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Takahashi A. Associations of the immune system in aggression traits and the role of microglia as mediators. Neuropharmacology 2024; 256:110021. [PMID: 38825308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110021] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
There is an important relationship between the immune system and aggressive behavior. Aggressive encounters acutely increase the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and there are positive correlations between aggressive traits and peripheral proinflammatory cytokines. Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, which results in peripheral immune activation, decreases aggressive behavior as one of the sickness behavioral symptoms. In contrast, certain brain infections and chronic interferon treatment are associated with increased aggression. Indeed, the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the brain in aggressive behavior are bidirectional, depending on the type and dose of cytokine, target brain region, and type of aggression. Some studies have suggested that microglial activation and neuroinflammation influence intermale aggression in rodent models. In addition, pathological conditions as well as physiological levels of cytokines produced by microglia play an important role in social and aggressive behavior in adult animals. Furthermore, microglial function in early development is necessary for the establishment of the social brain and the expression of juvenile social behaviors, including play fighting. Overall, this review discusses the important link between the immune system and aggressive traits and the role of microglia as mediators of this link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
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McClafferty SR, Paniagua-Ugarte C, Hannabass ZM, Jackson PA, Hayes DM. Comparing the effects of infant maternal and sibling separation on adolescent behavior in rats (Rattus norvegicus). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308958. [PMID: 39150925 PMCID: PMC11329123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal separation in early life has been observed to have lasting, detrimental effects that impair personal and social development and can persist into adulthood. Maternal separation during infancy can be most detrimental during adolescence, leading to long-term adverse effects on development and social behavior. This research study compared the effects of sibling and maternal separation in infancy on anxiety, sociability, or memory later in adolescence (postnatal day, PND, 50-58) in male and female Long-Evans Rats (Rattus norvegicus). Rat pups were semi-randomly assigned into eight conditions for daily isolation (PND 1-14). The groups were separated by the duration of isolation between 15 minutes (control group) or 180 minutes (experimental group) and the sex of the rat. They were also separated by comfort conditions with the dam present in an adjoining cage versus not present and siblings present or not present during isolation. The result was a 2 (15-min vs. 180-min) x 2 (dam vs. no dam) x 2 (single vs. grouped) x 2 (male vs. female) design. Once pups had reached adolescence (PND 50), researchers tested for differences in anxiety, activity, and social behavior using elevated plus-maze, open field habituation, a three-chamber social interaction, and a social discrimination task. Results indicate that longer isolation was more stressful and caused lower body weight. The female rats showed more anxious behavior in the open field but only if they were in the shorter isolation group. Social interaction showed that the rats isolated with the dam had different effects of isolation. In males, shorter isolation with the dam increased sociability but decreased sociability in females. These complicated findings may be due to the effects of inoculation, which describes how moderate stress combined with comfort may produce adaptation or immunity to stress and affect males and females differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane R McClafferty
- Radford University, Radford, VA, United States of America
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Dayna M Hayes
- Radford University, Radford, VA, United States of America
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Takahashi A. Toward understanding the neural mechanisms involved in early life stress-induced aggression: A Highlight for "Maternal separation early in life induces excessive activity of the central amygdala related to abnormal aggression". J Neurochem 2024; 168:957-960. [PMID: 38413201 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16050] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress, such as childhood abuse and neglect, is one of the major risk factors for the development of antisocial behavior. In rat models, repeated maternal separation (MS) stress, in which the pups are separated from the dams for a few hours each day during the first 2-3 weeks of life, increases aggressive behavior in adult males. This Editorial highlights an article in the current issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry that demonstrates the involvement of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in the escalation of aggressive behavior in the MS model. The authors show that MS rats exhibit higher c-Fos expression in the CeA during an aggressive encounter compared to non-isolated control rats. Unexpectedly, other amygdala subnuclei did not show differential activation between MS and control groups. Using optogenetics, they provide direct evidence that activation of CeA neurons increases intermale aggressive behavior and that bilateral CeA activation shifts behavioral patterns toward more qualitatively intense aggressive behavior than unilateral CeA activation. These findings highlight the important role of the CeA in the development of abnormal aggression and indicate that this region may be an important therapeutic target for human aggression induced by early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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Mustika D, Nishimura Y, Ueno S, Tominaga S, Shimizu T, Tajiri N, Jung CG, Hida H. Central amygdala is related to the reduction of aggressive behavior by monosodium glutamate ingestion during the period of development in an ADHD model rat. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1356189. [PMID: 38765817 PMCID: PMC11099272 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1356189] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an umami substance, stimulates the gut-brain axis communication via gut umami receptors and the subsequent vagus nerves. However, the brain mechanism underlying the effect of MSG ingestion during the developmental period on aggression has not yet been clarified. We first tried to establish new experimental conditions to be more appropriate for detailed analysis of the brain, and then investigated the effects of MSG ingestion on aggressive behavior during the developmental stage of an ADHD rat model. Methods Long-Evans, WKY/Izm, SHR/Izm, and SHR-SP/Ezo were individually housed from postnatal day 25 for 5 weeks. Post-weaning social isolation (PWSI) was given to escalate aggressive behavior. The resident-intruder test, that is conducted during the subjective night, was used for a detailed analysis of aggression, including the frequency, duration, and latency of anogenital sniffing, aggressive grooming, and attack behavior. Immunohistochemistry of c-Fos expression was conducted in all strains to predict potential aggression-related brain areas. Finally, the most aggressive strain, SHR/Izm, a known model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was used to investigate the effect of MSG ingestion (60 mM solution) on aggression, followed by c-Fos immunostaining in aggression-related areas. Bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy was performed to verify the importance of gut-brain interactions in the effect of MSG. Results The resident intruder test revealed that SHR/Izm rats were the most aggressive among the four strains for all aggression parameters tested. SHR/Izm rats also showed the highest number of c-Fos + cells in aggression-related brain areas, including the central amygdala (CeA). MSG ingestion significantly decreased the frequency and duration of aggressive grooming and attack behavior and increased the latency of attack behavior. Furthermore, MSG administration successfully increased c-Fos positive cell number in the intermediate nucleus of the solitary tract (iNTS), a terminal of the gastrointestinal sensory afferent fiber of the vagus nerve, and modulated c-Fos positive cells in the CeA. Interestingly, vagotomy diminished the MSG effects on aggression and c-Fos expression in the iNTS and CeA. Conclusion MSG ingestion decreased PWSI-induced aggression in SHR/Izm, which was mediated by the vagus nerve related to the stimulation of iNTS and modulation of CeA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewi Mustika
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Yu Nishimura
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinya Ueno
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shiori Tominaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shimizu
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Shokei University Junior College, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Tajiri
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Cha-Gyun Jung
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Hida
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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Carballo LH, Li P, Senek R, Yan Z. Systemic histone deacetylase inhibition ameliorates the aberrant responses to acute stress in socially isolated male mice. J Physiol 2024; 602:2047-2060. [PMID: 38500302 PMCID: PMC11068487 DOI: 10.1113/jp285875] [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: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Adverse experiences in early life can induce maladaptive responses to acute stress in later life. Chronic social isolation during adolescence is an early life adversity that can precipitate stress-related psychiatric disorders. We found that male mice after 8 weeks of adolescent social isolation (SI) have markedly increased aggression after being exposed to 2 h of restraint stress (RS), which was accompanied by a significant increase of AMPA receptor- and NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in prefrontal cortex (PFC) pyramidal neurons of SIRS males. Compared to group-housed counterparts, SIRS males exhibited a significantly decreased level of histone H3 acetylation in PFC. Systemic administration of class I histone deacetylase inhibitors, romidepsin or MS-275, ameliorated the aggressive behaviour, as well as general social interaction deficits, of SIRS males. Electrophysiological recordings also found normalization of PFC glutamatergic currents by romidepsin treatment of SIRS male mice. These results revealed an epigenetic mechanism and intervention avenue for aggression induced by chronic social isolation. KEY POINTS: Adolescent chronic social isolation can precipitate stress-related psychiatric disorders. A significant increase of glutamatergic transmission is found in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of socially isolated male mice exposed to an acute stress (SIRS). Treatment with class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors ameliorates the aggressive behaviour and social interaction deficits of SIRS males, and normalizes glutamatergic currents in PFC neurons. It provides an epigenetic mechanism and intervention avenue for aberrant stress responses induced by chronic social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Hernandez Carballo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Pei Li
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Rachel Senek
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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Jeon D, Kim S, Lee SK, Chu K. Chronic social stress in early life can predispose mice to antisocial maltreating behavior. ENCEPHALITIS 2024; 4:23-30. [PMID: 38444108 PMCID: PMC11007547 DOI: 10.47936/encephalitis.2023.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose In our previous study, we developed an assay system to evaluate antisocial maltreating behavior of conspecific mice using a perpetrator-victim paradigm. We also generated a mouse model for the maltreating behavior by mimicking child maltreatment or abuse. Here, we further investigate the antisocial behavior using anti-aggressive and antipsychotic drugs. Methods Model mice sequentially subjected to maternal separation (MS), social defeat (SD), and social isolation (SI) in that order (MS/SD/SI model) were subjected to a maltreating behavioral task. The MS/SD/SI mice were treated with oxytocin (OXY), clozapine (CLZ), haloperidol (HAL), and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for protein analysis. Results A substantial portion of the MS/SD/SI model mice (46% of males and 40% of females) showed a higher number of nose pokes than the control. OXY or 8-OH-DPAT treatment reduced the high number of nose pokes by the MS/SD/SI mice, whereas HAL increased it. CLZ did not affect the number of nose pokes by the MS/SD/SI mice. Interestingly, although the OXY level in the MS/SD/SI mice was similar to that in the control, the amount of OXY receptor was lower in the MS/SD/SI mice. The amount of 5-HT1A receptor was also decreased in the MS/SD/SI mice. Conclusion Chronic social stress in childhood might predispose a mouse to antisocial behavior. Our maltreating behavior assay system, including the MS/SD/SI model, is a good animal system for research on and drug screening for brain disorders associated with antisocial or psychotic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sangwoo Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Kun Lee
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kon Chu
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Ai H, Li M, Fang W, Wang X, Liu X, Wu L, Zhang B, Lu W. Disruption of Cdk5-GluN2B complex by a small interfering peptide attenuates social isolation-induced escalated intermale attack behavior and hippocampal oxidative stress in mice. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 210:54-64. [PMID: 37979890 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation has emerged as a significant issue during the COVID-19 pandemic that can adversely impact human mental health and potentially lead to pathological aggression. Given the lack of effective therapeutic interventions for aggressive behavior, alternative approaches are necessary. In this study, we utilized a genetic method combined with a pharmacological approach to identify and demonstrate the crucial role of Cdk5 in escalated intermale attack behavior induced by 2-week social isolation. Moreover, we developed a small peptide that effectively disrupts the interaction between Cdk5 and GluN2B, given the known involvement of this complex in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Administration of the peptide, either systemically or via intrahippocampal injection, significantly reduced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and attenuated intermale attack behavior induced by 2-week social isolation. These findings highlight the previously unknown role of the hippocampal Cdk5-GluN2B complex in social isolation-induced aggressive behavior in mice and propose the peptide as a promising therapeutic strategy for regulating attack behavior and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Ai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minghao Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiqing Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuemeng Wang
- Department of the First Clinical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Department of the First Clinical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Lihui Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, China.
| | - Wen Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
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Guimarães DM, Valério-Gomes B, Vianna-Barbosa RJ, Oliveira W, Neves GÂ, Tovar-Moll F, Lent R. Social isolation leads to mild social recognition impairment and losses in brain cellularity. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:2051-2066. [PMID: 37690044 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02705-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic social stress is a significant risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders, mainly major depressive disorder (MDD). In this way, patients with clinical depression may display many symptoms, including disrupted social behavior and anxiety. However, like many other psychiatric diseases, MDD has a very complex etiology and pathophysiology. Because social isolation is one of the multiple depression-inducing factors in humans, this study aims to understand better the link between social stress and MDD using an animal model based on social isolation after weaning, which is known to produce social stress in mice. We focused on cellular composition and white matter integrity to establish possible links with the abnormal social behavior that rodents isolated after weaning displayed in the three-chamber social approach and recognition tests. We used the isotropic fractionator method to assess brain cellularity, which allows us to robustly estimate the number of oligodendrocytes and neurons in dissected brain regions. In addition, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was employed to analyze white matter microstructure. Results have shown that post-weaning social isolation impairs social recognition and reduces the number of neurons and oligodendrocytes in important brain regions involved in social behavior, such as the anterior neocortex and the olfactory bulb. Despite the limitations of animal models of psychological traits, evidence suggests that behavioral impairments observed in patients might have similar biological underpinnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Menezes Guimarães
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
| | - Bruna Valério-Gomes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Washington Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilda Ângela Neves
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Lent
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- D'Or Institute of Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nikolaienko O, Klymenko M, Isaeva E. Consequences of adolescent social isolation on behavior and synaptic plasticity in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in male Wistar rats. Neurol Res 2023; 45:1152-1160. [PMID: 37698124 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2023.2257444] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social interaction at a young age plays a critical role in the normal maturation of the brain and neuroendocrine system. Deprivation of social contacts has been associated with numerous cognitive and emotional abnormalities. However, neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie these effects remain poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the effect of 4-6-week social isolation during the adolescent period on rat spatial memory and emotional responses and investigated synaptic plasticity in the dorsal (DH) and ventral hippocampus (VH), which are known to be differently involved in these behaviors. METHODS Male Wistar rats were housed individually or in groups of four for 4-6 weeks immediately after weaning. At the end of the isolation period, rats were subjected to behavioral testing or electrophysiological studies. Behavioral tests included behavioral excitability, sucrose preference, open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), Morris water maze (MWM), and Y-maze test. For plasticity experiments, long-term potentiation (LTP) in Schaffer collateral/СA1 synapses was induced using high-frequency stimulation (HFS) on transverse hippocampal slices. RESULTS Social isolation induced hyperexcitability, increased anxiety- and anhedonia-like behaviors, while no significant changes were observed in cognitive tasks. Electrophysiological recordings revealed enhanced short-term potentiation (STP) in the VH and suppressed LTP in the DH of isolated animals compared to group-housed controls. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that adolescent social isolation has distinct effects on synaptic plasticity in the VH and DH and leads to emotional dysregulation rather than impairments in cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Nikolaienko
- Department of Cellular Membranology, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Mariia Klymenko
- Department of Cellular Membranology, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Elena Isaeva
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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10
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Pokharel SS, Brown JL. Physiological plasticity in elephants: highly dynamic glucocorticoids in African and Asian elephants. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad088. [PMCID: PMC10673820 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Slowly reproducing and long-lived terrestrial mammals are often more at risk from challenges that influence fitness and survival. It is, therefore, important to understand how animals cope with such challenges and how coping mechanisms translate over generations and affect phenotypic plasticity. Rapidly escalating anthropogenic challenges may further diminish an animal’s ability to reinstate homeostasis. Research to advance insights on elephant stress physiology has predominantly focused on relative or comparative analyses of a major stress response marker, glucocorticoids (GCs), across different ecological, anthropogenic, and reproductive contexts. This paper presents an extensive review of published findings on Asian and African elephants from 1980 to 2023 (May) and reveals that stress responses, as measured by alterations in GCs in different sample matrices, often are highly dynamic and vary within and across individuals exposed to similar stimuli, and not always in a predictable fashion. Such dynamicity in physiological reactivity may be mediated by individual differences in personality traits or coping styles, ecological conditions, and technical factors that often are not considered in study designs. We describe probable causations under the ‘Physiological Dynamicity Model’, which considers context–experience–individuality effects. Highly variable adrenal responses may affect physiological plasticity with potential fitness and survival consequences. This review also addresses the significance of cautious interpretations of GCs data in the context of normal adaptive stress versus distress. We emphasize the need for long-term assessments of GCs that incorporate multiple markers of ‘stress’ and ‘well-being’ to decipher the probable fitness consequences of highly dynamic physiological adrenal responses in elephants. Ultimately, we propose that assessing GC responses to current and future challenges is one of the most valuable and informative conservation tools we have for guiding conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeeta Sharma Pokharel
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Janine L Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
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Parise LF, Joseph Burnett C, Russo SJ. Early life stress and altered social behaviors: A perspective across species. Neurosci Res 2023:S0168-0102(23)00200-6. [PMID: 37992997 PMCID: PMC11102940 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Childhood and adolescent affiliations guide how individuals engage in social relationships throughout their lifetime and adverse experiences can promote biological alterations that facilitate behavioral maladaptation. Indeed, childhood victims of abuse are more likely to be diagnosed with conduct or mood disorders which are both characterized by altered social engagement. A key domain particularly deserving of attention is aggressive behavior, a hallmark of many disorders characterized by deficits in reward processing. Animal models have been integral in identifying both the short- and long-term consequences of stress exposure and suggest that whether it is disruption to parental care or social isolation, chronic exposure to early life stress increases corticosterone, changes the expression of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, and facilitates structural alterations to the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, influencing how these brain regions communicate with other reward-related substrates. Herein, we describe how adverse early life experiences influence social behavioral outcomes across a wide range of species and highlight the long-term biological mechanisms that are most relevant to maladaptive aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyonna F Parise
- Icahn School of Medicine, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - C Joseph Burnett
- Icahn School of Medicine, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Icahn School of Medicine, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Rittschof CC, Denny AS. The Impacts of Early-Life Experience on Bee Phenotypes and Fitness. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:808-824. [PMID: 36881719 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Across diverse animal species, early-life experiences have lifelong impacts on a variety of traits. The scope of these impacts, their implications, and the mechanisms that drive these effects are central research foci for a variety of disciplines in biology, from ecology and evolution to molecular biology and neuroscience. Here, we review the role of early life in shaping adult phenotypes and fitness in bees, emphasizing the possibility that bees are ideal species to investigate variation in early-life experience and its consequences at both individual and population levels. Bee early life includes the larval and pupal stages, critical time periods during which factors like food availability, maternal care, and temperature set the phenotypic trajectory for an individual's lifetime. We discuss how some common traits impacted by these experiences, including development rate and adult body size, influence fitness at the individual level, with possible ramifications at the population level. Finally, we review ways in which human alterations to the landscape may impact bee populations through early-life effects. This review highlights aspects of bees' natural history and behavioral ecology that warrant further investigation with the goal of understanding how environmental disturbances threaten these vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare C Rittschof
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Amanda S Denny
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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13
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Strekalova T, Moskvin O, Jain AY, Gorbunov N, Gorlova A, Sadovnik D, Umriukhin A, Cespuglio R, Yu WS, Tse ACK, Kalueff AV, Lesch KP, Lim LW. Molecular signature of excessive female aggression: study of stressed mice with genetic inactivation of neuronal serotonin synthesis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:1113-1132. [PMID: 37542675 PMCID: PMC10460733 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02677-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Aggression is a complex social behavior, critically involving brain serotonin (5-HT) function. The neurobiology of female aggression remains elusive, while the incidence of its manifestations has been increasing. Yet, animal models of female aggression are scarce. We previously proposed a paradigm of female aggression in the context of gene x environment interaction where mice with partial genetic inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2+/- mice), a key enzyme of neuronal 5-HT synthesis, are subjected to predation stress resulting in pathological aggression. Using deep sequencing and the EBSeq method, we studied the transcriptomic signature of excessive aggression in the prefrontal cortex of female Tph2+/- mice subjected to rat exposure stress and food deprivation. Challenged mutants, but not other groups, displayed marked aggressive behaviors. We found 26 genes with altered expression in the opposite direction between stressed groups of both Tph2 genotypes. We identified several molecular markers, including Dgkh, Arfgef3, Kcnh7, Grin2a, Tenm1 and Epha6, implicated in neurodevelopmental deficits and psychiatric conditions featuring impaired cognition and emotional dysregulation. Moreover, while 17 regulons, including several relevant to neural plasticity and function, were significantly altered in stressed mutants, no alteration in regulons was detected in stressed wildtype mice. An interplay of the uncovered pathways likely mediates partial Tph2 inactivation in interaction with severe stress experience, thus resulting in excessive female aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Strekalova
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Oleg Moskvin
- Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Singapore Medical School, BluMaiden Biosciences, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aayushi Y Jain
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nikita Gorbunov
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Gorlova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria Sadovnik
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei Umriukhin
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Raymond Cespuglio
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Neuroscience Research Center of Lyon, Beliv Plateau, Claude-Bernard Lyon-1 University, Bron, France
| | - Wing Shan Yu
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anna Chung Kwan Tse
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Gryksa K, Schmidtner AK, Masís-Calvo M, Rodríguez-Villagra OA, Havasi A, Wirobski G, Maloumby R, Jägle H, Bosch OJ, Slattery DA, Neumann ID. Selective breeding of rats for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behaviour: A unique model for comorbid depression and social dysfunctions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105292. [PMID: 37353047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Animal models of selective breeding for extremes in emotionality are a strong experimental approach to model psychopathologies. They became indispensable in order to increase our understanding of neurobiological, genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, and environmental mechanisms contributing to anxiety disorders and their association with depressive symptoms or social deficits. In the present review, we extensively discuss Wistar rats selectively bred for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behaviour on the elevated plus-maze. After 30 years of breeding, we can confirm the prominent differences between HAB and LAB rats in trait anxiety, which are accompanied by consistent differences in depressive-like, social and cognitive behaviours. We can further confirm a single nucleotide polymorphism in the vasopressin promotor of HAB rats causative for neuropeptide overexpression, and show that low (or high) anxiety and fear levels are unlikely due to visual dysfunctions. Thus, HAB and LAB rats continue to exist as a reliable tool to study the multiple facets underlying the pathology of high trait anxiety and its comorbidity with depression-like behaviour and social dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gryksa
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Anna K Schmidtner
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Marianella Masís-Calvo
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Odir A Rodríguez-Villagra
- Centro de Investigación en Neurosciencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Andrea Havasi
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Gwendolyn Wirobski
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Rodrigue Maloumby
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Herbert Jägle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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15
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Ryakiotakis E, Fousfouka D, Stamatakis A. Maternal neglect alters reward-anticipatory behavior, social status stability, and reward circuit activation in adult male rats. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1201345. [PMID: 37521688 PMCID: PMC10375725 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1201345] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adverse early life experiences affect neuronal growth and maturation of reward circuits that modify behavior under reward predicting conditions. Previous studies demonstrate that rats undergoing denial of expected reward in the form of maternal contact (DER-animal model of maternal neglect) during early post-natal life developed anhedonia, aggressive play-fight behaviors and aberrant prefrontal cortex structure and neurochemistry. Although many studies revealed social deficiency following early-life stress most reports focus on individual animal tasks. Thus, attention needs to be given on the social effects during group tasks in animals afflicted by early life adversity. Methods To investigate the potential impact of the DER experience on the manifestation of behavioral responses induced by natural rewards, we evaluated: 1) naïve adult male sexual preference and performance, and 2) anticipatory behavior during a group 2-phase food anticipation learning task composed of a context-dependent and a cue-dependent learning period. Results DER rats efficiently spent time in the vicinity of and initiated sexual intercourse with receptive females suggesting an intact sexual reward motivation and consummation. Interestingly, during the context-dependent phase of food anticipation training DER rats displayed a modified exploratory activity and lower overall reward-context association. Moreover, during the cue-dependent phase DER rats displayed a mild deficit in context-reward association while increased cue-dependent locomotion. Additionally, DER rats displayed unstable food access priority following food presentation. These abnormal behaviours were accompanied by overactivation of the ventral prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, as assessed by pCREB levels. Conclusions/discussion Collectively, these data show that the neonatal DER experience resulted in adulthood in altered activation of the reward circuitry, interfered with the normal formation of context-reward associations, and disrupted normal reward access hierarchy formation. These findings provide additional evidence to the deleterious effects of early life adversity on reward system, social hierarchy formation, and brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermis Ryakiotakis
- Laboratory of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Fousfouka
- Laboratory of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- MSc Program in Molecular Biomedicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Stamatakis
- Laboratory of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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16
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Benz-Schwarzburg J, Wrage B. Caring animals and the ways we wrong them. BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY 2023; 38:25. [PMID: 37388763 PMCID: PMC10300179 DOI: 10.1007/s10539-023-09913-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Many nonhuman animals have the emotional capacities to form caring relationships that matter to them, and for their immediate welfare. Drawing from care ethics, we argue that these relationships also matter as objectively valuable states of affairs. They are part of what is good in this world. However, the value of care is precarious in human-animal interactions. Be it in farming, research, wildlife 'management', zoos, or pet-keeping, the prevention, disruption, manipulation, and instrumentalization of care in animals by humans is ubiquitous. We criticize a narrow conception of welfare that, in practice, tends to overlook non-experiential forms of harm that occur when we interfere with caring animals. Additionally, we point out wrongs against caring animals that are not just unaccounted for but denied by even an expansive welfare perspective: The instrumentalization of care and caring animals in systems of use can occur as a harmless wrong that an approach purely focused on welfare may, in fact, condone. We should therefore adopt an ethical perspective that goes beyond welfare in our dealings with caring animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birte Wrage
- Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Mikami K, Watanabe N, Tochio T, Kimoto K, Akama F, Yamamoto K. Impact of Gut Microbiota on Host Aggression: Potential Applications for Therapeutic Interventions Early in Development. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041008. [PMID: 37110431 PMCID: PMC10141163 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggression in the animal kingdom is a necessary component of life; however, certain forms of aggression, especially in humans, are pathological behaviors that are detrimental to society. Animal models have been used to study a number of factors, including brain morphology, neuropeptides, alcohol consumption, and early life circumstances, to unravel the mechanisms underlying aggression. These animal models have shown validity as experimental models. Moreover, recent studies using mouse, dog, hamster, and drosophila models have indicated that aggression may be affected by the "microbiota-gut-brain axis." Disturbing the gut microbiota of pregnant animals increases aggression in their offspring. In addition, behavioral analyses using germ-free mice have shown that manipulating the intestinal microbiota during early development suppresses aggression. These studies suggest that treating the host gut microbiota during early development is critical. However, few clinical studies have investigated gut-microbiota-targeted treatments with aggression as a primary endpoint. This review aims to clarify the effects of gut microbiota on aggression and discusses the therapeutic potential of regulating human aggression by intervening in gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsunaka Mikami
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Natsuru Watanabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takumi Tochio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Aichi, Japan
| | - Keitaro Kimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Akama
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Yamamoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan
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18
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Mancini GF, Meijer OC, Campolongo P. Stress in adolescence as a first hit in stress-related disease development: Timing and context are crucial. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101065. [PMID: 37001566 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The two-hit stress model predicts that exposure to stress at two different time-points in life may increase or decrease the risk of developing stress-related disorders later in life. Most studies based on the two-hit stress model have investigated early postnatal stress as the first hit with adult stress as the second hit. Adolescence, however, represents another highly sensitive developmental window during which exposure to stressful events may affect programming outcomes following exposure to stress in adulthood. Here, we discuss the programming effects of different types of stressors (social and nonsocial) occurring during adolescence (first hit) and how such stressors affect the responsiveness toward an additional stressor occurring during adulthood (second hit) in rodents. We then provide a comprehensive overview of the potential mechanisms underlying interindividual and sex differences in the resilience/susceptibility to developing stress-related disorders later in life when stress is experienced in two different life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia F Mancini
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143 Rome, Italy.
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19
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Fang H, Li J, Lu L, Yang J, Feng H, Yin X, Wang S, He X, Song L, Shi Y, Gao Y, Shi H, Yin X. Long-lasting and sex-dependent effects of late lactational maternal deprivation on socioemotional behaviors in adult mice. Neurosci Lett 2023; 799:137096. [PMID: 36738955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The lactation period is an important period for individual development and a sensitive period for the behavioral phenotypes and plasticity of individual offspring. Early life experiences (e.g., maternal deprivation (MD) and neglect) have significant long-lasting and dual effects on individual stress reactivities during adulthood. Theoretically, stress inoculation can improve the adaptive capacity of the body, but overstress can lead to dysfunction when adaptive mechanisms fail.To date, the potential effects of late lactational MD on the socioemotional behaviors of mouse offspring during adulthood are still not fully understood. In the present study, mice were subjected to early deprivation by individually separating pups from their dam for 0 min, 15 min, and 3 h per day from PND 13-25. The social dominance test (SDT), social interaction test (SI), open field test (OFT), and forced swim test (FST) were carried out during adulthood. The results showed that the social dominance of male mice in the 15 min/d MD group significantly increased, especially in low-rank mice. In the 3 h/d MD group, the social dominance of female mice was decreased, especially in the lower-rank mice. The anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of the 15 min/d MD group were significantly increased in male mice. Our study provides direct evidence that MD during late lactation period results in long-lasting effects on social dominance as well as on anxiety and depression phenotypes in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlu Fang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Jiabo Li
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Liuhua Lu
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Hao Feng
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Xueyong Yin
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Xinyue He
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Li Song
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medical University, 050017, China
| | - Haishui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medical University, 050017, China.
| | - Xi Yin
- Department of Functional Region of Diagnosis, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China.
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20
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Familiarity, age, weaning and health status impact social proximity networks in dairy calves. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2275. [PMID: 36754990 PMCID: PMC9908884 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Social network analysis in dairy calves has not been widely studied, with previous studies limited by the short study duration, and low number of animals and replicates. In this study, we investigated social proximity interactions of 79 Holstein-Friesian calves from 5 cohorts for up to 76 days. Networks were computed using 4-day aggregated associations obtained from ultrawideband location sensor technology, at 1 Hz sampling rate. The effect of age, familiarity, health, and weaning status on the social proximity networks of dairy calves was assessed. Networks were poorly correlated (non-stable) between the different 4-day periods, in the majority of them calves associated heterogeneously, and individuals assorted based on previous familiarity for the whole duration of the study. Age significantly increased association strength, social time and eigenvector centrality and significantly decreased closeness and coefficient of variation in association (CV). Sick calves had a significantly lower strength, social time, centrality and CV, and significantly higher closeness compared to the healthy calves. During and after weaning, calves had significantly lower closeness and CV, and significantly higher association strength, social time, and eigenvector centrality. These results indicate that age, familiarity, weaning, and sickness have a significant impact on the variation of social proximity interaction of calves.
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21
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Meijer M, Franke B, Sandi C, Klein M. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation in externalizing behaviours: A review and combined analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 145:104997. [PMID: 36566803 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) is one of the most frequently studied epigenetic mechanisms facilitating the interplay of genomic and environmental factors, which can contribute to externalizing behaviours and related psychiatric disorders. Previous epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) for externalizing behaviours have been limited in sample size, and, therefore, candidate genes and biomarkers with robust evidence are still lacking. We 1) performed a systematic literature review of EWAS of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)- and aggression-related behaviours conducted in peripheral tissue and cord blood and 2) combined the most strongly associated DNAm sites observed in individual studies (p < 10-3) to identify candidate genes and biological systems for ADHD and aggressive behaviours. We observed enrichment for neuronal processes and neuronal cell marker genes for ADHD. Astrocyte and granulocytes cell markers among genes annotated to DNAm sites were relevant for both ADHD and aggression-related behaviours. Only 1 % of the most significant epigenetic findings for ADHD/ADHD symptoms were likely to be directly explained by genetic factors involved in ADHD. Finally, we discuss how the field would greatly benefit from larger sample sizes and harmonization of assessment instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Meijer
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Behavioural Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioural Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marieke Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA.
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22
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Russo C, Senese VP. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy is a useful tool for multi-perspective psychobiological study of neurophysiological correlates of parenting behaviour. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:258-284. [PMID: 36485015 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15890] [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: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The quality of the relationship between caregiver and child has long-term effects on the cognitive and socio-emotional development of children. A process involved in human parenting is the bio-behavioural synchrony that occurs between the partners in the relationship during interaction. Through interaction, bio-behavioural synchronicity allows the adaptation of the physiological systems of the parent to those of the child and promotes the positive development and modelling of the child's social brain. The role of bio-behavioural synchrony in building social bonds could be investigated using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). In this paper we have (a) highlighted the importance of the quality of the caregiver-child relationship for the child's cognitive and socio-emotional development, as well as the relevance of infantile stimuli in the activation of parenting behaviour; (b) discussed the tools used in the study of the neurophysiological substrates of the parental response; (c) proposed fNIRS as a particularly suitable tool for the study of parental responses; and (d) underlined the need for a multi-systemic psychobiological approach to understand the mechanisms that regulate caregiver-child interactions and their bio-behavioural synchrony. We propose to adopt a multi-system psychobiological approach to the study of parental behaviour and social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Russo
- Psychometric Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Paolo Senese
- Psychometric Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
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23
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Jeon D, Kim S, Choi J, Yang AR, Lee SK, Chu K. Chronic social stress during early development is involved in antisocial maltreatment behavior in mice. ENCEPHALITIS 2022; 2:98-107. [PMID: 37469995 PMCID: PMC10295919 DOI: 10.47936/encephalitis.2022.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Early-life stress can cause brain inflammation and affect social behavior in adulthood. In humans, maltreated (abused or neglected) children often exhibit antisocial behavior, including violent and sadistic behavior, in adulthood. However, it is unknown whether maltreatment behavior occurs in rodents. Here, we developed an assay system to evaluate conspecific maltreatment behavior in the mouse. Methods To assess maltreatment behavior, we devised a two-chamber apparatus separated by a transparent partition, in which one chamber was provided with a nose-poking hole that would trigger foot shocks onto the other. Lidocaine was used to inhibit neural activity in vivo. Brain oscillations were investigated by electroencephalograph. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for protein assay. The mouse model was sequentially subjected to maternal separation (MS), social defeat (SD), and social isolation (SI) in that order (MS/SD/SI model). Results Inactivation of the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex increased the level of nose-poking. Maltreatment behavior provoked changes in oxytocin, corticosterone, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. MS/SD/SI mice exhibited more sustained nose-poking behavior during the experiment, resulting in increased foot shocks to the mouse in the opposite chamber. Abnormal brain oscillations were observed in the MS/SD/SI mice. Conclusion The MS/SD/SI model and maltreatment-behavior assay may be useful not only to study the relationship between social stress in childhood and antisocial behavior in adulthood, but also for study of etiology, pathology, or treatment for brain disorders, such as psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sangwoo Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiye Choi
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ah Reum Yang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Kun Lee
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kon Chu
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Schnider M, Jenni R, Ramain J, Camporesi S, Golay P, Alameda L, Conus P, Do KQ, Steullet P. Time of exposure to social defeat stress during childhood and adolescence and redox dysregulation on long-lasting behavioral changes, a translational study. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:413. [PMID: 36163247 PMCID: PMC9512907 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02183-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic events during childhood/early adolescence can cause long-lasting physiological and behavioral changes with increasing risk for psychiatric conditions including psychosis. Genetic factors and trauma (and their type, degree of repetition, time of occurrence) are believed to influence how traumatic experiences affect an individual. Here, we compared long-lasting behavioral effects of repeated social defeat stress (SD) applied during either peripuberty or late adolescence in adult male WT and Gclm-KO mice, a model of redox dysregulation relevant to schizophrenia. As SD disrupts redox homeostasis and causes oxidative stress, we hypothesized that KO mice would be particularly vulnerable to such stress. We first found that peripubertal and late adolescent SD led to different behavioral outcomes. Peripubertal SD induced anxiety-like behavior in anxiogenic environments, potentiated startle reflex, and increased sensitivity to the NMDA-receptor antagonist, MK-801. In contrast, late adolescent SD led to increased exploration in novel environments. Second, the long-lasting impact of peripubertal but not late adolescent SD differed in KO and WT mice. Peripubertal SD increased anxiety-like behavior in anxiogenic environments and MK-801-sensitivity mostly in KO mice, while it increased startle reflex in WT mice. These suggest that a redox dysregulation during peripuberty interacts with SD to remodel the trajectory of brain maturation, but does not play a significant role during later SD. As peripubertal SD induced persisting anxiety- and fear-related behaviors in male mice, we then investigated anxiety in a cohort of 89 early psychosis male patients for whom we had information about past abuse and clinical assessment during the first year of psychosis. We found that a first exposure to physical/sexual abuse (analogous to SD) before age 12, but not after, was associated with higher anxiety at 6-12 months after psychosis onset. This supports that childhood/peripuberty is a vulnerable period during which physical/sexual abuse in males has wide and long-lasting consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Schnider
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raoul Jenni
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julie Ramain
- Service of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Camporesi
- Service of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Golay
- Service of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luis Alameda
- Service of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Conus
- Service of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kim Q Do
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Steullet
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1008, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.
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25
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Dantzer B, Newman AEM. Expanding the frame around social dynamics and glucocorticoids: From hierarchies within the nest to competitive interactions among species. Horm Behav 2022; 144:105204. [PMID: 35689971 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The effect of the social environment on individual state or condition has largely focused on glucocorticoid levels (GCs). As metabolic hormones whose production can be influenced by nutritional, physical, or psychosocial stressors, GCs are a valuable (though singular) measure that may reflect the degree of "stress" experienced by an individual. Most work to date has focused on how social rank influences GCs in group-living species or how predation risk influences GCs in prey. This work has been revealing, but a more comprehensive assessment of the social environment is needed to fully understand how different features of the social environment influence GCs in both group living and non-group living species and across life history stages. Just as there can be intense within-group competition among adult conspecifics, it bears appreciating there can also be competition among siblings from the same brood, among adult conspecifics that do not live in groups, or among heterospecifics. In these situations, dominance hierarchies typically emerge, albeit, do dominants or subordinate individuals or species have higher GCs? We examine the degree of support for hypotheses derived from group-living species about whether differential GCs between dominants and subordinates reflect the "stress of subordination" or "costs of dominance" in these other social contexts. By doing so, we aim to test the generality of these two hypotheses and propose new research directions to broaden the lens that focuses on social hierarchies and GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Dantzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 48109 Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Amy E M Newman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
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Takahashi A. The role of social isolation stress in escalated aggression in rodent models. Neurosci Res 2022:S0168-0102(22)00212-7. [PMID: 35917930 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Anti-social behavior and violence are major public health concerns. Globally, violence contributes to more than 1.6 million deaths each year. Previous studies have reported that social rejection or neglect exacerbates aggression. In rodent models, social isolation stress is used to demonstrate the adverse effects of social deprivation on physiological, endocrinological, immunological, and behavioral parameters, including aggressive behavior. This review summarizes recent rodent studies on the effect of social isolation stress during different developmental periods on aggressive behavior and the underlying neural mechanisms. Social isolation during adulthood affects the levels of neurosteroids and neuropeptides and increases aggressive behavior. These changes are ethologically relevant for the adaptation to changes in local environmental conditions in the natural habitats. Chronic deprivation of social interaction after weaning, especially during the juvenile to adolescent periods, leads to the disruption of the development of appropriate social behavior and the maladaptive escalation of aggressive behavior. The understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying social isolation-induced escalated aggression will aid in the development of therapeutic interventions for escalated aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
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27
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Abstract
The effects of glucocorticoids on aggression can be conceptualized based on its mechanisms of action. These hormones can affect cell function non-genomically within minutes, primarily by affecting the cell membrane. Overall, such effects are activating and promote both metabolic preparations for the fight and aggressive behavior per se. Chronic increases in glucocorticoids activate genomic mechanisms and are depressing overall, including the inhibition of aggressive behavior. Finally, excessive stressors trigger epigenetic phenomena that have a large impact on brain programming and may also induce the reprogramming of neural functions. These induce qualitative changes in aggression that are deemed abnormal in animals, and psychopathological and criminal in humans. This review aims at deciphering the roles of glucocorticoids in aggression control by taking in view the three mechanisms of action often categorized as acute, chronic, and toxic stress based on the duration and the consequences of the stress response. It is argued that the tripartite way of influencing aggression can be recognized in all three animal, psychopathological, and criminal aggression and constitute a framework of mechanisms by which aggressive behavior adapts to short-term and log-term changes in the environment.
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Watanabe T, Iba H, Moriyama H, Kubota K, Katsurabayashi S, Iwasaki K. Sansoninto attenuates aggressive behavior and increases levels of homovanillic acid, a dopamine metabolite, in social isolation-reared mice. J Tradit Complement Med 2022; 12:243-249. [PMID: 35493307 PMCID: PMC9039115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Early-life stress is thought to affect aggressive behavior in humans and rodents. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that Sansoninto (SST; suān zǎo rén tāng), a traditional herbal medicine, attenuates stress-induced abnormal behavior in rodents. However, it is unknown whether SST attenuates stress-induced aggressive behavior. The current study examined the effects of SST on aggressive behavior of mice who suffered from social isolation (SI) stress in adolescence. Experimental procedure Five-week old mice were socially isolated for 6 weeks, and SST administration was started at 4 weeks after starting SI. Aggressive behavior and locomotor activity were examined in SST-treated mice. The content of dopamine and its metabolites in the hypothalamus were examined using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Gene expression analyses of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamus were performed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results and conclusion SST attenuated SI-induced aggressive behavior and increased levels of homovanillic acid, a metabolite of dopamine. However, SST did not affect dopamine levels. SI enhanced locomotion in a novel environment and increased COMT mRNA levels. In contrast, SST-treated mice showed no significant enhancement of locomotion. SST attenuated the increase in COMT mRNA levels. Given that the dopaminergic system has been implicated in aggressive behavior, these findings suggest that SST toned down dopaminergic signaling, resulting in amelioration of aggression. SST may be useful for treatment of aggressive behavior in patients with neurotic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Watanabe
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
- A.I.G. Collaborative Research Institute for Aging and Brain Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Hikari Iba
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Moriyama
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Kaori Kubota
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
- A.I.G. Collaborative Research Institute for Aging and Brain Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Shutaro Katsurabayashi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Katsunori Iwasaki
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
- A.I.G. Collaborative Research Institute for Aging and Brain Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
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Social Information-Processing in Children with Adverse Experiences. TRAUMA CARE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/traumacare2020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of childhood adversity has been highlighted in the literature, given its relevance and impact on child development. According to the adaptation-based approach, children who develop in adverse environments adapt cognitively and behaviorally to them. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible relationships between adverse experiences and social information processes of threat detection behaviors and hostile attribution bias, in school-aged children. To this end, a non-probabilistic sample of 67 children from 7 to 10 years of age was constituted. We developed three instruments to assess: (1) adverse experiences, (2) threat detection behaviors, and (3) hostile attribution bias. Results reveal that adverse experiences are significantly correlated with and predict threat detection behaviors. However, children with more adverse experiences do not demonstrate a higher hostile attribution bias. This study contributes to the knowledge about how adverse experiences are related to children’s social information-processing and functioning, which can have implications for the elaboration of intervention programs.
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Jeon D, Choi J, Yang AR, Yoo JS, Kim S, Lee SK, Chu K. Chronic social stress during early development elicits unique behavioral changes in adulthood. ENCEPHALITIS 2022; 2:45-53. [PMID: 37469652 PMCID: PMC10295912 DOI: 10.47936/encephalitis.2021.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Chronic social stress is known to induce inflammation in the brain, and early-life stress affects the brain and social behavior in adulthood. To study the relationship between social stress in childhood development and social behavior in adulthood, we subjected mice to a sequential early-life social stresses and characterized their adult behavioral phenotypes. Methods C57BL/6 mice were sequentially subjected to maternal separation (MS), social defeat (SD), and social isolation (SI) in that order. The body weights of the MS/SD/SI mice were measured. Behavioral tasks related to anxiety, depression, locomotion, learning/memory, and repetitive/compulsive-like behavior were conducted. Social behaviors suggesting sociability, social interaction, aggression, and social fear were investigated. Results MS/SD/SI mice weighed less than the control mice. At 7 and 8 weeks of age. These mice displayed normal behaviors in anxiety-, depression-, and learning/memory-related tasks, but they exhibited increased locomotor activity and a low level of repetitive/compulsive-like behavior. Notably, they exhibited increased social interaction, impaired empathy-related fear, reduced predator fear, and increased defensive aggressiveness. Conclusion Social stress during childhood development resulted in behavioral alterations, and MS/SD/SI mice generated by mimicking child abuse or maltreatment showed unique abnormalities in social behaviors. MS/SD/SI mice might be useful not only to study the relationship between social stress and brain inflammation but also psychosocial behaviors observed in individuals with brain disorders, such as psychopaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiye Choi
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ah Reum Yang
- Laboratory for Neurotherapeutics, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Seok Yoo
- Laboratory for Neurotherapeutics, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sangwoo Kim
- Laboratory for Neurotherapeutics, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Kun Lee
- Laboratory for Neurotherapeutics, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kon Chu
- Laboratory for Neurotherapeutics, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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31
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Patterson SK, Strum SC, Silk JB. Early life adversity has long-term effects on sociality and interaction style in female baboons. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212244. [PMID: 35105243 PMCID: PMC8808103 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2244] [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] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Social bonds enhance fitness in many group-living animals, generating interest in the processes that create individual variation in sociality. Previous work on female baboons shows that early life adversity and temperament both influence social connectedness in adulthood. Early life adversity might shape sociality by reducing ability to invest in social relationships or through effects on attractiveness as a social partner. We examine how females' early life adversity predicts sociality and temperament in wild olive baboons, and evaluate whether temperament mediates the relationship between early life adversity and sociality. We use behavioural data on 31 females to quantify sociality. We measure interaction style as the tendency to produce grunts (signals of benign intent) in contexts in which the vocalization does not produce immediate benefits to the actor. Early life adversity was negatively correlated with overall sociality, but was a stronger predictor of social behaviours received than behaviours initiated. Females who experienced less early life adversity had more benign interaction styles and benign interaction styles were associated with receiving more social behaviours. Interaction style may partially mediate the association between early life adversity and sociality. These analyses add to our growing understanding of the processes connecting early life experiences to adult sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam K. Patterson
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shirley C. Strum
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA,Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joan B. Silk
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA,Institute for Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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32
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Fóscolo DRC, Lima PMA, Rodovalho GV, Coimbra CC. Early maternal separation alters the activation of stress-responsive brain areas in adulthood. Neurosci Lett 2022; 771:136464. [PMID: 35051433 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The expression of c-Fos protein has been extensively used as a marker of neuronal activation in response to stressful stimuli. Early maternal separation (MS) is a model of early life adversity that affects the responsiveness of the brain areas to stressors. Thus, this study examined the impact of early MS on activating stress-responsive areas in the brain of adult rats in response to physical (ether) or psychological (restraint) stressors. Male pups were divided for the MS or non-handled (NH) groups. The MS was carried out daily between the 2nd and 14th day of postnatal life and consisted in removing the dams from the cage for 180 min. The rats were then subjected to experimental protocols of restraint or ether exposure at 10-12 weeks old. The rats were anesthetized 90 min after exposure to the stressors, and their brains were prepared for immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos immunoreactive (c-Fos-ir) neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), supraoptic nucleus (SON), medial preoptic area (MPA), medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA), locus coeruleus (LC), and nucleus of the solitary tract (NST). The MS-group presented 86%, 125%, 73%, 56%, and 137% higher c-Fos-ir neurons in the LC, PVN, SON, MPA, and MeA, respectively, compared to NH-group in response to the restraint stressor. In addition, the MS-group presented 180%, 137%, 170%, and 138% higher c-Fos-ir neurons for the ether exposure in the LC, PVN, MPA, and MeA, respectively. Our results show a greater increase in neuronal activation in the MS group, indicating that early life adversity can induce reprogramming in the brain response to stress in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela R C Fóscolo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo M A Lima
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Rio Verde - Campus Aparecida, Aparecida de Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - Gisele V Rodovalho
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cândido C Coimbra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Oliveira VEDM, Bakker J. Neuroendocrine regulation of female aggression. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:957114. [PMID: 36034455 PMCID: PMC9399833 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.957114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Classically the neurobiology of aggression has been studied exclusively in males. Thus, females have been considered mildly aggressive except during lactation. Interestingly, recent studies in rodents and humans have revealed that non-lactating females can show exacerbated and pathological aggression similarly to males. This review provides an overview of recent findings on the neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating aggressive behavior in females. In particular, the focus will be on novel rodent models of exaggerated aggression established in non-lactating females. Among the neuromodulatory systems influencing female aggression, special attention has been given to sex-steroids and sex-steroid-sensitive neuronal populations (i.e., the core nuclei of the neural pathway of aggression) as well as to the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin which are major players in the regulation of social behaviors.
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34
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Gryksa K, Neumann ID. Consequences of pandemic-associated social restrictions: Role of social support and the oxytocin system. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105601. [PMID: 34837776 PMCID: PMC8605825 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During pandemics, governments take drastic actions to prevent the spreading of the disease, as seen during the present COVID-19 crisis. Sanctions of lockdown, social distancing and quarantine urge people to exclusively work and teach at home and to restrict social contacts to a minimum; lonely people get into further isolation, while families` nerves are strained to the extreme. Overall, this results in a dramatic and chronic increase in the level of psychosocial stress over several months mainly caused by i) social isolation and ii) psychosocial stress associated with overcrowding, social tension in families, and domestic violence. Moreover, pandemic-associated social restrictions are accompanied by loss of an essential stress buffer and important parameter for general mental and physical health: social support. Chronic psychosocial stress and, in particular, social isolation and lack of social support affect not only mental health, but also the brain oxytocin system and the immune system. Hence, pandemic-associated social restrictions are expected to increase the risk of developing psychopathologies, such as depression, anxiety-related and posttraumatic stress disorders, on the one hand, but also to induce a general inflammatory state and to impair the course of infectious disorders on the other. Due to its pro-social and stress-buffering effects, resulting in an anti-inflammatory state in case of disease, the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin will be discussed and critically considered as an emerging treatment option in cases of pandemic-induced psychosocial stress, viral infection and during recovery. In this review, we aim to critically focus on possible short- and long-term consequences of social restrictions on mental health and the immune system, while discussion oxytocin as a possible treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gryksa
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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35
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Malti T, Speidel R. Prosocial cascades: Understanding and nurturing the potential for positive developmental trajectories. ADVANCES IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 64:189-216. [PMID: 37080669 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acdb.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the developmental cycles and mechanisms that nurture prosocial behavior can support our potential to build a kinder and more peaceful society. The current chapter explores positive developmental cascades, with a focus on the chain reactions that explain how prosocial behaviors manifest and evolve throughout childhood and adolescence. Specifically, we review the main issues, theories, and findings related to the study of children's prosocial trajectories. We focus on various socialization environments that span typical and adverse (e.g., trauma, poverty, maltreatment, exposure to violence) contexts. Furthermore, we highlight the evidence behind efforts and initiatives that aim to nurture prosociality in children and families. We conclude with future directions for how research on positive cascades can inform research-practice alliances work that aims to break harmful cycles and promote prosocial mechanisms of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Malti
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Zutshi I, Gupta S, Zanoletti O, Sandi C, Poirier GL. Early life adoption shows rearing environment supersedes transgenerational effects of paternal stress on aggressive temperament in the offspring. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:533. [PMID: 34657124 PMCID: PMC8520526 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01659-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal experience and transgenerational influences are increasingly recognized as critical for defining the socio-emotional system, through the development of social competences and of their underlying neural circuitries. Here, we used an established rat model of social stress resulting from male partner aggression induced by peripubertal (P28-42) exposure to unpredictable fearful experiences. Using this model, we aimed to first, characterize adult emotionality in terms of the breadth of the socio-emotional symptoms and second, to determine the relative impact of prenatal vs postnatal influences. For this purpose, male offspring of pairs comprising a control or a peripubertally stressed male were cross-fostered at birth and tested at adulthood on a series of socio-emotional tests. In the offspring of peripubertally stressed males, the expected antisocial phenotype was observed, as manifested by increased aggression towards a female partner and a threatening intruder, accompanied by lower sociability. This negative outcome was yet accompanied by better social memory as well as enhanced active coping, based on more swimming and longer latency to immobility in the forced swim test, and less immobility in the shock probe test. Furthermore, the cross-fostering manipulation revealed that these adult behaviors were largely influenced by the post- but not the prenatal environment, an observation contrasting with both pre- and postnatal effects on attacks during juvenile play behavior. Adult aggression, other active coping behaviors, and social memory were determined by the predominance at this developmental stage of postnatal over prenatal influences. Together, our data highlight the relative persistence of early life influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipshita Zutshi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Institute and Department of Neurology, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sonakshi Gupta
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Pharmacy Department, Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Guillaume L Poirier
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Takahashi A. Social Stress and Aggression in Murine Models. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 54:181-208. [PMID: 34432257 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Throughout life, animals engage in a variety of social interactions ranging from the affiliative mother-offspring interaction and juvenile play to aggressive conflict. Deprivation of the appropriate social interaction during early development is stressful and disrupts the development of appropriate social behaviors and emotional responses later in life. Additionally, agonistic encounters can induce stress responses in both dominant and subordinate individuals. This review focuses on the social stress that escalates aggressive behavior of animals and discusses the known neurobiological and physiological mechanisms underlying the link between social stress and aggression. Social instigation, a brief exposure to a rival without physical contact, induces aggressive arousal in dominant animals and escalates aggressive behaviors in the following agonistic encounter. Furthermore, the experience of winning an aggressive encounter is known to be as rewarding as addictive drugs, and the experience of repeatedly winning induces addiction-like behavioral and neurobiological changes and leads to abnormal aggressive behaviors. Social isolation stress in early development from neonatal to juvenile and adolescent periods also affects aggressive behavior, but these effects largely depend on the strain, sex, and species as well as the stage of development in which isolation stress is experienced. In conclusion, understanding neurobiological mechanisms underlying the link between social stress and aggression will provide an important insight for the development of more effective and tolerable treatments for maladaptive aggression in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
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Shimizu T, Shimizu S, Higashi Y, Saito M. Psychological/mental stress-induced effects on urinary function: Possible brain molecules related to psychological/mental stress-induced effects on urinary function. Int J Urol 2021; 28:1093-1104. [PMID: 34387005 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to psychological/mental stress can affect urinary function, and lead to and exacerbate lower urinary tract dysfunctions. There is increasing evidence showing stress-induced changes not only at phenomenological levels in micturition, but also at multiple levels, lower urinary tract tissues, and peripheral and central nervous systems. The brain plays crucial roles in the regulation of the body's responses to stress; however, it is still unclear how the brain integrates stress-related information to induce changes at these multiple levels, thereby affecting urinary function and lower urinary tract dysfunctions. In this review, we introduce recent urological studies investigating the effects of stress exposure on urinary function and lower urinary tract dysfunctions, and our recent studies exploring "pro-micturition" and "anti-micturition" brain molecules related to stress responses. Based on evidence from these studies, we discuss the future directions of central neurourological research investigating how stress exposure-induced changes at peripheral and central levels affect urinary function and lower urinary tract dysfunctions. Brain molecules that we explored might be entry points into dissecting the stress-mediated process for modulating micturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Shimizu
- Department of Pharmacology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Shogo Shimizu
- Department of Pharmacology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Youichirou Higashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Motoaki Saito
- Department of Pharmacology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
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Fang W, Wang X, Cai M, Liu X, Wang X, Lu W. Targeting GluN2B/NO Pathway Ameliorates Social Isolation-Induced Exacerbated Attack Behavior in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:700003. [PMID: 34335265 PMCID: PMC8322622 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.700003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exacerbated attack behavior has a profound socioeconomic impact and devastating social consequences; however, there is no satisfactory clinical management available for an escalated attack behavior. Social isolation (SI) is widespread during this pandemic and may exert detrimental effects on mental health, such as causing heightened attack behavior. To explore the therapeutic approaches that alleviate the SI-induced heightened attack behavior, we utilized pharmacological methods targeting the GluN2B/NO signaling pathway during the attack behavior. Ifenprodil and TAT-9C peptide targeting GluN2B showed that the inhibition of GluN2B mitigated the SI-induced escalated attack behavior and the SI-induced aberrant nitric oxide (NO) level in the brain. Additionally, the potentiation of the NO level by L-arginine reversed the effects of the inhibition of GluN2B. Moreover, we showed that high doses of L-NAME and 7-NI and subeffective doses of L-NAME in combination with ifenprodil or TAT-9C or subeffective doses of 7-NI plus ifenprodil or TAT-9C all decreased the SI-induced escalated attack behavior and reduced the NO level, further supporting the idea that GluN2B/NO signaling is a crucial modulator of the escalated attack behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqing Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miao Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xuemeng Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Wen Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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Igarashi K, Kuchiiwa T, Kuchiiwa S, Iwai H, Tomita K, Sato T. Kamishoyosan (a Japanese traditional herbal formula), which effectively reduces the aggressive biting behavior of male and female mice, and potential regulation through increase of Tph1, Tph2, and Esr2 mRNA levels. Brain Res 2021; 1768:147580. [PMID: 34260963 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Kamishoyosan (KSS), a Japanese traditional herbal formula, is used to treat symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system in men and women; it is especially known for improving the symptoms of irritability (e.g., bad temper and persistent anger). Although clinical and ethological studies of KSS have been conducted, its efficacy in reducing irritability remains to be validated. In the present study, male and female ddY-strain mice were isolation-reared for 8 weeks (from the third postnatal week) to induce pathologically aggressive biting behavior (ABB), which was used as an indicator of irritability. The ABB of mice toward metal rods was measured using the Aggressive Response Meter. An intraperitoneal administration of KSS (100 mg/kg) effectively reduced ABB in male and female mice at 2 h after the administration; however, this effect was canceled by prior administration of WAY-100635 [a 5-hydroxytryptoamine (5-HT)-1A receptor antagonist; 0.5 mg/kg] and bicuculline (a type-A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor antagonist; 1.0 mg/kg). Additionally, tamoxifen, ICI-182780, and G-15 (all estrogen receptor antagonists) inhibited the action of KSS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, gene expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph) 1 and Tph2 were increased and 5-HT immunofluorescence was slightly increased in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of isolation-reared mice administered with KSS. Collectively, these results indicate that KSS effectively reduces ABB in isolation-reared male and female mice through stimulation of 5-HT production in the DRN. Our findings also suggest that gene expression of estrogen receptor (Esr) 2 increased in the DRN might be associated with the reduction of ABB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kento Igarashi
- Department of Applied Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Toshiko Kuchiiwa
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Human Science, Kagoshima Immaculate Herat University, 2365 Amatatsu-Cho, Satsuma-Sendai 895-0011, Japan; Department of Morphological Science, Field of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuchiiwa
- Department of Morphological Science, Field of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Haruki Iwai
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tomita
- Department of Applied Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Sato
- Department of Applied Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan.
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Richter-Levin G, Sandi C. Title: "Labels Matter: Is it stress or is it Trauma?". Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:385. [PMID: 34247187 PMCID: PMC8272714 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01514-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In neuroscience, the term 'Stress' has a negative connotation because of its potential to trigger or exacerbate psychopathologies. Yet in the face of exposure to stress, the more common reaction to stress is resilience, indicating that resilience is the rule and stress-related pathology the exception. This is critical because neural mechanisms associated with stress-related psychopathology are expected to differ significantly from those associated with resilience.Research labels and terminology affect research directions, conclusions drawn from the results, and the way we think about a topic, while choice of labels is often influenced by biases and hidden assumptions. It is therefore important to adopt a terminology that differentiates between stress conditions, leading to different outcomes.Here, we propose to conceptually associate the term 'stress'/'stressful experience' with 'stress resilience', while restricting the use of the term 'trauma' only in reference to exposures that lead to pathology. We acknowledge that there are as yet no ideal ways for addressing the murkiness of the border between stressful and traumatic experiences. Yet ignoring these differences hampers our ability to elucidate the mechanisms of trauma-related pathologies on the one hand, and of stress resilience on the other. Accordingly, we discuss how to translate such conceptual terminology into research practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Barreto FS, Ribeiro WLC, Cavalcanti BC, Silva PGDB, Soares CN, Vasconcelos GS, Nunes APN, Moraes Filho MOD, Macedo DS. Early maternal separation enhances melanoma progression in adult female mice by immune mechanisms. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1502:40-53. [PMID: 34184281 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Maternal separation (MS) is a risk factor for major depressive disorder. Both cancer and depression seem to share a common biological link. Here, we evaluated the progression of melanoma and the underlying mechanisms related to this progression, namely cell proliferation and apoptosis, in adult female mice exposed to MS. Female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to MS for 60 min/day during the first 2 postnatal weeks (here called MS mice) or left undisturbed (here called non-MS mice). Melanoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the axillary region of adult animals, and tumor progression was evaluated for 25 days. Adult MS mice presented depressive-like behavior and working memory deficits. MS accelerated murine melanoma growth by mechanisms related to decreased apoptosis and increased cell proliferation rate, such as increased expression of IL-6 and mTOR. MS stimulated eukaryotic elongation factor 2 expression and increased the number of circulating monocytes and DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes, an effect associated with oxidative DNA damage. In conclusion, MS accelerated the progression of murine melanoma by mechanisms related to tumor proliferation and apoptosis, revealing a relationship between adverse childhood experiences and cancer progression, particularly melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Stefânio Barreto
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Wesley Lyeverton Correia Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Bruno Coêlho Cavalcanti
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva
- Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Dental Clinic, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Caren Nádia Soares
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Germana Silva Vasconcelos
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes
- Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Dental Clinic, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Manoel Odorico de Moraes Filho
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Danielle S Macedo
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.,National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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43
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Tan T, Wang W, Liu T, Zhong P, Conrow-Graham M, Tian X, Yan Z. Neural circuits and activity dynamics underlying sex-specific effects of chronic social isolation stress. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108874. [PMID: 33761364 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to prolonged stress in critical developmental periods induces heightened vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, which may have sex-specific consequences. Here we investigate the neuronal circuits mediating behavioral changes in mice after chronic adolescent social isolation stress. Escalated aggression is exhibited in stressed males, while social withdrawal is shown in stressed females. In vivo multichannel recordings of free-moving animals indicate that pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortex (PFC) from stressed males exhibit the significantly decreased spike activity during aggressive attacks, while PFC pyramidal neurons from stressed females show a blunted increase of discharge rates during sociability tests. Chemogenetic and electrophysiological evidence shows that PFC hypofunctioning and BLA principal neuron hyperactivity contribute to the elevated aggression in stressed males, while PFC hypofunctioning and VTA dopamine neuron hypoactivity contribute to the diminished sociability in stressed females. These results establish a framework for understanding the circuit and physiological mechanisms underlying sex-specific divergent effects of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Tan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Tiaotiao Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Ping Zhong
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Megan Conrow-Graham
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Xin Tian
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
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44
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Lee CR, Chen A, Tye KM. The neural circuitry of social homeostasis: Consequences of acute versus chronic social isolation. Cell 2021; 184:1500-1516. [PMID: 33691140 PMCID: PMC8580010 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Social homeostasis is the ability of individuals to detect the quantity and quality of social contact, compare it to an established set-point in a command center, and adjust the effort expended to seek the optimal social contact expressed via an effector system. Social contact becomes a positive or negative valence stimulus when it is deficient or in excess, respectively. Chronic deficits lead to set-point adaptations such that reintroduction to the previous optimum is experienced as a surplus. Here, we build upon previous models for social homeostasis to include adaptations to lasting changes in environmental conditions, such as with chronic isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Lee
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Kay M Tye
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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al'Absi M, Ginty AT, Lovallo WR. Neurobiological mechanisms of early life adversity, blunted stress reactivity and risk for addiction. Neuropharmacology 2021; 188:108519. [PMID: 33711348 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Blunted stress reactivity resulting from early exposure to stress during childhood and adolescence may increase vulnerability to addiction. Early life adversity (ELA) affects brain structure and function and results in blunted stress axis reactivity. In this review, we focus on the underlying neurobiological mechanisms associated with a blunted response to stress, ELA, and risk for addictive disorders. ELA and blunted reactivity are accompanied by unstable mood regulation, impulsive behaviors, and reduced cognitive function. Neuroimaging studies reveal cortical and subcortical changes in persons exposed to ELA and those who have a genetic disposition for addiction. We propose a model in which blunted stress reactivity may be a marker of risk for addiction through an altered motivational and behavioral reactivity to stress that contribute to disinhibited behavioral reactivity and impulsivity leading in turn to increased vulnerability for substance use. Evidence supporting this hypothesis in the context of substance use initiation, maintenance, and risk for relapse is presented. The effects of ELA on persons at risk for addiction may lead to early experimentation with drugs of abuse. Early adoption of drug intake may alter neuroregulation in such vulnerable persons leading to a permanent dysregulation of motivational responses consistent with dependence. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa al'Absi
- Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, USA.
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - William R Lovallo
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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The neurobiology of human aggressive behavior: Neuroimaging, genetic, and neurochemical aspects. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110059. [PMID: 32822763 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In modern societies, there is a strive to improve the quality of life related to risk of crimes which inevitably requires a better understanding of brain determinants and mediators of aggression. Neurobiology provides powerful tools to achieve this end. Pre-clinical and clinical studies show that changes in regional volumes, metabolism-function and connectivity within specific neural networks are related to aggression. Subregions of prefrontal cortex, insula, amygdala, basal ganglia and hippocampus play a major role within these circuits and have been consistently implicated in biology of aggression. Genetic variations in proteins regulating the synthesis, degradation, and transport of serotonin and dopamine as well as their signal transduction have been found to mediate behavioral variability observed in aggression. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions represent additional important risk factors for aggressiveness. Considering the social burden of pathological forms of aggression, more basic and translational studies should be conducted to accelerate applications to clinical practice, justice courts, and policy making.
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47
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Drastichova Z, Rudajev V, Pallag G, Novotny J. Proteome profiling of different rat brain regions reveals the modulatory effect of prolonged maternal separation on proteins involved in cell death-related processes. Biol Res 2021; 54:4. [PMID: 33557947 PMCID: PMC7871601 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-021-00327-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Early-life stress in the form of maternal separation can be associated with alterations in offspring neurodevelopment and brain functioning. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential impact of prolonged maternal separation on proteomic profiling of prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of juvenile and young adult rats. A special attention was devoted to proteins involved in the process of cell death and redox state maintenance. Methods Long-Evans pups were separated from their mothers for 3 h daily over the first 3 weeks of life (during days 2–21 of age). Brain tissue samples collected from juvenile (22-day-old) and young adult (90-day-old) rats were used for label-free quantitative (LFQ) proteomic analysis. In parallel, selected oxidative stress markers and apoptosis-related proteins were assessed biochemically and by Western blot, respectively. Results In total, 5526 proteins were detected in our proteomic analysis of rat brain tissue. Approximately one tenth of them (586 proteins) represented those involved in cell death processes or regulation of oxidative stress balance. Prolonged maternal separation caused changes in less than half of these proteins (271). The observed alterations in protein expression levels were age-, sex- and brain region-dependent. Interestingly, the proteins detected by mass spectrometry that are known to be involved in the maintenance of redox state were not markedly altered. Accordingly, we did not observe any significant differences between selected oxidative stress markers, such as the levels of hydrogen peroxide, reduced glutathione, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation in brain samples from rats that underwent maternal separation and from the corresponding controls. On the other hand, a number of changes were found in cell death-associated proteins, mainly in those involved in the apoptotic and autophagic pathways. However, there were no detectable alterations in the levels of cleaved products of caspases or Bcl-2 family members. Taken together, these data indicate that the apoptotic and autophagic cell death pathways were not activated by maternal separation either in adolescent or young adult rats. Conclusion Prolonged maternal separation can distinctly modulate expression profiles of proteins associated with cell death pathways in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of juvenile rats and the consequences of early-life stress may last into adulthood and likely participate in variations in stress reactivity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40659-021-00327-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenka Drastichova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Rudajev
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gergely Pallag
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Novotny
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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48
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Kenkel W. Birth signalling hormones and the developmental consequences of caesarean delivery. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12912. [PMID: 33145818 PMCID: PMC10590550 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rates of delivery by caesarean section (CS) are increasing around the globe and, although several epidemiological associations have already been observed between CS and health outcomes in later life, more are sure to be discovered as this practice continues to gain popularity. The components of vaginal delivery that protect offspring from the negative consequences of CS delivery in later life are currently unknown, although much attention to date has focused on differences in microbial colonisation. Here, we present the case that differing hormonal experiences at birth may also contribute to the neurodevelopmental consequences of CS delivery. Levels of each of the 'birth signalling hormones' (oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and the glucocorticoids) are lower following CS compared to vaginal delivery, and there is substantial evidence for each that manipulations in early life results in long-term neurodevelopmental consequences. We draw from the research traditions of neuroendocrinology and developmental psychobiology to suggest that the perinatal period is a sensitive period, during which hormones achieve organisational effects. Furthermore, there is much to be learned from research on developmental programming by early-life stress that may inform research on CS, as a result of shared neuroendocrine mechanisms at work. We compare and contrast the effects of early-life stress with those of CS delivery and propose new avenues of research based on the links between the two bodies of literature. The research conducted to date suggests that the differences in hormone signalling seen in CS neonates may produce long-term neurodevelopmental consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Kenkel
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
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49
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Wei J, Cheng J, Waddell NJ, Wang ZJ, Pang X, Cao Q, Liu A, Chitaman JM, Abreu K, Jasrotia RS, Duffney LJ, Zhang J, Dietz DM, Feng J, Yan Z. DNA Methyltransferase 3A Is Involved in the Sustained Effects of Chronic Stress on Synaptic Functions and Behaviors. Cereb Cortex 2020; 31:1998-2012. [PMID: 33230530 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms regulate aberrant gene transcription in stress-associated mental disorders. However, it remains to be elucidated about the role of DNA methylation and its catalyzing enzymes, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), in this process. Here, we found that male rats exposed to chronic (2-week) unpredictable stress exhibited a substantial reduction of Dnmt3a after stress cessation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a key target region of stress. Treatment of unstressed control rats with DNMT inhibitors recapitulated the effect of chronic unpredictable stress on decreased AMPAR expression and function in PFC. In contrast, overexpression of Dnmt3a in PFC of stressed animals prevented the loss of glutamatergic responses. Moreover, the stress-induced behavioral abnormalities, including the impaired recognition memory, heightened aggression, and hyperlocomotion, were partially attenuated by Dnmt3a expression in PFC of stressed animals. Finally, we found that there were genome-wide DNA methylation changes and transcriptome alterations in PFC of stressed rats, both of which were enriched at several neural pathways, including glutamatergic synapse and microtubule-associated protein kinase signaling. These results have therefore recognized the potential role of DNA epigenetic modification in stress-induced disturbance of synaptic functions and cognitive and emotional processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wei
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jia Cheng
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Nicholas J Waddell
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Zi-Jun Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Xiaodong Pang
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Aiyi Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Javed M Chitaman
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Kristen Abreu
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Rahul Singh Jasrotia
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Lara J Duffney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - David M Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jian Feng
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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Bentzur A, Ben-Shaanan S, Benichou JIC, Costi E, Levi M, Ilany A, Shohat-Ophir G. Early Life Experience Shapes Male Behavior and Social Networks in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2020; 31:486-501.e3. [PMID: 33186552 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Living in a group creates a complex and dynamic environment in which behavior of individuals is influenced by and affects the behavior of others. Although social interaction and group living are fundamental adaptations exhibited by many organisms, little is known about how prior social experience, internal states, and group composition shape behavior in groups. Here, we present an analytical framework for studying the interplay between social experience and group interaction in Drosophila melanogaster. We simplified the complexity of interactions in a group using a series of experiments in which we controlled the social experience and motivational states of individuals to compare behavioral patterns and social networks of groups under different conditions. We show that social enrichment promotes the formation of distinct group structure that is characterized by high network modularity, high inter-individual and inter-group variance, high inter-individual coordination, and stable social clusters. Using environmental and genetic manipulations, we show that visual cues and cVA-sensing neurons are necessary for the expression of social interaction and network structure in groups. Finally, we explored the formation of group behavior and structure in heterogenous groups composed of flies with distinct internal states and documented emergent structures that are beyond the sum of the individuals that constitute it. Our results demonstrate that fruit flies exhibit complex and dynamic social structures that are modulated by the experience and composition of different individuals within the group. This paves the path for using simple model organisms to dissect the neurobiology of behavior in complex social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assa Bentzur
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shir Ben-Shaanan
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Jennifer I C Benichou
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Eliezer Costi
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Mali Levi
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Amiyaal Ilany
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Galit Shohat-Ophir
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel; The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
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