improvement in tracking accuracy over pure deep-learning-based pose estimation tracking approaches. Our approach can be optionally ensembled with such techniques for further improvement. Finally, we demonstrated an application of this approach in studies of social behavior of mice by quantifying and comparing interactions between pairs of mice in which some lack olfaction. Together, these results suggest that our approach could be valuable for studying group behaviors in rodents, such as social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Anh Le
- Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Toni-Lee Sterley
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Ning Cheng
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Kartikeya Murari
- Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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Eraslan E, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Amorim L, Soares-Cunha C, Rodrigues AJ, Sousa N. Home-cage behavior is impacted by stress exposure in rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1195011. [PMID: 37358966 PMCID: PMC10288110 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1195011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Being social animals, rats exhibit a range of social behaviors that help them build social bonds and maintain group cohesion. Behavior is influenced by multiple factors, including stress exposure, and the expression of the impact of stress on both social and non-social behaviors may also be affected by the living conditions of rats. In this study, we explored the physiological and behavioral effects of chronic unpredictable stress on group-housed rats in the PhenoWorld (PhW), a socially and physically enriched environment closer to real-life conditions. Two independent experiments were performed: one in the control condition (PhW control, n = 8) and one in the stress condition (PhW stress, n = 8). Control animals remained undisturbed except for cage cleaning and daily handling procedures. Stress group animals were all exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Data confirm that stress exposure triggers anxiety-like behavior in the PhW. In terms of home-cage behaviors, we found that stress affects social behaviors (by decreased playing and increased huddling behaviors) and non-social behaviors (as shown by the decrease in rearing and walking behaviors). These results are of relevance to expand our knowledge on the influence of stress on social and non-social behaviors, which are of importance to understand better species-typical behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evren Eraslan
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Magda João Castelhano-Carlos
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Liliana Amorim
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- P5 Clinical Digital Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- P5 Clinical Digital Center, Braga, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
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Atia AA, Ashour RH, Zaki MM, Rahman KM, Ramadan NM. The comparative effectiveness of metformin and risperidone in a rat model of valproic acid-induced autism, Potential role for enhanced autophagy. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1313-1332. [PMID: 37133558 PMCID: PMC10172247 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Risperidone is the first antipsychotic to be approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The potential efficacy of metformin in preventing and/or controlling ASD behavioral deficits was also recently reported. Suppression of hippocampus autophagy was suggested as a potential pathologic mechanism in ASD. OBJECTIVES Is metformin's ability to improve ASD clinical phenotype driven by its autophagy-enhancing properties? And does hippocampus autophagy enhancement underlie risperidone's efficacy as well? Both questions are yet to be answered. METHODS The effectiveness of metformin on alleviation of ASD-like behavioral deficits in adolescent rats exposed prenatally to valproic acid (VPA) was compared to that of risperidone. The potential modulatory effects of risperidone on hippocampal autophagic activity were also assessed and compared to those of metformin. RESULTS Male offspring exposed to VPA during gestation exhibited marked anxiety, social impairment and aggravation of stereotyped grooming; such deficits were efficiently rescued by postnatal risperidone or metformin therapy. This autistic phenotype was associated with suppressed hippocampal autophagy; as evidenced by reduced gene/dendritic protein expression of LC3B (microtubule-associated proteins 1 light chain 3B) and increased somatic P62 (Sequestosome 1) protein aggregates. Interestingly, compared to risperidone, the effectiveness of metformin in controlling ASD symptoms and improving hippocampal neuronal survival was well correlated to its ability to markedly induce pyramidal neuronal LC3B expression while lowering P62 accumulation. CONCLUSIONS Our work highlights, for the first time, positive modulation of hippocampus autophagy as potential mechanism underlying improvements in autistic behaviors, observed with metformin, as well as risperidone, therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amany Aa Atia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 60 El-Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Al-Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt
| | - Rehab H Ashour
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 60 El-Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Al-Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt
| | - Marwa Maf Zaki
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 60 El-Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Al-Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt
| | - Karawan Ma Rahman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 60 El-Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Al-Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt
| | - Nehal M Ramadan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, 60 El-Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Al-Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt.
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Pinto L, Calabrese F, Patrício P. Editorial: Global excellence in emotion regulation and processing: Europe. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1138976. [PMID: 36798905 PMCID: PMC9927395 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1138976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal,Behavioral and Molecular Lab (Bn'ML), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrícia Patrício
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal,Behavioral and Molecular Lab (Bn'ML), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,*Correspondence: Patrícia Patrício ✉
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6
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Amorim L, Dá Mesquita S, Jacinto L, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Santos NC, Leite-Almeida H, Sousa N. Shaping social behavior in an enriched environment. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:999325. [PMID: 36311866 PMCID: PMC9606827 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.999325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to vital needs shapes social orders. In rats, social systems tend to maintain a certain stability, but alterations in the physical environment can change inter-individual relations, which consequently can alter social orders. Principles governing social systems are, however, difficult to study and most analyses have been restricted to dyads of animals over short periods of time, hardly capturing the complexity and temporal dynamics of social interactions. Herein, we studied social interactions in a colony of six rats living in a customized enriched environment (PhenoWorld, PhW), under variable conditions of access/availability to limited resources. Reductions in food accessibility and availability resulted in a marked heterogeneity in sniffing, chasing and fighting/struggling behaviors, and, in the latter condition, an overall increase of these displays. The introduction of the possibility of interaction with a female rat also increased the amount of sniffing and fighting/struggling in a homogeneous manner. Results also showed that individual food retrieval success had no association with fighting/struggling when food pellets are delivered to the animals. However, there was a statistically significant correlation between fighting/struggling and impulsivity as measured by the amount of premature responses in the Variable-to-Signal-Test outside of the PhW providing external validation to our measures. To sum up, through continuous monitoring of a group of rats in the PhW, we demonstrated how variations in access to reinforcers modulate social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sandro Dá Mesquita
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luís Jacinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Magda J. Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sousa,
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Klein CJMI, Budiman T, Homberg JR, Verma D, Keijer J, van Schothorst EM. Measuring Locomotor Activity and Behavioral Aspects of Rodents Living in the Home-Cage. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:877323. [PMID: 35464142 PMCID: PMC9021872 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.877323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Automatization and technological advances have led to a larger number of methods and systems to monitor and measure locomotor activity and more specific behavior of a wide variety of animal species in various environmental conditions in laboratory settings. In rodents, the majority of these systems require the animals to be temporarily taken away from their home-cage into separate observation cage environments which requires manual handling and consequently evokes distress for the animal and may alter behavioral responses. An automated high-throughput approach can overcome this problem. Therefore, this review describes existing automated methods and technologies which enable the measurement of locomotor activity and behavioral aspects of rodents in their most meaningful and stress-free laboratory environment: the home-cage. In line with the Directive 2010/63/EU and the 3R principles (replacement, reduction, refinement), this review furthermore assesses their suitability and potential for group-housed conditions as a refinement strategy, highlighting their current technological and practical limitations. It covers electrical capacitance technology and radio-frequency identification (RFID), which focus mainly on voluntary locomotor activity in both single and multiple rodents, respectively. Infrared beams and force plates expand the detection beyond locomotor activity toward basic behavioral traits but discover their full potential in individually housed rodents only. Despite the great premises of these approaches in terms of behavioral pattern recognition, more sophisticated methods, such as (RFID-assisted) video tracking technology need to be applied to enable the automated analysis of advanced behavioral aspects of individual animals in social housing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J. M. I. Klein
- Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- TSE Systems GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Judith R. Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Jaap Keijer
- Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Macartney EL, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S. The Relative Benefits of Environmental Enrichment on Learning and Memory are Greater When Stressed: A Meta-analysis of Interactions in Rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104554. [PMID: 35149103 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment ("EE") is expected to alleviate the negative effects of stress on cognitive performance. However, there are complexities associated with interpreting interactions that obscure determining the benefit EE may play in mitigating the negative effects of stress. To clarify these complexities, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis on the main and interactive effects of EE and stress on learning and memory in rodents. We show that EE and stress interact 'synergistically' where EE provides a greater relative benefit to stressed individuals compared to those reared in conventional housing. Importantly, EE can fully-compensate for the negative effects of stress where stressed individuals with EE performed equally to enriched individuals without a stress manipulation. Additionally, we show the importance of other mediating factors, including the order of treatment exposure, duration and type of stress, type of EE, and type of cognitive assays used. This study not only quantifies the interactions between EE and stress, but also provides a clear example for how to conduct and interpret meta-analysis of interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Macartney
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Kensington Campus, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052.
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Kensington Campus, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Kensington Campus, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052
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Leite-Almeida H, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Sousa N. New Horizons for Phenotyping Behavior in Rodents: The Example of Depressive-Like Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:811987. [PMID: 35069144 PMCID: PMC8766962 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.811987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the field of behavioral neuroscience is significantly dependent on innovative disruption triggered by our ability to model and phenotype animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. The ability to adequately elicit and measure behavioral parameters are the fundaments on which the behavioral neuroscience community establishes the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders as well as contributes to the development of treatment strategies for those conditions. Herein, we review how mood disorders, in particular depression, are currently modeled in rodents, focusing on the limitations of these models and particularly on the analyses of the data obtained with different behavioral tests. Finally, we propose the use of new paradigms to study behavior using multidimensional strategies that better encompasses the complexity of psychiatric conditions, namely depression; these paradigms provide holistic phenotyping that is applicable to other conditions, thus promoting the emergence of novel findings that will leverage this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Magda J. Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sousa,
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10
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Pintori N, Piva A, Guardiani V, Marzo CM, Decimo I, Chiamulera C. The interaction between Environmental Enrichment and fluoxetine in inhibiting sucrose-seeking renewal in mice depend on social living condition. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2351-2361. [PMID: 35353203 PMCID: PMC9205808 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06124-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Several single or combined therapeutic approaches have been developed to treat addiction, however with partial efficacy in preventing relapse. Recently, the living environment has been suggested as a critical intervening factor determining the treatment outcomes. Despite accumulating evidence confirming a role of living conditions in the vulnerability to addictive behaviours, their impact on single or integrative therapeutic strategies preventing relapse is yet to be identified. OBJECTIVES Here, we explore the possible interaction between brief Environmental Enrichment (EE) exposure and acute fluoxetine administration in inhibiting sucrose-seeking behaviours, and whether this effect could be affected by living environment. METHODS Social and isolated adult male C57BL/6 mice were trained to sucrose self-administration associated to a specific conditioning context (CxA), followed by a 7-day extinction in a different context (CxB). Afterwards, mice were exposed for 22 h to EE and then injected with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 h before a CxA-induced sucrose-seeking test. RESULTS Brief EE exposure and acute fluoxetine administration alone inhibited context-induced sucrose-seeking in both housing conditions; however, they exhibited additive properties only in social condition. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that social environment may influence the EE/fluoxetine interaction in inhibiting relapse to sucrose. These findings suggest that setting up proper living conditions to boost the efficacy of therapeutic approaches may represent a fundamental strategy to treat addiction disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Pintori
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Policlinico ‘GB Rossi’, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy ,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cittadella Universitaria Di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, S.P.8 km 0, 700-09042 Monserrato, Cagliari Italy
| | - A. Piva
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Policlinico ‘GB Rossi’, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - V. Guardiani
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Policlinico ‘GB Rossi’, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - C. M. Marzo
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - I. Decimo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Policlinico ‘GB Rossi’, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - C. Chiamulera
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Policlinico ‘GB Rossi’, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
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O mouse, where art thou? The Mouse Position Surveillance System (MoPSS)-an RFID-based tracking system. Behav Res Methods 2021; 54:676-689. [PMID: 34346041 PMCID: PMC9046340 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-021-01593-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Existing methods for analysis of home cage-based preference tests are either time-consuming, not suitable for group management, expensive, and/or based on proprietary equipment that is not freely available. To correct this, we developed an automated system for group-housed mice based on radio frequency identification: the Mouse Position Surveillance System (MoPSS). The system uses an Arduino microcontroller with compatible components; it is affordable and easy to rebuild for every laboratory because it uses free and open-source software and open-source hardware with the RFID readers as the only proprietary component. The MoPSS was validated using female C57BL/6J mice and manual video comparison. It proved to be accurate even for fast-moving mice (up to 100% accuracy after logical reconstruction), and is already implemented in several studies in our laboratory. Here, we provide the complete construction description as well as the validation data and the results of an example experiment. This tracking system will allow group-based preference testing with individually identified mice to be carried out in a convenient manner. This facilitation of preference tests creates the foundation for better housing conditions from the animals' perspective.
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12
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Hao Y, Thomas AM, Li N. Fully autonomous mouse behavioral and optogenetic experiments in home-cage. eLife 2021; 10:e66112. [PMID: 33944781 PMCID: PMC8116056 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Goal-directed behaviors involve distributed brain networks. The small size of the mouse brain makes it amenable to manipulations of neural activity dispersed across brain areas, but existing optogenetic methods serially test a few brain regions at a time, which slows comprehensive mapping of distributed networks. Laborious operant conditioning training required for most experimental paradigms exacerbates this bottleneck. We present an autonomous workflow to survey the involvement of brain regions at scale during operant behaviors in mice. Naive mice living in a home-cage system learned voluntary head-fixation (>1 hr/day) and performed difficult decision-making tasks, including contingency reversals, for 2 months without human supervision. We incorporated an optogenetic approach to manipulate activity in deep brain regions through intact skull during home-cage behavior. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we tested dozens of mice in parallel unsupervised optogenetic experiments, revealing multiple regions in cortex, striatum, and superior colliculus involved in tactile decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Hao
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | | | - Nuo Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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13
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Volkmann P, Stephan M, Krackow S, Jensen N, Rossner MJ. PsyCoP - A Platform for Systematic Semi-Automated Behavioral and Cognitive Profiling Reveals Gene and Environment Dependent Impairments of Tcf4 Transgenic Mice Subjected to Social Defeat. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:618180. [PMID: 33519394 PMCID: PMC7841301 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.618180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, hundreds of risk genes associated with psychiatric disorders have been identified. These are thought to interact with environmental stress factors in precipitating pathological behaviors. However, the individual phenotypes resulting from specific genotype by environment (G×E) interactions remain to be determined. Toward a more systematic approach, we developed a novel standardized and partially automatized platform for systematic behavioral and cognitive profiling (PsyCoP). Here, we assessed the behavioral and cognitive disturbances in Tcf4 transgenic mice (Tcf4tg) exposed to psychosocial stress by social defeat during adolescence using a "two-hit" G×E mouse model. Notably, TCF4 has been repeatedly identified as a candidate risk gene for different psychiatric diseases and Tcf4tg mice display behavioral endophenotypes such as fear memory impairment and hyperactivity. We use the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) concept as framework to categorize phenotyping results in a translational approach. We propose two methods of dimension reduction, clustering, and visualization of behavioral phenotypes to retain statistical power and clarity of the overview. Taken together, our results reveal that sensorimotor gating is disturbed by Tcf4 overexpression whereas both negative and positive valence systems are primarily influenced by psychosocial stress. Moreover, we confirm previous reports showing that deficits in the cognitive domain are largely dependent on the interaction between Tcf4 and psychosocial stress. We recommend that the standardized analysis and visualization strategies described here should be applied to other two-hit mouse models of psychiatric diseases and anticipate that this will help directing future preclinical treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Volkmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marius Stephan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Krackow
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Niels Jensen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz J Rossner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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14
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von Ziegler L, Sturman O, Bohacek J. Big behavior: challenges and opportunities in a new era of deep behavior profiling. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:33-44. [PMID: 32599604 PMCID: PMC7688651 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0751-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The assessment of rodent behavior forms a cornerstone of preclinical assessment in neuroscience research. Nonetheless, the true and almost limitless potential of behavioral analysis has been inaccessible to scientists until very recently. Now, in the age of machine vision and deep learning, it is possible to extract and quantify almost infinite numbers of behavioral variables, to break behaviors down into subcategories and even into small behavioral units, syllables or motifs. However, the rapidly growing field of behavioral neuroethology is experiencing birthing pains. The community has not yet consolidated its methods, and new algorithms transfer poorly between labs. Benchmarking experiments as well as the large, well-annotated behavior datasets required are missing. Meanwhile, big data problems have started arising and we currently lack platforms for sharing large datasets-akin to sequencing repositories in genomics. Additionally, the average behavioral research lab does not have access to the latest tools to extract and analyze behavior, as their implementation requires advanced computational skills. Even so, the field is brimming with excitement and boundless opportunity. This review aims to highlight the potential of recent developments in the field of behavioral analysis, whilst trying to guide a consensus on practical issues concerning data collection and data sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas von Ziegler
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Sturman
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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15
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OSERR: an open-source standalone electrophysiology recording system for rodents. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16996. [PMID: 33046761 PMCID: PMC7552399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral assessment of rodents is critical for investigation of brain function in health and disease. In vivo neurophysiological recordings are powerful tools to mechanistically dissect neural pathways that underlie behavioral changes, and serve as markers for dynamics, efficacy and safety of potential therapeutic approaches. However, most in vivo recording systems require tethers or telemetry receivers, limiting their compatibility with some behavioral tests. Here, we developed an open-source standalone electrophysiology recording system for rodents (OSERR). It is a tether-free, standalone recording device with two channels, a reference and a ground, that acquires, amplifies, filters and stores data all in itself. Thus, it does not require any cable or receiver. It is also compact and light-weight, and compatible with juvenile mice, as well as multiple recording modalities and standard electrode implantation methods. In addition, we provide the complete design of hardware, and software for operation. As an example, we demonstrated that this standalone system, when configured with a bandwidth of 1–120 Hz and gain of 1000, successfully collected EEG signals during induced seizure, extended recording, anesthesia, and social interactions in mice. The design of this system is practical, economical, and freely available. Thus, this system could enable recording of brain activity during diverse behavioral assays in a variety of arenas and settings, and allow simultaneous recordings from multiple subjects to examine social behaviors. Importantly, with the open-source documentation, researchers could customize the design of the system to their specific needs.
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16
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Environmental enrichment-inspired pharmacological tools for the treatment of addiction. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 56:22-28. [PMID: 32966941 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been shown to produce powerful beneficial effects in animal models of addiction. In particular, the ability of EE to promote abstinence and prevent relapse may allow for the identification of brain mechanisms responsible for the recovery from addiction. Indeed, the effects of EE on specific brain mechanisms could be mimicked by old or new molecules, which may become novel medications, called enviromimetics. Here, we review the best known enviromimetics for the treatment of addiction and suggest that, whereas these compounds may be relatively ineffective by themselves, they may be useful complements for existing therapeutic approaches to manage addiction which includes behavioural, environmental and pharmacological interventions.
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17
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A new method for vibration-based neurophenotyping of zebrafish. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 333:108563. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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18
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Kremer M, Becker LJ, Barrot M, Yalcin I. How to study anxiety and depression in rodent models of chronic pain? Eur J Neurosci 2020; 53:236-270. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Kremer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Léa J. Becker
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Michel Barrot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - Ipek Yalcin
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
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19
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Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Aslani S, Sousa N. The Impact of Physical Enrichment in the Structure of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens of the Adult Male Rat Brain. Neuroscience 2020; 454:51-60. [PMID: 32058067 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rodents' behavioural analysis can be influenced by several factors, including housing. The PhenoWorld (PhW) is an enriched housing and testing paradigm, which proved to be relevant for screening depressive-like behaviours in rats, being remarkably sensitive for hedonic behaviour. Herein, we assessed neuronal plasticity as a consequence of living in the PhW, by comparing the structure of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), two brain areas involved in the circuitry regulating motivation and reward. Our findings indicate that male rats living in the PhW display increased mPFC layer II volumes, as well as increased immature spine densities and total numbers in the mPFC pyramidal neurons. The NAc volumes and NAc medium spiny neurons branching tend also to be higher in animals experiencing the physical enrichment provided in the PhW, but significant differences were not found between animals living in PhW compared to animals living in standard cages (STD6). These results demonstrate that living in a more naturalistic complex environment, closer to real life experience, impacts on the structure of brain regions implicated in complex multidimensional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - S Aslani
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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20
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Torquet N, Marti F, Campart C, Tolu S, Nguyen C, Oberto V, Benallaoua M, Naudé J, Didienne S, Debray N, Jezequel S, Le Gouestre L, Hannesse B, Mariani J, Mourot A, Faure P. Social interactions impact on the dopaminergic system and drive individuality. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3081. [PMID: 30082725 PMCID: PMC6079008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05526-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuality is a striking feature of animal behavior. Individual animals differ in traits and preferences which shape their interactions and their prospects for survival. However, the mechanisms underlying behavioral individuation are poorly understood and are generally considered to be genetic-based. Here, we devised a large environment, Souris City, in which mice live continuously in large groups. We observed the emergence of individual differences in social behavior, activity levels, and cognitive traits, even though the animals had low genetic diversity (inbred C57BL/6J strain). We further show that the phenotypic divergence in individual behaviors was mirrored by developing differences in midbrain dopamine neuron firing properties. Strikingly, modifying the social environment resulted in a fast re-adaptation of both the animal's traits and its dopamine firing pattern. Individuality can rapidly change upon social challenges, and does not just depend on the genetic status or the accumulation of small differences throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Torquet
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - F Marti
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - C Campart
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - S Tolu
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - C Nguyen
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - V Oberto
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - M Benallaoua
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - J Naudé
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - S Didienne
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - N Debray
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Biological Adaptation and Ageing - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (B2A - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France.,APHP Hôpital Charles Foix, DHU FAST, Institut de la Longévité, Ivry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - S Jezequel
- APHP Hôpital Charles Foix, DHU FAST, Institut de la Longévité, Ivry-Sur-Seine, France.,Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS UMS, 28 Phénotypage du Petit Animal, 75005, Paris, France
| | - L Le Gouestre
- APHP Hôpital Charles Foix, DHU FAST, Institut de la Longévité, Ivry-Sur-Seine, France.,Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS UMS, 28 Phénotypage du Petit Animal, 75005, Paris, France
| | - B Hannesse
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - J Mariani
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Biological Adaptation and Ageing - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (B2A - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France.,APHP Hôpital Charles Foix, DHU FAST, Institut de la Longévité, Ivry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - A Mourot
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - P Faure
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France.
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21
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Kokras N, Baltas D, Theocharis F, Dalla C. Kinoscope: An Open-Source Computer Program for Behavioral Pharmacologists. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:88. [PMID: 28553211 PMCID: PMC5427106 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral analysis in preclinical neuropsychopharmacology relies on the accurate measurement of animal behavior. Several excellent solutions for computer-assisted behavioral analysis are available for specialized behavioral laboratories wishing to invest significant resources. Herein, we present an open source straightforward software solution aiming at the rapid and easy introduction to an experimental workflow, and at the improvement of training staff members in a better and more reproducible manual scoring of behavioral experiments with the use of visual aids-maps. Currently the program readily supports the Forced Swim Test, Novel Object Recognition test and the Elevated Plus maze test, but with minor modifications can be used for scoring virtually any behavioral test. Additional modules, with predefined templates and scoring parameters, are continuously added. Importantly, the prominent use of visual maps has been shown to improve, in a student-engaging manner, the training and auditing of scoring in behavioral rodent experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece.,First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Baltas
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece
| | - Foivos Theocharis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece
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22
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Anderzhanova E, Kirmeier T, Wotjak CT. Animal models in psychiatric research: The RDoC system as a new framework for endophenotype-oriented translational neuroscience. Neurobiol Stress 2017; 7:47-56. [PMID: 28377991 PMCID: PMC5377486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently proposed Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) system defines psychopathologies as phenomena of multilevel neurobiological existence and assigns them to 5 behavioural domains characterizing a brain in action. We performed an analysis on this contemporary concept of psychopathologies in respect to a brain phylogeny and biological substrates of psychiatric diseases. We found that the RDoC system uses biological determinism to explain the pathogenesis of distinct psychiatric symptoms and emphasises exploration of endophenotypes but not of complex diseases. Therefore, as a possible framework for experimental studies it allows one to evade a major challenge of translational studies of strict disease-to-model correspondence. The system conforms with the concept of a normality and pathology continuum, therefore, supports basic studies. The units of analysis of the RDoC system appear as a novel matrix for model validation. The general regulation and arousal, positive valence, negative valence, and social interactions behavioural domains of the RDoC system show basic construct, network, and phenomenological homologies between human and experimental animals. The nature and complexity of the cognitive behavioural domain of the RDoC system deserve further clarification. These homologies in the 4 domains justifies the validity, reliably and translatability of animal models appearing as endophenotypes of the negative and positive affect, social interaction and general regulation and arousal systems’ dysfunction. The RDoC system encourages endophenotype-oriented experimental studies in human and animals. The system conforms with the normality-pathology continuum concept. The RDoC system appears to be a suitable framework for basic research. Four RDoC domains show construct and phenomenological homology in human and animals. Endophenotype-based models of affective psychopathologies appear most reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Anderzhanova
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstrasse 2, 80804 Munich, Germany; FSBI "Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", Baltiyskaya street, 8, 125315, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstrasse 2, 80804 Munich, Germany
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23
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Brenneis C, Westhof A, Holschbach J, Michaelis M, Guehring H, Kleinschmidt-Doerr K. Automated Tracking of Motion and Body Weight for Objective Monitoring of Rats in Colony Housing. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2017; 56:18-31. [PMID: 28905711 PMCID: PMC5250491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Living together in large social communities within an enriched environment stimulates self-motivated activity in rats. We developed a modular housing system in which a single unit can accommodate as many as 48 rats and contains multiple functional areas. This rat colony cage further allowed us to remotely measure body weight and to continuously measure movement, including jumping and stair walking between areas. Compared with pair-housed, age-, strain-, and weight-matched rats in conventional cages, the colony-housed rats exhibited higher body mass indices, had more exploratory behavior, and were more cooperative during handling. Continuous activity tracking revealed that the amount of spontaneous locomotion, such as jumping between levels and running through the staircase, fell after surgery, blood sampling, injections, and behavioral tests to a similar extent regardless of the specific intervention. Data from the automated system allowed us to identify individual rats with significant differences (>2 SD) from other cohoused rats; these rats showed potential health problems, as verified using conventional health scoring. Thus, our rat colony cage permits social interaction and provides a variety of functional areas, thereby perhaps improving animal wellbeing. Furthermore, automated online tracking enabled continuous quantification of spontaneous motion, potentially providing objective measures of animal behavior in various disease models and reducing the need for experimental manipulation. Finally, health monitoring of individual rats was facilitated in an objective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Brenneis
- TIP Immunology, Innovation Cluster Osteoarthritis, Animal Science, and Welfare, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Andreas Westhof
- TIP Immunology, Innovation Cluster Osteoarthritis, Animal Science, and Welfare, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jeannine Holschbach
- Global Non-Clinical Safety, Animal Science, and Welfare, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Martin Michaelis
- TIP Immunology, Innovation Cluster Osteoarthritis, Animal Science, and Welfare, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Hans Guehring
- TIP Immunology, Innovation Cluster Osteoarthritis, Animal Science, and Welfare, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kleinschmidt-Doerr
- TIP Immunology, Innovation Cluster Osteoarthritis, Animal Science, and Welfare, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
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24
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Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Baumans V, Sousa N. PhenoWorld: addressing animal welfare in a new paradigm to house and assess rat behaviour. Lab Anim 2016; 51:36-43. [PMID: 26985009 DOI: 10.1177/0023677216638642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of animals is essential in biomedical research. The laboratory environment where the animals are housed has a major impact on them throughout their lives and influences the outcome of animal experiments. Therefore, there has been an increased effort in the refinement of laboratory housing conditions which is explicitly reflected in international regulations and recommendations. Since housing conditions affect behaviour and brain function as well as well-being, the validation of an animal model or paradigm to study the brain and central nervous system disorders is not complete without an evaluation of its implication on animal welfare. Here we discuss several aspects of animal welfare, comparing groups of six rats living in the PhenoWorld (PhW), a recently developed and validated paradigm for studying rodent behaviour, with standard-housed animals (in cages of six rats or pair-housed). In this study we present new data on home-cage behaviour showing that PhW animals have a clearer circadian pattern of sleep and social interaction. We conclude that, by promoting good basic health and functioning, together with the performance of natural behaviours, and maintaining animals' control over some of their environment but still keeping some physical and social challenges, the PhW stimulates positive affective states and higher motivation in rats, which might contribute to an increased welfare for animals living in the PhW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda J Castelhano-Carlos
- 1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,2 ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vera Baumans
- 3 Division of Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals, Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nuno Sousa
- 1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,2 ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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