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Zorzo C, Arias JL, Méndez M. Are there sex differences in spatial reference memory in the Morris water maze? A large-sample experimental study. Learn Behav 2024; 52:179-190. [PMID: 37723403 PMCID: PMC11186955 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00598-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences have been found in allocentric spatial learning and memory tasks, with the literature indicating that males outperform females, although this issue is still controversial. This study aimed to explore the behavior of male and female rats during the habituation and learning of a spatial memory task performed in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). The study included a large sample of 89 males and 85 females. We found that females searched slightly faster than males during habituation with a visible platform. During learning, both male and female rats decreased the latency and distance traveled to find the hidden platform over the days, with males outperforming females in the distance traveled. Females swam faster but did not find the platform earlier, suggesting a less directed navigational strategy. Both sexes increased time spent in the target zone over the days, with no sex differences. Although females swam more in the periphery during the first days of the task, both sexes decreased the time spent in this area. Finally, only males increased swimming in the pool's center over the days, spending more time than females in this area across the entire training. In conclusion, we need to register several variables in the MWM and analyze path strategies to obtain more robust results concerning sex differences. Research on spatial learning should include both sexes to achieve a more equitable, representative, and translational science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela Zorzo
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Instituo de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Jorge L Arias
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituo de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Marta Méndez
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituo de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
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Bottary R, Seo J, Daffre C, Gazecki S, Moore KN, Kopotiyenko K, Dominguez JP, Gannon K, Lasko NB, Roth B, Milad MR, Pace-Schott EF. Fear extinction memory is negatively associated with REM sleep in insomnia disorder. Sleep 2021; 43:5717136. [PMID: 31993652 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Formation and maintenance of fear-extinction memories are disrupted in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders. Sleep contributes to emotional memory consolidation and emotion regulation. Insomnia disorder (ID) is characterized by persistent sleep disturbance as well as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep abnormalities and often precedes or develops in parallel with PTSD and anxiety disorders. Here, we explore the impact of chronic poor sleep and sleep immediately following fear conditioning and extinction learning on preservation of extinction memories. METHODS Twenty-four ID age- and sex-matched to 24 healthy, good sleeper controls (GS) completed up to 2 weeks of habitual sleep monitoring with daily sleep-wake diaries and actigraphy, and then participated in a two-session fear conditioning, extinction learning and extinction recall procedure. Fear Conditioning and Extinction Learning occurred during session 1, followed by Extinction Recall approximately 24 hours later. Skin-conductance responses (SCR) and shock expectancies were recorded throughout all experimental phases to evaluate associative learning and memory. Overnight sleep between sessions 1 and 2 was recorded using ambulatory polysomnography. RESULTS ID showed greater physiological reactivity during Fear Conditioning. REM sleep physiology was associated with poorer extinction memory in ID but better extinction memory in GS. CONCLUSION REM sleep physiology may differentially support emotional memory retention and expression in ID and GS. In the former, REM may enhance retention of fear memories, while in the later, REM may enhance the expression of extinction memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Bottary
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
| | - Jeehye Seo
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Carolina Daffre
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
| | - Samuel Gazecki
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
| | - Kylie N Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | | | - Jarrod P Dominguez
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Karen Gannon
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Natasha B Lasko
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brittainy Roth
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Edward F Pace-Schott
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Ren XJ, Wang QQ, Zhang XP, Wang GY, Liu T, Deng N, Yan DQ. Establishment of a rat model with ageing insomnia induced by D-galactosef and para-chlorophenylalanine. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:3228-3236. [PMID: 32855692 PMCID: PMC7444385 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9080] [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: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to establish a rat model of ageing insomnia induced by D-galactose and/or para-chlorophenylalanine. Following establishment of the model, body weights were measured, and Morris water maze and pentobarbital-induced sleep tests were performed. The serum levels of inflammatory mediators and the neural levels of neurotransmitters were detected. The results demonstrated that the body weights of PCPA+D-gal-induced ageing insomnia rats decreased significantly. Ageing insomnia rats exhibited longer latencies to the platform in the Morris water maze tests and fewer target crossings. The sleep latency of the model rats was longer and sleep time was shorter by contrast. The relative expression of hippocampal IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB and mGluR2 mRNA of the PCPA+D-gal-induced ageing insomnia group was higher, while the relative expression of 5-HT1AR and GABAARa1 mRNA were lower. The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and brain level of glutamate increased in the PCPA+D-gal-induced ageing insomnia group, while the levels of 5-HT and GABA decreased. In conclusion, memory function, sleep time, expression of inflammatory factors and neurotransmitters are altered in ageing insomnia rats induced by D-galactose and para-chlorophenylalanine, indicating the successful establishment of a murine model of ageing insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Juan Ren
- Department of Internal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China.,Department of Gerontology, Xinjiang Urumqi Municipality Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830002, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Quan Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Ping Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Guan-Ying Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Gerontology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Ning Deng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, P.R. China
| | - De-Qi Yan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
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Riemann D, Krone LB, Wulff K, Nissen C. Sleep, insomnia, and depression. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:74-89. [PMID: 31071719 PMCID: PMC6879516 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0411-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 322] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Since ancient times it is known that melancholia and sleep disturbances co-occur. The introduction of polysomnography into psychiatric research confirmed a disturbance of sleep continuity in patients with depression, revealing not only a decrease in Slow Wave Sleep, but also a disinhibition of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, demonstrated as a shortening of REM latency, an increase of REM density, as well as total REM sleep time. Initial hopes that these abnormalities of REM sleep may serve as differential-diagnostic markers for subtypes of depression were not fulfilled. Almost all antidepressant agents suppress REM sleep and a time-and-dose-response relationship between total REM sleep suppression and therapeutic response to treatment seemed apparent. The so-called Cholinergic REM Induction Test revealed that REM sleep abnormalities can be mimicked by administration of cholinomimetic agents. Another important research avenue is the study of chrono-medical timing of sleep deprivation and light exposure for their positive effects on mood in depression. Present day research takes the view on insomnia, i.e., prolonged sleep latency, problems to maintain sleep, and early morning awakening, as a transdiagnostic symptom for many mental disorders, being most closely related to depression. Studying insomnia from different angles as a transdiagnostic phenotype has opened many new perspectives for research into mechanisms but also for clinical practice. Thus, the question is: can the early and adequate treatment of insomnia prevent depression? This article will link current understanding about sleep regulatory mechanisms with knowledge about changes in physiology due to depression. The review aims to draw the attention to current and future strategies in research and clinical practice to the benefits of sleep and depression therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Riemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Lukas B Krone
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katharina Wulff
- Departments of Radiation Sciences & Molecular Biology, Umea University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umea University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Christoph Nissen
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bern, Switzerland
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Effects of glucocorticoid and noradrenergic activity on spatial learning and spatial memory in healthy young adults. Behav Brain Res 2019; 373:112072. [PMID: 31279794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute stress leads to a rapid release of noradrenaline and glucocorticoids, which in turn influence cognitive functions such as spatial learning and memory. However, few studies have investigated noradrenergic and glucocorticoid effects on spatial learning and memory in humans. Therefore, we examined the separate and combined effects of noradrenergic and glucocorticoid stimulation on spatial learning and memory. METHODS One hundred and four healthy men (mean age = 24.1 years ±SD 3.5) underwent the virtual Morris Water Maze (vMWM) task to test spatial learning and spatial memory retrieval after receiving either 10 mg hydrocortisone or 10 mg yohimbine (an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist that increases noradrenergic activity), 10 mg hydrocortisone and 10 mg yohimbine combined, or placebo. The vMWM task took place 90 min after yohimbine was administered and 75 min after hydrocortisone was administered. Placebo was given at the same times. Salivary cortisol and alpha amylase levels were measured to check pharmacological stimulation. RESULTS Hydrocortisone and yohimbine increased salivary cortisol and alpha amylase levels. Participants' task performance improved over time, suggesting successful spatial learning. However, separate and combined noradrenergic and glucocorticoid stimulation had no effect on spatial learning and spatial memory retrieval compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS In healthy young men, hydrocortisone and/or yohimbine did not alter spatial learning or spatial memory retrieval. Importantly, pharmacological stimulation took place prior to learning. Further studies should examine the effects of glucocorticoid and noradrenergic stimulation during encoding, consolidation, and retrieval.
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Ren R, Zhang J, Zhang T, Peng Y, Tang C, Zhang Q. Auriculotherapy for sleep quality in people with primary insomnia: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e14621. [PMID: 30813193 PMCID: PMC6408129 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000014621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary insomnia is one of the common sleep disorders. Auriculotherapy originated from traditional Chinese medicine, has been thought as a promising treatment for primary insomnia. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of auriculotherapy for patients with primary insomnia through this systematic review. METHODS Five English databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and CINAHL), 4 Chinese databases (CBM, CNKI, CQVIP, and Wanfang), and 5 clinical trial registration databases (ClinicalTrials.gov, ANZCTR, EU-CTR, ChiCTR, and ICTRP) will be searched from establishment of the database until November 2018. Articles written in English or Chinese languages will be included. The randomized controlled trials of auriculotherapy (auricular acupuncture and auricular acupressure) for patients with primary insomnia will be included. The primary outcome will be assessed according to the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Meta-analysis will be conducted with the use of RevMan 5.3. The specific process will refer to the Cochrane Handbook 5.1 for Systematic Review. RESULTS High-quality synthesis of current evidence on the efficacy and safety of auriculotherapy for primary insomnia will be provided in this study. CONCLUSION This systematic review aims to present evidence for whether auriculotherapy is an effective intervention which can improve sleep quality in patients suffering primary insomnia. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019106422.
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