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Clicker Training Mice for Improved Compliance in the Catwalk Test. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243545. [PMID: 36552465 PMCID: PMC9774362 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243545] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The CatWalk test relies on the run of mice across the platform to measure a constant speed with low variation. Mice usually require a stimulus to walk to the end of the catwalk. However, such stimuli are usually aversive and can impair welfare. Positive reinforcement training of laboratory animals is a thriving tool for refinement and contributes to meeting the demands instituted by Directive 2010/63/EU. We have already demonstrated the positive effects of clicker training. In this study, we trained male and female mice to complete the CatWalk protocol while assessing the effects of training on their well-being (Open Filed and Elevated Plus Maze). In the CatWalk test, we observed that clicker training improved the running speed of the mice. In addition, clicker training reduced the number of runs required by mice, which was more pronounced in males. Clicker training lowered anxiety-like behaviors in our mice, especially in females, where a significant difference was observed between trained and untrained ones. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that clicker training is an effective tool to motivate mice and increase performance on the CatWalk test without potentially impairing their welfare (e.g., by puffing them).
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Cui Y, Huang X, Huang P, Huang L, Feng Z, Xiang X, Chen X, Li A, Ren C, Li H. Reward ameliorates depressive-like behaviors via inhibition of the substantia innominata to the lateral habenula projection. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0193. [PMID: 35857453 PMCID: PMC9269896 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is implicated in emotional processing, especially depression. Recent studies indicate that the basal forebrain (BF) transmits reward or aversive signals to the LHb. However, the contribution of the BF-LHb circuit to the pathophysiology of depression still needs to be determined. Here, we find that the excitatory projection to the LHb from the substantia innominata (SI), a BF subregion, is activated by aversive stimuli and inhibited by reward stimuli. Furthermore, chronic activation of the SI-LHb circuit is sufficient to induce depressive-like behaviors, whereas inhibition of the circuit alleviates chronic stress-induced depressive-like phenotype. We also find that reward consumption buffers depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic activation of the SI-LHb circuit. In summary, we systematically define the function and mechanism of the SI-LHb circuit in modulating depressive-like behaviors, thus providing important insights to better decipher LHb processing in the pathophysiology of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Cui
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Pengcheng Huang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhao Feng
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI Institute for Brainsmatics, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinkuan Xiang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anan Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI Institute for Brainsmatics, Suzhou, China
| | - Chaoran Ren
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou 510530, China
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Haohong Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Centre and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013 Zhejiang, China
- The MOE Frontier Research Center of Brain and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Savalli G, Diao W, Schulz S, Todtova K, Pollak DD. Diurnal oscillation of amygdala clock gene expression and loss of synchrony in a mouse model of depression. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu095. [PMID: 25522426 PMCID: PMC4376549 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disturbances in circadian rhythm-related physiological and behavioral processes are frequently observed in depressed patients and several clock genes have been identified as risk factors for the development of mood disorders. However, the particular involvement of the circadian system in the pathophysiology of depression and its molecular regulatory interface is incompletely understood. METHODS A naturalistic animal model of depression based upon exposure to chronic mild stress was used to induce anhedonic behavior in mice. Micro-punch dissection was used to isolate basolateral amygdala tissue from anhedonic mice followed by quantitative real-time PCR-based analysis of gene expression. RESULTS Here we demonstrate that chronic mild stress-induced anhedonic behavior is associated with disturbed diurnal oscillation of the expression of Clock, Cry2, Per1, Per3, Id2, Rev-erbα, Ror-β and Ror-γ in the mouse basolateral amygdala. Clock gene desynchronization was accompanied by disruption of the diurnal expressional pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor A expression in the basolateral amygdala of anhedonic mice, also reflected in alterations of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor A levels. CONCLUSION We propose that aberrant control of diurnal rhythmicity related to depression may indeed directly result from the illness itself and establish an animal model for the further exploration of the molecular mechanisms mediating the involvement of the circadian system in the pathophysiology of mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Savalli
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Weifei Diao
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristina Todtova
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The handling of experimental animals prior to experimental interventions is often poorly described, even though it may affect the final functional outcome. This study explores how the use of repeated handling of C57BL/6 mice prior to Morris water maze (MWM) tests can affect the performance. METHODS AND MATERIALS The handled animals were subjected to the escalating handling protocol, with the investigator spending 5 min per day per cage for 8 days prior to the MWM test. On the last days of handling, the mice were introduced to water and the concept of a hidden platform. The MWM test consisted of four daily trials for 90 s per day for 4 days with a hidden platform. A probe test was performed 4 days after the last learning trial. Control animals were not handled prior to MWM. RESULTS Handling reduced the latency to find the platform on the first 2 days of the MWM tests and reduced thigmotaxis. The mice increased their swim speed and elicited more explorative behavior in the learning trials and to some lesser extent in the probe trials. CONCLUSIONS The improvement in MWM navigation was most likely due to reduced stress and anxiety regarding the investigator and the test. Handled mice displayed less variability than non-handled mice, suggesting that by using a controlled handling protocol prior to the experiments fewer C57BL/6 mice would be needed to achieve statistically significant differences in studies of learning and spatial memory using MWM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Hillered
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Neurosurgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Clausen
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Neurosurgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Cojocaru GR, Popa-Wagner A, Stanciulescu EC, Babadan L, Buga AM. Post-stroke depression and the aging brain. J Mol Psychiatry 2013; 1:14. [PMID: 25408907 PMCID: PMC4223891 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9256-1-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing is associated with changes in the function of various organ systems. Changes in the cardiovascular system affect both directly and indirectly the function in a variety of organs, including the brain, with consequent neurological (motor and sensory performance) and cognitive impairments, as well as leading to the development of various psychiatric diseases. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is among the most frequent neuropsychiatric consequences of cerebral ischemia. This review discusses several animal models used for the study of PSD and summarizes recent findings in the genomic profile of the ageing brain, which are associated with age-related disorders in the elderly. Since stroke and depression are diseases with increased incidence in the elderly, great clinical benefit may especially accrue from deciphering and targeting basic mechanisms underlying PSD. Finally, we discuss the relationship between ageing, circadian rhythmicity and PSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel R Cojocaru
- Department of Functional Sciences, Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Petru Rares str., no 2, Craiova, 200349 Romania
| | - Aurel Popa-Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Elena C Stanciulescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Chair of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, 200349 Romania
| | - Loredana Babadan
- Department of Functional Sciences, Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Petru Rares str., no 2, Craiova, 200349 Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Buga
- Department of Functional Sciences, Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Petru Rares str., no 2, Craiova, 200349 Romania
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