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Huang Y, Qing R, Yang Y, Li M, Gao J. Sex and Age Differences in Ontogeny of Alloparenting: A Relation to Forebrain DRD1, DRD2, and HTR2A mRNA Expression? Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22524. [PMID: 38973227 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Alloparenting refers to the practice of caring for the young by individuals other than their biological parents. The relationship between the dynamic changes in psychological functions underlying alloparenting and the development of specific neuroreceptors remains unclear. Using a classic 10-day pup sensitization procedure, together with a pup preference and pup retrieval test on the EPM (elevated plus maze), we showed that both male and female adolescent rats (24 days old) had significantly shorter latency than adult rats (65 days old) to be alloparental, and their motivation levels for pups and objects were also significantly higher. In contrast, adult rats retrieved more pups than adolescent rats even though they appeared to be more anxious on the EPM. Analysis of mRNA expression using real-time-PCR revealed a higher dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) receptor expression in adult hippocampus, amygdala, and ventral striatum, along with higher dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) receptor expression in ventral striatum compared to adolescent rats. Adult rats also showed significantly higher levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) receptor expression in the medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, ventral striatum, and hypothalamus. These results suggest that the faster onset of alloparenting in adolescent rats compared to adult rats, along with the psychological functions involved, may be mediated by varying levels of dopamine DRD1, DRD2, and HTR2A in different forebrain regions.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/genetics
- Male
- Rats
- Female
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/metabolism
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/genetics
- Prosencephalon/metabolism
- Empathy/physiology
- Age Factors
- Sex Characteristics
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Behavior, Animal/physiology
- Amygdala/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Huang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruoting Qing
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
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Kuiper LB, Roberts JB, Estave PM, Leo D, Gainetdinov RR, Jones SR. Patterns of ethanol intake in male rats with partial dopamine transporter deficiency. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12847. [PMID: 37461188 PMCID: PMC10733570 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Mesolimbic dopamine signaling plays a major role in alcohol and substance use disorders as well as comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. Growing evidence suggests that alcohol drinking is modulated by the function of the dopamine transporter (DAT), which tightly regulates extracellular dopamine concentrations. Adult male rats on a Wistar Han background (DAT+/+) and rats with a partial DAT deletion (DAT+/-) were used in this study. First, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in brain slices containing the nucleus accumbens core from ethanol-naïve subjects, we measured greater evoked dopamine concentrations and slower dopamine reuptake in DAT+/- rats, consistent with increased dopamine signaling. Next, we measured ethanol drinking using the intermittent access two-bottle choice paradigm (20% v/v ethanol vs. water) across 5 weeks. DAT+/- rats voluntarily consumed less ethanol during its initial availability (the first 30 min), especially after longer periods of deprivation. In addition, DAT+/- males consumed less ethanol that was adulterated with the bitter tastant quinine. These findings suggest that partial DAT blockade and concomitant increase in brain dopamine levels has potential to reduce drinking and ameliorate alcohol use disorder (AUD).
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Affiliation(s)
- L. B. Kuiper
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - J. B. Roberts
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - P. M. Estave
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - D. Leo
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of MonsMonsBelgium
| | - R. R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational BiomedicineSt. Petersburg State UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
- St. Petersburg University HospitalSt. Petersburg State UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | - S. R. Jones
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
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3
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Apryatin SA, Traktirov DS, Karpenko MN, Ivleva IS, Pestereva NS, Bolshakova MV, Trofimov AN, Fesenko ZS, Klimenko VM. Antioxidant system alterations and physiological characteristics of neonatal and juvenile DAT-KO rats. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1651-1661. [PMID: 37394966 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25228] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats represent a valuable rodent model for studying the molecular and phenotypical outcomes of the effects of excessive dopamine accumulation in the synaptic cleft and the prolonged action of dopamine on neurons. Animals with DAT deficiency are characterized by hyperactivity, stereotypy, cognitive deficits, and impairments in behavioral and biochemical indicators. Several key pathophysiological mechanisms are known to be common to psychiatric, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and other diseases. Among these mechanisms, oxidative stress systems play a particularly important role. One of the main antioxidant systems in the brain is glutathione: specifically, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and catalase play a significant role in the regulation of vital oxidative processes, and their dysfunction has been shown in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The current study aimed to analyze the dynamics of the activity levels of glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase in erythrocytes, as well as catalase in the blood plasma, of DAT-deficient, homo- and heterozygous, neonatal and juvenile rats (both male and female). Their behavioral and physiological parameters were evaluated at the age of 1.5 months. For the first time, changes in physiological and biochemical parameters were shown in DAT-KO rats at 1.5 months of postnatal life. The key role of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and catalase in the regulation of oxidative stress in DAT-KO rats at the 5th week of life was demonstrated. A positive effect of a slightly increased dopamine level on memory function was shown in DAT-heterozygous animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Apryatin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - D S Traktirov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - M N Karpenko
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - I S Ivleva
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - N S Pestereva
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - M V Bolshakova
- Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A N Trofimov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Z S Fesenko
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V M Klimenko
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Pardo M, Martin M, Gainetdinov RR, Mash DC, Izenwasser S. Heterozygote Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats Display Enhanced Cocaine Locomotion in Adolescent Females. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315414. [PMID: 36499749 PMCID: PMC9736933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine is a powerful psychostimulant that is one of the most widely used illicit addictive. The dopamine transporter (DAT) plays a major role in mediating cocaine's reward effect. Decreases in DAT expression increase rates of drug abuse and vulnerability to comorbid psychiatric disorders. We used the novel DAT transgenic rat model to study the effects of cocaine on locomotor behaviors in adolescent rats, with an emphasis on sex. Female rats showed higher response rates to cocaine at lower acute and chronic doses, highlighting a higher vulnerability and perceived gender effects. In contrast, locomotor responses to an acute high dose of cocaine were more marked and sustained in male DAT heterozygous (HET) adolescents. The results demonstrate the augmented effects of chronic cocaine in HET DAT adolescent female rats. Knockout (KO) DAT led to a level of hyperdopaminergia which caused a marked basal hyperactivity that was unchanged, consistent with a possible ceiling effect. We suggest a role of alpha synuclein (α-syn) and PICK 1 protein expressions to the increased vulnerability in female rats. These proteins showed a lower expression in female HET and KO rats. This study highlights gender differences associated with mutations which affect DAT expression and can increase susceptibility to cocaine abuse in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pardo
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-786-230-7181
| | - Michele Martin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine and St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7-9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Deborah C Mash
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Sari Izenwasser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Ptukha M, Fesenko Z, Belskaya A, Gromova A, Pelevin A, Kurzina N, Gainetdinov RR, Volnova A. Effects of Atomoxetine on Motor and Cognitive Behaviors and Brain Electrophysiological Activity of Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101484. [PMID: 36291693 PMCID: PMC9599468 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission are considered to be the underlying cause of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine (ATX) is a selective norepinephrine transporter (NET) inhibitor that is currently used for ADHD treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of atomoxetine on the behavior and brain activity of dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats, which are characterized by an ADHD-like behavioral phenotype. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) was assessed in DAT-KO and wild type rats after saline and ATX injections, as well as behavioral parameters in the Hebb-Williams maze and power spectra and coherence of electrophysiological activity. DAT-KO rats demonstrated a pronounced behavioral and electrophysiological phenotype, characterized by hyperactivity, increased number of errors in the maze, repetitive behaviors and disrupted PPI, changes in cortical and striatal power spectra and interareal coherence. Atomoxetine significantly improved PPI and decreased repetitive behaviors in DAT-KO rats and influenced behavior of wild-type rats. ATX also led to significant changes in power spectra and coherence of DAT-KO and wild type rats. Assessment of noradrenergic modulation effects in DAT-KO provides insight into the intricate interplay of monoaminergic systems, although further research is still required to fully understand the complexity of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ptukha
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Zoia Fesenko
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia Belskaya
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Arina Gromova
- Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Arseniy Pelevin
- Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Kurzina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Saint Petersburg State University Hospital, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Volnova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (A.V.)
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6
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Festucci F, Annunzi E, Pepe M, Curcio G, D'Addario C, Adriani W. Dopamine-transporter heterozygous rats carrying maternal wild-type allele are more vulnerable to the development of compulsive behavior. Synapse 2022; 76:31-44. [PMID: 35772468 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Compulsivity is defined as an unstoppable tendency towards repetitive and habitual actions, which are reiterated despite negative consequences. Polydipsia is induced preclinically by intermittent reward leading rodents to ingest large amounts of fluids. We focused on the role of dopamine transporter (DAT) and inheritance factors in compulsive behavior. Our sample consisted of DAT heterozygous (HET) rats with different genetic inheritance (MAT-HET, born from WT-dams x KO-fathers; MIX-HET, born from HET-dams x KO-fathers). As controls, we used both wild-type (WT) rats and their socially-isolated (WTi) siblings. We ran the schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP) protocol, to induce compulsive behavior; then the Y-maze and marble-burying tests, to verify its actual development. Only MAT-HET (who inherited the functional DAT allele from the WT mother) is vulnerable to developing compulsive behavior. MAT-HET rats drank increasingly more water during SIP and showed significant perseverance in the Y-maze test and exhibited compulsive actions in the marble-burying test. Interestingly, compulsive behaviors of MAT-HET rats correlate with expression ex-vivo of different genes in different areas. Regarding the prefrontal cortex (PFC), D2R correlates with Y-maze "perseverance" in addition to BDNF; considering the amygdala (AMY), both D3R and OXTR correlate with SIP "licks". Indeed, compulsivity may be linked to D2R and BDNF in PFC, while extreme anxiety in MAT-HET rats may be associated with D3R and OXTR in the amygdala. These results confirm some similarities between MAT-HET and DAT-KO subjects and link the epigenetic context of the DAT gene to the development of compulsive behavior. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Festucci
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Eugenia Annunzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d' Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Martina Pepe
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curcio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Melis MR, Sanna F, Argiolas A. Dopamine, Erectile Function and Male Sexual Behavior from the Past to the Present: A Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070826. [PMID: 35884633 PMCID: PMC9312911 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070826] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Early and recent studies show that dopamine through its neuronal systems and receptor subtypes plays different roles in the control of male sexual behavior. These studies show that (i) the mesolimbic/mesocortical dopaminergic system plays a key role in the preparatory phase of sexual behavior, e.g., in sexual arousal, motivation and reward, whereas the nigrostriatal system controls the sensory-motor coordination necessary for copulation, (ii) the incertohypothalamic system is involved in the consummatory aspects of sexual behavior (penile erection and copulation), but evidence for its role in sexual motivation is also available, (iii) the pro-sexual effects of dopamine occur in concert with neural systems interconnecting the hypothalamus and preoptic area with the spinal cord, ventral tegmental area and other limbic brain areas and (iv) D2 and D4 receptors play a major role in the pro-sexual effects of dopamine. Despite some controversy, increases or decreases, respectively, of brain dopamine activity induced by drugs or that occur physiologically, usually improves or worsens, respectively, sexual activity. These findings suggest that an altered central dopaminergic tone plays a role in mental pathologies characterized by aberrant sexual behavior, and that pro-erectile D4 receptor agonists may be considered a new strategy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men.
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Savchenko A, Müller C, Lubec J, Leo D, Korz V, Afjehi-Sadat L, Malikovic J, Sialana FJ, Lubec G, Sukhanov I. The Lack of Dopamine Transporter Is Associated With Conditional Associative Learning Impairments and Striatal Proteomic Changes. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:799433. [PMID: 35370807 PMCID: PMC8971526 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.799433] [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: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is critically involved in different functions of the central nervous system (CNS) including control of voluntary movement, affect, reward, sleep, and cognition. One of the key components of DA neurotransmission is DA reuptake by the DA transporter (DAT), ensuring rapid clearance of DA from the synaptic cleft. Thus, lack of DAT leads to persistent high extracellular DA levels. While there is strong evidence for a role of striatal dopaminergic activity in learning and memory processes, little is known about the contribution of DAT deficiency to conditional learning impairments and underlying molecular processes. DAT-knockout (DAT-KO) rats were tested in a set of behavioral experiments evaluating conditional associative learning, which requires unaltered striatal function. In parallel, a large-scale proteomic analysis of the striatum was performed to identify molecular factors probably underlying behavioral patterns. DAT-KO rats were incapable to acquire a new operant skill in Pavlovian/instrumental autoshaping, although the conditional stimulus-unconditional stimulus (CS-US) association seems to be unaffected. These findings suggest that DAT directly or indirectly contributes to the reduction of transference of incentive salience from the reward to the CS. We propose that specific impairment of conditional learning might be caused by molecular adaptations to the hyperdopaminergic state, presumably by dopamine receptor 1 (DRD1) hypofunction, as proposed by proteomic analysis. Whether DRD1 downregulation can cause cognitive deficits in the hyperdopaminergic state is the subject of discussion, and further studies are needed to answer this question. This study may be useful for the interpretation of previous and the design of future studies in the dopamine field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Savchenko
- Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Carina Müller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Lubec
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Damiana Leo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Volker Korz
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Leila Afjehi-Sadat
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jovana Malikovic
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fernando J Sialana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gert Lubec
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ilya Sukhanov
- Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Kurzina N, Belskaya A, Gromova A, Ignashchenkova A, Gainetdinov RR, Volnova A. Modulation of Spatial Memory Deficit and Hyperactivity in Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats via α2A-Adrenoceptors. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:851296. [PMID: 35401264 PMCID: PMC8990031 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.851296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is manifested by a specific set of behavioral deficits such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The dopamine neurotransmitter system is postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Guanfacine, a selective α2A-adrenoceptor agonist, is prescribed for ADHD treatment. ADHD also is known to be associated with impairment of multiple aspects of cognition, including spatial memory, however, it remains unclear how modulation of the norepinephrine system can affect these deficits. Hyperdopaminergic dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats are a valuable model for investigating ADHD. The DAT-KO rats are hyperactive and deficient in spatial working memory. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of noradrenergic drugs on the fulfillment of spatial cognitive tasks by DAT-KO rats. The rats were tested in the Hebb - Williams maze during training and following noradrenergic drugs administration. The efficiency of spatial orientation was assessed as to how fast the animal finds an optimal way to the goal box. Testing in a new maze configuration allowed us to evaluate the effects of drug administration after the acquisition of the task rules. The behavioral variables such as the distance traveled, the time to reach the goal box, and the time spent in the error zones were analyzed. It has been observed that α2A-adrenoceptor agonist Guanfacine (0.25 mg/kg) had only a minimal inhibitory effect on hyperactivity of DAT-KO rats in the maze but significantly ameliorated their perseverative pattern of activity and reduced the time spent in the error zones. In contrast, α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist Yohimbine, at the dose of 1 mg/kg, increased the distance traveled by DAT-KO rats and elevated the number of perseverative reactions and the time spent in the error zones. Guanfacine caused minimal effects in wild-type rats, while Yohimbine altered several parameters reflecting a detrimental effect on the performance in the maze. These data indicate that modulation of α2A-adrenoceptor activity potently affects both dopamine-dependent hyperactivity and cognitive dysfunctions. Similar mechanisms may be involved in the beneficial effects of Guanfacine on cognitive deficits in ADHD patients. This study further supports the translational potential of DAT-KO rats for testing new pharmacological drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kurzina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia Belskaya
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Arina Gromova
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alla Ignashchenkova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Saint Petersburg University Hospital, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Volnova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Parvopassu A, Oggiano M, Festucci F, Curcio G, Alleva E, Adriani W. Altering the development of the dopaminergic system through social play in rats: Implications for anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and compulsivity. Neurosci Lett 2021; 760:136090. [PMID: 34197903 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine is essential to many functions like reward, motivation, and attention; when its neural pathways do not function properly, various disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, compulsions) can arise. Truncated-DAT rats display persistent stereotypies and aggressiveness; hence they are a new valuable animal model to study the pathogenesis of these disorders. The focus of research is often on the individual epigenetic determinants and much less on the impact of social experiences. Here, we investigate the developmental impact of the social environment on adolescent wild type (WT) rats. We divided subjects at weaning into three groups: living with another adolescent (WT Peer), with a WT adult, or with a truncated-DAT one, and we observed homecage social behavior of these pairs (play, jump, victory, and "bullying") during whole adolescence. When adult, we observed the same subjects in plus maze, forced swim, and social preference tests to measure levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of social interactions. Compared to the other groups, WT rats that had spent their adolescence with a truncated-DAT adult as companion show more anxious, depressive, hyperactive, impulsive, and compulsive behaviours. Results confirm that social interactions and healthy play (i.e., when play has behavioural, social, and psychomotor rewards that support the cognitive, emotional and physical development of the individual) are essential to neurobehavioral maturation. Conversely, anomalous interactions like poor play and "bullying" in developing rats may impact onto their dopaminergic system. Consequently, an impoverished social play could be one of the factors contributing to the appearance of putative indexes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and\or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Parvopassu
- Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy; Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Oggiano
- European Mind and Metabolism Association, Via Valtellina 108, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Festucci
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, L'Aquila, Italy; Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curcio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Enrico Alleva
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- European Mind and Metabolism Association, Via Valtellina 108, Rome, Italy; Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy.
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Kurzina NP, Volnova AB, Aristova IY, Gainetdinov RR. A New Paradigm for Training Hyperactive Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats: Influence of Novel Stimuli on Object Recognition. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:654469. [PMID: 33967714 PMCID: PMC8100052 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.654469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is believed to be connected with a high level of hyperactivity caused by alterations of the control of dopaminergic transmission in the brain. The strain of hyperdopaminergic dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats represents an optimal model for investigating ADHD-related pathological mechanisms. The goal of this work was to study the influence of the overactivated dopamine system in the brain on a motor cognitive task fulfillment. The DAT-KO rats were trained to learn an object recognition task and store it in long-term memory. We found that DAT-KO rats can learn to move an object and retrieve food from the rewarded familiar objects and not to move the non-rewarded novel objects. However, we observed that the time of task performance and the distances traveled were significantly increased in DAT-KO rats in comparison with wild-type controls. Both groups of rats explored the novel objects longer than the familiar cubes. However, unlike controls, DAT-KO rats explored novel objects significantly longer and with fewer errors, since they preferred not to move the non-rewarded novel objects. After a 3 months' interval that followed the training period, they were able to retain the learned skills in memory and to efficiently retrieve them. The data obtained indicate that DAT-KO rats have a deficiency in learning the cognitive task, but their hyperactivity does not prevent the ability to learn a non-spatial cognitive task under the presentation of novel stimuli. The longer exploration of novel objects during training may ensure persistent learning of the task paradigm. These findings may serve as a base for developing new ADHD learning paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia P. Kurzina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna B. Volnova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina Y. Aristova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Saint Petersburg State University Hospital, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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12
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Early Adolescence Prefrontal Cortex Alterations in Female Rats Lacking Dopamine Transporter. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020157. [PMID: 33562738 PMCID: PMC7914429 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoamine dysfunctions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) can contribute to diverse neuropsychiatric disorders, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD and depression. Disrupted dopamine (DA) homeostasis, and more specifically dopamine transporter (DAT) alterations, have been reported in a variety of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent studies using female adult rats heterozygous (DAT+/-) and homozygous (DAT-/-) for DAT gene, showed the utility of those rats in the study of PTSD and ADHD. Currently, a gap in the knowledge of these disorders affecting adolescent females still represents a major limit for the development of appropriate treatments. The present work focuses on the characterization of the PFC function under conditions of heterozygous and homozygous ablation of DAT during early adolescence based on the known implication of DAT and PFC DA in psychopathology during adolescence. We report herein that genetic ablation of DAT in the early adolescent PFC of female rats leads to changes in neuronal and glial cell homeostasis. In brief, we observed a concurrent hyperactive phenotype, accompanied by PFC alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission, signs of neurodegeneration and glial activation in DAT-ablated rats. The present study provides further understanding of underlying neuroinflammatory pathological processes that occur in DAT-ablated female rats, what can provide novel investigational approaches in human diseases.
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13
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Zelli S, Brancato A, Mattioli F, Pepe M, Alleva E, Carbone C, Cannizzaro C, Adriani W. A new "sudden fright paradigm" to explore the role of (epi)genetic modulations of the DAT gene in fear-induced avoidance behavior. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12709. [PMID: 33070435 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in dopamine (DA) reuptake are involved in several psychiatric disorders whose symptoms can be investigated in knock out rats for the DA transporter (DAT-KO). Recent studies evidenced the role of epigenetic DAT modulation in depressive-like behavior. Accordingly, we used heterozygous (HET) rats born from both HET parents (termed MIX-HET), compared to HET rats born from WT-mother and KO-father (MAT-HET), implementing the role of maternal care on DAT modulation. We developed a "sudden fright" paradigm (based on dark-light test) to study reaction to fearful inputs in the DAT-KO, MAT-HET, MIX-HET, and WT groups. Rats could freely explore the whole 3-chambers apparatus; then, they were gently confined in one room where they experienced the fright; finally, they could freely move again. As expected, after the fearful stimulus only MAT-HET rats showed a different behavior consisting of avoidance towards the fear-associated chamber, compared to WT rats. Furthermore, ex-vivo immuno-fluorescence reveals higher prefrontal DAT levels in MAT-HET compared to MIX-HET and WT rats. Immuno-fluorescence shows also a different histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes concentration. Since HDAC concentration could modulate gene expression, within MAT-HET fore brain, the enhanced expression of DAT could well impair the corticostriatal-thalamic circuit, thus causing aberrant avoidance behavior (observed only in MAT-HET rats). DAT expression seems to be linked to a simply different breeding condition, which points to a reduced care by HET dams for epigenetic regulation. This could imply significant prefronto-cortical influences onto the emotional processes: hence an excessively frightful response, even to mild stressful agents, may draw developmental trajectories toward anxious and depressed-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Zelli
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale "Uninettuno", Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Brancato
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Mattioli
- Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale "Uninettuno", Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Pepe
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Alleva
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Carbone
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale "Uninettuno", Rome, Italy
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14
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Illiano P, Bigford GE, Gainetdinov RR, Pardo M. Rats Lacking Dopamine Transporter Display Increased Vulnerability and Aberrant Autonomic Response to Acute Stress. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060842. [PMID: 32486390 PMCID: PMC7356162 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is pivotal in homeostasis and presides the adaptative response to stress. Dopamine Transporter (DAT) plays a key role in the regulation of the HPA axis. We used young adult female DAT Knockout (KO) rats to assess the effects of DAT ablation (partial, heterozygous DAT+/-, or total, homozygous DAT-/-) on vulnerability to stress. DAT-/- rats show profound dysregulation of pituitary homeostasis, in the presence of elevated peripheral corticosterone, before and after acute restraint stress. During stress, DAT-/- rats show abnormal autonomic response at either respiratory and cardiovascular level, and delayed body temperature increase. DAT+/- rats display minor changes of hypophyseal homeostatic mechanisms. These rats display a similar pituitary activation to that of the control animals, albeit in the presence of higher release of peripheral corticosterone than DAT-/- after stress, and reduced temperature during stress. Our data indicate that DAT regulates the HPA axis at both the central and peripheral level, including autonomic function during stress. In particular, the partial deletion of DAT results in increased vulnerability to stress in female rats, which display central and peripheral alterations that are reminiscent of PTSD, and they might provide new insights in the pathophysiology of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Placido Illiano
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
- Correspondence: (P.I.); (M.P.)
| | - Gregory E. Bigford
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7–9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7–9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Marta Pardo
- Department of Neurology and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Correspondence: (P.I.); (M.P.)
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15
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Kurzina NP, Aristova IY, Volnova AB, Gainetdinov RR. Deficit in working memory and abnormal behavioral tactics in dopamine transporter knockout rats during training in the 8-arm maze. Behav Brain Res 2020; 390:112642. [PMID: 32428629 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the role of the dopamine system in learning and memory processes is very important for uncovering central mechanisms underlying complex behavioral responses that can be impaired in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders caused by dopamine system dysfunction. One of the most useful animal models for dopaminergic dysregulation is the strain of dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats that have no dopamine re-uptake and thus elevated extracellular dopamine levels. It is known that dopamine is involved in various cognitive processes such as learning, memory and attention. This investigation was focused on the ability of DAT-KO rats to learn and perform a behavioral task in the 8-arm radial maze test. It was found that DAT-KO rats are able to learn the behavioral task, but the level of task performance did not reach that of WT group. The behavioral tactics used by animals during training significantly differ in mutants. The behavioral tactics used by DAT-KO rats involved perseverations and resulted in worse task fulfillment in comparison to wild-type controls. The data obtained indicate that deficient dopamine reuptake results in an impairment of working memory and perseverative behavioral tactics in DAT-KO rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- N P Kurzina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - I Y Aristova
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - A B Volnova
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
| | - R R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Saint Petersburg State University Hospital, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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16
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Sanna F, Bratzu J, Serra MP, Leo D, Quartu M, Boi M, Espinoza S, Gainetdinov RR, Melis MR, Argiolas A. Altered Sexual Behavior in Dopamine Transporter (DAT) Knockout Male Rats: A Behavioral, Neurochemical and Intracerebral Microdialysis Study. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:58. [PMID: 32372926 PMCID: PMC7185326 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Central dopamine plays a key role in sexual behavior. Recently, a Dopamine Transporter knockout (DAT KO) rat has been developed, which displays several behavioral dysfunctions that have been related to increased extracellular dopamine levels and altered dopamine turnover secondary to DAT gene silencing. This prompted us to characterize the sexual behavior of these DAT KO rats and their heterozygote (HET) and wild type (WT) counterparts in classical copulatory tests with a sexually receptive female rat and to verify if and how the acquisition of sexual experience changes along five copulatory tests in these rat lines. Extracellular dopamine and glutamic acid concentrations were also measured in the dialysate obtained by intracerebral microdialysis from the nucleus accumbens (Acb) shell of DAT KO, HET and WT rats, which underwent five copulatory tests, when put in the presence of an inaccessible sexually receptive female rat and when copulation was allowed. Markers of neurotropism (BDNF, trkB), neural activation (Δ-FosB), functional (Arc and PSA-NCAM) and structural synaptic plasticity (synaptophysin, syntaxin-3, PSD-95) were also measured in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), Acb (shell and core) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by Western Blot assays. The results indicate that the sexual behavior of DAT KO vs. HET and WT rats shows peculiar differences, mainly due to a more rapid acquisition of stable sexual activity levels and to higher levels of sexual motivation and activity. These differences occurred with differential changes in dopamine and glutamic acid concentrations in Acb dialysates during sexual behavior, with lower increases of dopamine and glutamic acid in DAT KO vs. WT and HET rats, and a lower expression of the markers investigated, mainly in the mPFC, in DAT KO vs. WT rats. Together these findings confirm a key role of dopamine in sexual behavior and provide evidence that the permanently high levels of dopamine triggered by DAT gene silencing cause alterations in both the frontocortical glutamatergic neurons projecting to the Acb and VTA and in the mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, leading to specific brain regional changes in trophic support and neuroplastic processes, which may have a role in the sexual behavior differences found among the three rat genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Bratzu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Citomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Damiana Leo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Citomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marianna Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Citomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefano Espinoza
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria Rosaria Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Argiolas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Cagliari Section, Cagliari, Italy
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17
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Carbone C, Brancato A, Adinolfi A, Lo Russo SLM, Alleva E, Cannizzaro C, Adriani W. Motor Transitions' Peculiarity of Heterozygous DAT Rats When Offspring of an Unconventional KOxWT Mating. Neuroscience 2020; 433:108-120. [PMID: 32171819 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Causal factors of psychiatric diseases are unclear, due to gene × environment interactions. Evaluation of consequences, after a dopamine-transporter (DAT) gene knock-out (DAT-KO), has enhanced our understanding into the pathological dynamics of several brain disorders, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Bipolar-Affective disorders. Recently, our attention has shifted to DAT hypo-functional (heterozygous, HET) rodents: HET dams display less maternal care and HET females display marked hypo-locomotion if cared by HET dams (Mariano et al., 2019). We assessed phenotypes of male DAT-heterozygous rats as a function of their parents: we compared "maternal" origin (MAT-HET, obtained by breeding KO-male rats with WT-female dams) to "mixed" origin (MIX-HET, obtained by classical breeding, both heterozygous parents) of the allele. MAT-HET subjects had significantly longer rhythms of daily locomotor activity than MIX-HET and WT-control subjects. Furthermore, acute methylphenidate (MPH: 0, 1, 2 mg/kg) revealed elevated threshold for locomotor stimulation in MAT-HETs, with no response to the lower dose. Finally, by Porsolt-Test, MAT-HETs showed enhanced escape-seeking (diving) with more transitions towards behavioral despair (floating). When comparing both MAT- and MIX-HET to WT-control rats, decreased levels of DAT and HDAC4 were evident in the ventral-striatum; moreover, with respect to MIX-HET subjects, MAT-HET ones displayed increased DAT density in dorsal-striatum. MAT-HET rats displayed region-specific changes in DAT expression, compared to "classical" MIX-HET subjects: greater DAT availability may elevate threshold for dopamine action. Further behavioral and epigenetic characterizations of MAT-HETs, together with deeper characterization of maternal roles, could help to explore parent-of-origin mechanisms for such a peculiar phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Carbone
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Brancato
- Dept Sciences of Health Promotion & Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Adinolfi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Alleva
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Dept Sciences of Health Promotion & Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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18
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Castellani G, Contarini G, Mereu M, Albanesi E, Devroye C, D'Amore C, Ferretti V, De Martin S, Papaleo F. Dopamine-mediated immunomodulation affects choroid plexus function. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:138-150. [PMID: 31175999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune system alterations have been implicated in various dopamine-related disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). How immunity might be influenced by dopaminergic dysfunction and impact on clinically-relevant behaviors is still uncertain. We performed a peripheral and cerebral immunophenotyping in mice bearing dopaminergic alteration produced by genetic liability (hypofunction of the dopamine transporter DAT) and psychostimulant (amphetamine) administration. We found that DAT hypofunction influences immune tolerance by increasing functional Tregs and adrenomedullin levels in the thymus and spleen, while reducing microglia activation and infiltration of brain monocyte-derived macrophages (mo-MΦ). Remarkably, both DAT hypofunction and amphetamine treatment are associated with a weaker activation of the choroid plexus (CP) gateway. Conversely, amphetamine reactivated the CP in the setting of DAT hypofunction, paralleling its paradoxical ADHD-relevant behavioral effects. These findings add new knowledge on dopaminergic immunopharmacology and support the immunomodulation of CP functionality as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Castellani
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy; Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Gabriella Contarini
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy; Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Maddalena Mereu
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy; Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ennio Albanesi
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Céline Devroye
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Amore
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Ferretti
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti, 2, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
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Apryatin SA, Shipelin VA, Trusov NV, Mzhelskaya KV, Evstratova VS, Kirbaeva NV, Soto JS, Fesenko ZS, Gainetdinov RR, Gmoshinski IV. Comparative analysis of the influence of a high-fat/high-carbohydrate diet on the level of anxiety and neuromotor and cognitive functions in Wistar and DAT-KO rats. Physiol Rep 2019; 7:e13987. [PMID: 30784211 PMCID: PMC6381039 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We compared anxiety, neuromotor, and cognitive functions in mutant rats with different allelic variants of dopamine transporter DAT knockout receiving balanced or excess in fat and fructose diet. The experiments were performed in DAT-/- homozygotes, DAT+/- heterozygotes, and DAT+/+ wild type rats. The genotype of DAT-KO rats was confirmed by restriction analysis of DAT gene compared to behavioral responses in the open field test (OF). Animals in the first groups of each strain were fed a balanced AIN93M diet; and those in the second groups with a high-fat/high-fructose diet. Neuromotor function was studied as grip strength, and behavioral responses were assessed in the elevated plus maze and conditioned passive avoidance response tests. The mass of the internal organs and white and brown fat, as well as selected lipid and nitrogen metabolism parameters in blood plasma were determined at the end of the experiment. DAT-/- had the highest specific grip strength, and showed an increase in initial exploratory activity in comparison with DAT+/- and DAT +/+. The exploratory activity was significantly reduced in the second test compared to the first one in DAT-/- and DAT+/- of first but not second group. Anxiety decreased with age in the second groups of DAT+/- and DAT+/+ (but not in DAT-/-) and was higher in DAT+/+ than in DAT+/- and DAT-/-. Excess fat and fructose resulted in the deterioration of short-term memory in DAT+/+. Lipidomic indices of blood plasma were less responsive to diet in DAT-/- and DAT-/+ in comparison to DAT+/+. The increased AsAT/AlAT activity ratio in DAT-/- compared with those in DAT+/+ suggests the activation of catabolism activity in the mutants. The consumption of excess fat and fructose significantly modified the effects produced by DAT gene allelic variants presumably due to the influence on the processes of dopamine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nikita V. Trusov
- Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and BiotechnologyMoscowRussia
| | | | | | | | - Jorge S. Soto
- Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and BiotechnologyMoscowRussia
| | - Zoia S. Fesenko
- Institute of Translational BiomedicineSt. Petersburg State UniversityPetersburgRussia
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational BiomedicineSt. Petersburg State UniversityPetersburgRussia
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20
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Adinolfi A, Zelli S, Leo D, Carbone C, Mus L, Illiano P, Alleva E, Gainetdinov RR, Adriani W. Behavioral characterization of DAT-KO rats and evidence of asocial-like phenotypes in DAT-HET rats: The potential involvement of norepinephrine system. Behav Brain Res 2018; 359:516-527. [PMID: 30472113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a key neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, whose availability is regulated by the dopamine transporter (DAT). Deletion of DAT gene leading to hyperdopaminergia was previously performed on mouse models. This enabled recapitulation of the core symptoms of Attention-Deficit / Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD), which include hyperactivity, inattention and cognitive impairment. We used recently developed DAT knockout (DAT-KO) rats to carry out further behavioral profiling on this novel model of hyperdopaminergia. DAT-KO rats display elevated locomotor activity and restless environmental exploration, associated with a transient anxiety profile. Furthermore, these rats show pronounced stereotypy and compulsive-like behavior at the Marble-Burying test. Homozygous DAT-KO rats mantain intact social interaction when tested in a social-preference task, while heterozygous (HET) rats show high inactivity associated with close proximity to the social stimulus. Ex-vivo evaluation of brain catecholamines highlighted increased levels of norepinephrine in the hippocampus and hypothalamus exclusively of heterozygous rats. Taken together, our data present evidence of unexpected asocial tendencies in heterozygous (DAT-HET) rats associated with neurochemical alterations in norepinephrine neurotransmission. We shed light on the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of altered DAT function in a higher, more complex model of hyperdopaminergia. Unraveling the role of DA neurotransmission in DAT-KO rats has very important implications in the understanding of many psychiatric illnesses, including ADHD, where alterations in DA system have been demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Adinolfi
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Zelli
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Damiana Leo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Cristiana Carbone
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Liudmila Mus
- Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Placido Illiano
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Enrico Alleva
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 143025 Moscow, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
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Zoratto F, Altabella L, Tistarelli N, Laviola G, Adriani W, Canese R. Inside the Developing Brain to Understand Teen Behavior From Rat Models: Metabolic, Structural, and Functional-Connectivity Alterations Among Limbic Structures Across Three Pre-adolescent Stages. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:208. [PMID: 30319367 PMCID: PMC6165895 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is an age of transition when most brain structures undergo drastic modifications, becoming progressively more interconnected and undergoing several changes from a metabolic and structural viewpoint. In the present study, three MR techniques are used in rats to investigate how metabolites, structures and patterns of connectivity do change. We focused in particular on areas belonging to the limbic system, across three post-weaning developmental stages: from "early" (PND 21-25) to "mid" (i.e., a juvenile transition, PND 28-32) and then to "late" (i.e., the adolescent transition, PND 35-39). The rs-fMRI data, with comparison between early and mid (juvenile transition) age-stage rats, highlights patterns of enhanced connectivity from both Striata to both Hippocampi and from there to (left-sided) Nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC). Also, during this week there is a maturation of pathways from right Striatum to ipsilateral NAcc, from right OFC to ipsilateral NAcc and vice versa, from left Prefrontal Cortex to ipsilateral OFC and eventually from left Striatum, NAcc and Prefrontal Cortex to contralateral OFC. After only 1 week, in late age-stage rats entering into adolescence, the first pathway mentioned above keeps on growing while other patterns appear: both NAcc are reached from contralateral Striatum, right Hippocampus from both Amygdalae, and left NAcc -further- from right Hippocampus. It's interesting to notice the fact that, independently from the age when these connections develop, Striata of both hemispheres send axons to both Hippocampi and both NAcc sides, both Hippocampi reach left NAcc and OFC and finally both NAcc sides reach right OFC. Intriguingly, the Striatum only indirectly reaches the OFC by passing through Hippocampus and NAcc. Data obtained with DTI highlight how adolescents' neurite density may be affected within sub-cortical gray matter, especially for NAcc and OFC at "late" age-stage (adolescence). Finally, levels of metabolites were investigated by 1H-MRS in the anterior part of the hippocampus: we put into evidence an increase in myo-inositol during juvenile transition and a taurine reduction plus a total choline increase during adolescent transition. In this paper, the aforementioned pattern guides the formulation of hypotheses concerning the correlation between the establishment of novel brain connections and the emergence of behavioral traits that are typical of adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Zoratto
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Naomi Tistarelli
- Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
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Cinque S, Zoratto F, Poleggi A, Leo D, Cerniglia L, Cimino S, Tambelli R, Alleva E, Gainetdinov RR, Laviola G, Adriani W. Behavioral Phenotyping of Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats: Compulsive Traits, Motor Stereotypies, and Anhedonia. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:43. [PMID: 29520239 PMCID: PMC5826953 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in dopamine neurotransmission are generally associated with diseases such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Such diseases typically feature poor decision making and lack of control on executive functions and have been studied through the years using many animal models. Dopamine transporter (DAT) knockout (KO) and heterozygous (HET) mice, in particular, have been widely used to study ADHD. Recently, a strain of DAT KO rats has been developed (1). Here, we provide a phenotypic characterization of reward sensitivity and compulsive choice by adult rats born from DAT-HET dams bred with DAT-HET males, in order to further validate DAT KO rats as an animal model for preclinical research. We first tested DAT KO rats' sensitivity to rewarding stimuli, provided by highly appetitive food or sweet water; then, we tested their choice behavior with an Intolerance-to-Delay Task (IDT). During these tests, DAT KO rats appeared less sensitive to rewarding stimuli than wild-type (WT) and HET rats: they also showed a prominent hyperactive behavior with a rigid choice pattern and a wide number of compulsive stereotypies. Moreover, during the IDT, we tested the effects of amphetamine (AMPH) and RO-5203648, a trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) partial agonist. AMPH accentuated impulsive behaviors in WT and HET rats, while it had no effect in DAT KO rats. Finally, we measured the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine receptor 2 (D2), serotonin transporter, and TAAR1 mRNA transcripts in samples of ventral striatum, finding no significant differences between WT and KO genotypes. Throughout this study, DAT KO rats showed alterations in decision-making processes and in motivational states, as well as prominent motor and oral stereotypies: more studies are warranted to fully characterize and efficiently use them in preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cinque
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Zoratto
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Poleggi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Damiana Leo
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Cerniglia
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Cimino
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Alleva
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
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Leo D, Sukhanov I, Gainetdinov RR. Novel translational rat models of dopamine transporter deficiency. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:2091-2093. [PMID: 30323131 PMCID: PMC6199938 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.241453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Damiana Leo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ilya Sukhanov
- Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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