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Izquierdo SM, Jessel J, Fiani T, Jones EA. Functional Analysis of Contextually Inappropriate Social Behavior in Children With Down Syndrome. Behav Modif 2024; 48:285-311. [PMID: 38235703 DOI: 10.1177/01454455231222912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with Down syndrome often engage in contextually inappropriate social behavior, which researchers suggest may function to escape from difficult activities to preferred social interactions. Caregivers may reinforce the behavior, perceiving it only as evidence of the child's social strength, when, in fact, the pattern may also prevent or slow the development of critical skills. Unlike overt forms of challenging behavior, contextually inappropriate social behavior had never been subjected to experimental analysis. AIMS The purpose of the current study was to identify and demonstrate functional control of contextually inappropriate social behavior to caregiver-informed contingencies. METHOD AND PROCEDURES We interviewed caregivers and subjected contextually inappropriate social behavior to functional analyses for nine young children with Down syndrome. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS We found sensitivity to the caregiver-informed contingencies for all nine participants with strong functional control and large effect sizes for most. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Caregivers may not perceive contextually inappropriate social behavior as problematic, yet patterns of contextually inappropriate and other problem behaviors suggest decreased engagement and poor task persistence. Assessments that lead to intervention decisions may be more informative when they include questions about social topographies of behavior not typically considered as problematic. Once caregivers are aware of the pattern, they may be better prepared to intervene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally M Izquierdo
- The Graduate Center and Queens College of the City University of New York, USA
| | - Joshua Jessel
- The Graduate Center and Queens College of the City University of New York, USA
| | - Theresa Fiani
- The Graduate Center and Queens College of the City University of New York, USA
| | - Emily A Jones
- The Graduate Center and Queens College of the City University of New York, USA
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2
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Higashida H, Oshima Y, Yamamoto Y. Oxytocin transported from the blood across the blood-brain barrier by receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) affects brain function related to social behavior. Peptides 2024:171230. [PMID: 38677620 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide that primarily functions as a hormone controlling female reproductive processes. Since numerous recent studies have shown that single and repetitive administrations of OT increase trust, social interaction, and maternal behaviors in humans and animals, OT is considered a key molecule that regulates social memory and behavior. Furthermore, OT binds to receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and it has been demonstrated that loss of RAGE in the brain vascular endothelial cells of mice fails to increase brain OT concentrations following peripheral OT administration. This leads to the hypothesis that RAGE is involved in the direct transport of OT, allowing it access to the brain by transporting it across the blood-brain barrier; however, this hypothesis is only based on limited evidence. Herein, we review the recent results related to this hypothesis, such as the mode of transport of OT in the blood circulation to the brain via different forms of RAGE, including membrane-bound full-length RAGE and soluble RAGE. We further review the modulation of brain function and social behavior, which seem to be mediated by RAGE-dependent OT. Overall, this review mostly confirms that RAGE enables the recruitment of circulating OT to the brain, thereby influencing social behavior. The requirement for further studies considering the physiological aspects of RAGE is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiro Higashida
- Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Yu Oshima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Vascular Biology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Vascular Biology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
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3
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Grant-Jacob JA. Evolution of laughter from play. Commun Integr Biol 2024; 17:2338073. [PMID: 38601922 PMCID: PMC11005796 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2024.2338073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In this hypothesis, I discuss how laughter from physical play could have evolved to being induced via visual or even verbal stimuli, and serves as a signal to highlight incongruity that could potentially pose a threat to survival. I suggest how laughter's induction could have negated the need for physical contact in play, evolving from its use in tickling, to tickle-misses, and to taunting, and I discuss how the application of deep learning neural networks trained on images of spectra of a variety of laughter types from a variety of individuals or even species, could be used to determine such evolutionary pathways via the use of latent space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Grant-Jacob
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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4
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Chopra K, Hodges HR, Barker ZE, Vázquez Diosdado JA, Amory JR, Cameron TC, Croft DP, Bell NJ, Thurman A, Bartlett D, Codling EA. Bunching behavior in housed dairy cows at higher ambient temperatures. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:2406-2425. [PMID: 37923206 PMCID: PMC10982438 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Bunching behavior in cattle may occur for several reasons including enabling social interactions, a response to stress or danger, or due to shared interest in resources such as feeding or watering areas. There is evidence in pasture grazed cattle that bunching may occur more frequently at higher ambient temperatures, possibly due to sharing of fly-load or to seek shade from the direct sun under heat stress conditions. Here we demonstrate how bunching behavior is associated with higher ambient temperatures in a barn-housed UK dairy herd. A real-time local positioning system was used, as part of a precision livestock farming (PLF) approach, to track the spatial position and activity of a commercial dairy herd (∼100 cows) in a freestall barn continuously at high temporal resolution for 4 mo between August and November 2014. Bunching was determined using 4 different spatial measures determined on an hourly basis: herd full and core range size, mean herd intercow distance (ICD), and mean herd nearest-neighbor distance (NND). For hourly mean ambient temperatures above 20°C, the herd showed higher bunching behavior with increasing ambient temperature (i.e., reduced full and core range size, ICD, and NND). Aggregated space-use intensity was found to positively correlate with localized variations in temperature across the barn (as measured by animal-mounted sensors), but the level of correlation decreased at higher ambient barn temperatures. Bunching behavior may increase localized temperatures experienced by individuals and hence may be a maladaptive behavioral response in housed dairy cattle, which are known to suffer heat stress at higher temperatures. Our study is the first to use high-resolution positional data to provide evidence of associations between bunching behavior and higher ambient temperatures for a barn-housed dairy herd in a temperate region (UK). Further studies are needed to explore the exact mechanisms for this response to inform both welfare and production management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareemah Chopra
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Holly R Hodges
- Writtle University College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, United Kingdom
| | - Zoe E Barker
- Writtle University College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge A Vázquez Diosdado
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Amory
- Writtle University College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, United Kingdom
| | - Tom C Cameron
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Darren P Croft
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QG, United Kingdom
| | - Nick J Bell
- Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Thurman
- Omnisense Limited, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 6WL, United Kingdom
| | - David Bartlett
- Omnisense Limited, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 6WL, United Kingdom
| | - Edward A Codling
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
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5
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Riemersma IW, Ike KGO, Sollie T, Meijer EL, Havekes R, Kas MJH. Suppression of Cofilin function in the somatosensory cortex alters social contact behavior in the BTBR mouse inbred line. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae136. [PMID: 38602737 PMCID: PMC11008688 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Sensory differences are a core feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and are predictive of other ASD core symptoms such as social difficulties. However, the neurobiological substrate underlying the functional relationship between sensory and social functioning is poorly understood. Here, we examined whether misregulation of structural plasticity in the somatosensory cortex modulates aberrant social functioning in BTBR mice, a mouse model for autism spectrum disorder-like phenotypes. By locally expressing a dominant-negative form of Cofilin (CofilinS3D; a key regulator of synaptic structure) in the somatosensory cortex, we tested whether somatosensory suppression of Cofilin activity alters social functioning in BTBR mice. Somatosensory Cofilin suppression altered social contact and nest-hide behavior of BTBR mice in a social colony, assessed for seven consecutive days. Subsequent behavioral testing revealed that altered social functioning is related to altered tactile sensory perception; CofilinS3D-treated BTBR mice showed a time-dependent difference in the sensory bedding preference task. These findings show that Cofilin suppression in the somatosensory cortex alters social functioning in BTBR mice and that this is associated with tactile sensory processing, a critical indicator of somatosensory functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris W Riemersma
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin G O Ike
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Sollie
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elroy L Meijer
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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6
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Kuroda KO, Fukumitsu K, Kurachi T, Ohmura N, Shiraishi Y, Yoshihara C. Parental brain through time: The origin and development of the neural circuit of mammalian parenting. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024; 1534:24-44. [PMID: 38426943 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This review consolidates current knowledge on mammalian parental care, focusing on its neural mechanisms, evolutionary origins, and derivatives. Neurobiological studies have identified specific neurons in the medial preoptic area as crucial for parental care. Unexpectedly, these neurons are characterized by the expression of molecules signaling satiety, such as calcitonin receptor and BRS3, and overlap with neurons involved in the reproductive behaviors of males but not females. A synthesis of comparative ecology and paleontology suggests an evolutionary scenario for mammalian parental care, possibly stemming from male-biased guarding of offspring in basal vertebrates. The terrestrial transition of tetrapods led to prolonged egg retention in females and the emergence of amniotes, skewing care toward females. The nocturnal adaptation of Mesozoic mammalian ancestors reinforced maternal care for lactation and thermal regulation via endothermy, potentially introducing metabolic gate control in parenting neurons. The established maternal care may have served as the precursor for paternal and cooperative care in mammals and also fostered the development of group living, which may have further contributed to the emergence of empathy and altruism. These evolution-informed working hypotheses require empirical validation, yet they offer promising avenues to investigate the neural underpinnings of mammalian social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumi O Kuroda
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- School of Life Sciences and Technologies, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kansai Fukumitsu
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Takuma Kurachi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nami Ohmura
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Center for Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuko Shiraishi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Kawamura Gakuen Woman's University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chihiro Yoshihara
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- School of Life Sciences and Technologies, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
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7
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Simmons GL, Corbett BA, Lerner MD, Wofford K, White SW. Social competence in autism: A structural equation modeling approach. Autism Res 2024; 17:761-774. [PMID: 38481386 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Autistic individuals present with difficulties in social competence (e.g., navigating social interactions and fostering relationships). Clinical interventions widely target social cognition and social behavior, but there is inconsistent understanding of the underlying components of social competence. The present study used structural equation modeling to examine social cognition and social behavior and explore the relationship between these latent constructs. Autistic youth (ages 10-17; n = 219) and their caregivers participated in this study. Constructs of social cognition and social behavior were captured using caregiver-report and self-report rating scales, as well as observational measures and direct clinical assessments (e.g., NEPSY-II). Measurement models of social cognition and social behavior demonstrated adequate to good fit. Correlational models demonstrated adequate to poor fit, indicating latent constructs of social cognition and social behavior are not closely related in autistic youth. Exploratory examination of a subsample of male youth (n = 157) evidenced improved model fit of social behavior, specifically. Findings tease apart social cognition and social behavior as cohesive and separable constructs; results do not support a structural relationship between social cognition and social behavior. Noted treatment implications include consideration of how targeting social cognition and social behavior together or separately may support autistic youth's progress toward reaching their identified therapeutic goals and supporting their self-directed social development.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Simmons
- TEACCH Autism Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Youth Development and Intervention, Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - B A Corbett
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - M D Lerner
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - K Wofford
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - S W White
- Center for Youth Development and Intervention, Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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8
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Sabbi KH, Kurilla SE, Monroe IG, Zhang Y, Menante A, Cole MF, Otali E, Kobusingye M, Emery Thompson M, Muller MN, Wrangham RW, Machanda ZP. Ecological variation in adult social play reveals a hidden cost of motherhood for wild chimpanzees. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1364-1369.e2. [PMID: 38490201 PMCID: PMC11002997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Though common among humans, social play by adults is an uncommon occurrence in most animals, even between parents and offspring.1,2,3 The most common explanation for why adult play is so rare is that its function and benefits are largely limited to development, so that social play has little value later in life.3,4,5,6 Here, we draw from 10 years of behavioral data collected by the Kibale Chimpanzee Project to consider an alternative hypothesis: that despite its benefits, adult play in non-humans is ecologically constrained by energy shortage or time limitations. We further hypothesized that, since they may be the only available partners for their young offspring, mother chimpanzees pay greater costs of play than other adults. Our analysis of nearly 4,000 adult play bouts revealed that adult chimpanzees played both among themselves and with immature partners. Social play was infrequent when diet quality was low but increased with the proportion of high-quality fruits in the diet. This suggests that adults engage in play facultatively when they have more energy and/or time to do so. However, when diet quality was low and most adult play fell to near zero, play persisted between mothers and offspring. Increased use of play by adult chimpanzees during periods of resource abundance suggests that play retains value as a social currency beyond development but that its costs constrain its use. At the same time, when ecological conditions constrain opportunities for young to play, play by mothers fills a critical role to promote healthy offspring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris H Sabbi
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Anthropology, Tufts University, 110 Braker Hall, 8 Upper Campus Rd, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
| | - Sophia E Kurilla
- Department of Anthropology, Tufts University, 110 Braker Hall, 8 Upper Campus Rd, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Isabelle G Monroe
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Eat Hall 1004, 530 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yukun Zhang
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ashley Menante
- Department of Anthropology, Tufts University, 110 Braker Hall, 8 Upper Campus Rd, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Megan F Cole
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, MSC01-1040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Emily Otali
- Kibale Chimpanzee Project, PO Box 409, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | | | - Melissa Emery Thompson
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, MSC01-1040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Kibale Chimpanzee Project, PO Box 409, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Martin N Muller
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, MSC01-1040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Kibale Chimpanzee Project, PO Box 409, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Richard W Wrangham
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Kibale Chimpanzee Project, PO Box 409, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Zarin P Machanda
- Department of Anthropology, Tufts University, 110 Braker Hall, 8 Upper Campus Rd, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Kibale Chimpanzee Project, PO Box 409, Fort Portal, Uganda
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Flynn LT, Bouras NN, Migovich VM, Clarin JD, Gao WJ. The "psychiatric" neuron: the psychic neuron of the cerebral cortex, revisited. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1356674. [PMID: 38562227 PMCID: PMC10982399 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1356674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly 25 years ago, Dr. Patricia Goldman-Rakic published her review paper, "The 'Psychic' Neuron of the Cerebral Cortex," outlining the circuit-level dynamics, neurotransmitter systems, and behavioral correlates of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex, particularly as they relate to working memory. In the decades since the release of this paper, the existing literature and our understanding of the pyramidal neuron have increased tremendously, and research is still underway to better characterize the role of the pyramidal neuron in both healthy and psychiatric disease states. In this review, we revisit Dr. Goldman-Rakic's characterization of the pyramidal neuron, focusing on the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and their role in working memory. Specifically, we examine the role of PFC pyramidal neurons in the intersection of working memory and social function and describe how deficits in working memory may actually underlie the pathophysiology of social dysfunction in psychiatric disease states. We briefly describe the cortico-cortical and corticothalamic connections between the PFC and non-PFC brain regions, as well the microcircuit dynamics of the pyramidal neuron and interneurons, and the role of both these macro- and microcircuits in the maintenance of the excitatory/inhibitory balance of the cerebral cortex for working memory function. Finally, we discuss the consequences to working memory when pyramidal neurons and their circuits are dysfunctional, emphasizing the resulting social deficits in psychiatric disease states with known working memory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Taylor Flynn
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nadia N. Bouras
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Volodar M. Migovich
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jacob D. Clarin
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Kavanagh N, Prioleau C, Miller B. Editorial: The neurobiology of values. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1377129. [PMID: 38510378 PMCID: PMC10952097 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1377129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Niall Kavanagh
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center, Global Brain Health Institute, San Francisco, CA, United States
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11
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Siegler PN, Shaughnessy EK, Horman B, Vierling TT, King DH, Patisaul HB, Huhman KL, Alexander GM, Dudek SM. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25603. [PMID: 38497661 PMCID: PMC10950058 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and Syrian, or golden, hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) are closely related to mice (Mus musculus) and are commonly used in studies of social behavior including social interaction, social memory, and aggression. Hippocampal area CA2 is known to play a key role in these behaviors in mice and responds to social stimuli in rats, but CA2 has yet to be characterized in hamsters or voles, which are also used in studies of social behaviors. Here, we used immunofluorescence to determine whether CA2 could be molecularly identified in tissue from voles and hamsters. We found that staining for many CA2 markers was similar in these three species, with labeling seen in neurons at the distal end of the mossy fibers . In contrast, although perineuronal nets (PNNs) surround CA2 cells in mice, PNN staining differed across species. In voles, both CA2 and CA3 were labeled, whereas in hamsters, labeling was seen primarily in CA3. These results demonstrate that CA2 can be molecularly distinguished from neighboring CA1 and CA3 areas in voles and hamsters with several antibodies commonly used in mice. However, PNN staining is not useful for identifying CA2 in voles or hamsters, suggestive of differing roles for either PNNs or for the hippocampal subregions in social behavior. These findings reveal commonalities across species in the molecular profile of CA2 and should facilitate future studies of CA2 in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preston Nicole Siegler
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Brian Horman
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Tia T. Vierling
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Darron H. King
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Heather B. Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Kim L. Huhman
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Georgia M. Alexander
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Serena M. Dudek
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
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12
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Katz BR, Lattal KA. An analysis of coordinated responding of pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav 2024; 121:201-217. [PMID: 38172078 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Experimental analyses of coordinated responding (i.e., cooperation) have been derived from a procedure described by Skinner (1962) in which reinforcers were delivered to a pair of subjects (a dyad) if both responded within a short interval, thus satisfying a coordination contingency. Although it has been suggested that this contingency enhances rates of temporally coordinated responding, limitations of past experiments have raised questions concerning this conclusion. The present experiments addressed some of these limitations by holding the schedule of reinforcement (Experiment 1: fixed ratio 1; Experiment 2; variable interval 20 s) constant across phases and between dyad members and by varying, in different conditions, the number of response keys (one to three) across which coordination could occur. Greater percentages of coordinated responding occurred under the coordinated-reinforcement phases than under independent-reinforcement phases in most conditions. The one exception during the one-key condition of Experiment 1 appeared to be a consequence of variability introduced by the independent-reinforcement phase procedure. Furthermore, coordination percentages decreased with increasing response options under both schedules. These results confirm and extend the finding that coordination contingencies control higher rates of temporally coordinated responding than independent-reinforcement contingencies do.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Katz
- West Virginia University Department of Psychology, Morgantown, WV, USA
- University of Vermont Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Kennon A Lattal
- West Virginia University Department of Psychology, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Zhang HL, Hu S, Qu ST, Lv MD, Wang JJ, Liu XT, Yao JH, Ding YY, Xu GY. Inhibition of NKCC1 Ameliorates Anxiety and Autistic Behaviors Induced by Maternal Immune Activation in Mice. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:1851-1864. [PMID: 38534737 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is thought to result from susceptibility genotypes and environmental risk factors. The offspring of women who experience pregnancy infection have an increased risk for autism. Maternal immune activation (MIA) in pregnant animals produces offspring with autistic behaviors, making MIA a useful model for autism. However, how MIA causes autistic behaviors in offspring is not fully understood. Here, we show that NKCC1 is critical for mediating autistic behaviors in MIA offspring. We confirmed that MIA induced by poly(I:C) infection during pregnancy leads to autistic behaviors in offspring. We further demonstrated that MIA offspring showed significant microglia activation, excessive dendritic spines, and narrow postsynaptic density (PSD) in their prefrontal cortex (PFC). Then, we discovered that these abnormalities may be caused by overexpression of NKCC1 in MIA offspring's PFCs. Finally, we ameliorated the autistic behaviors using PFC microinjection of NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide (BTN) in MIA offspring. Our findings may shed new light on the pathological mechanisms for autism caused by pregnancy infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Long Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Shufen Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Shu-Ting Qu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Meng-Dan Lv
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jun-Jun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xin-Ting Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jia-He Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yi-Yan Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Guang-Yin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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14
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Milbrath LR, Biazzo J, Mudrak E. In-gallery social behaviors of the ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environ Entomol 2024; 53:85-93. [PMID: 38245821 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The east Asian ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus germanus (Blanford) was first detected in the United States in 1932. It now occurs across much of eastern North America and parts of the Pacific Northwest. It attacks a broad range of stressed, woody hosts including ornamental and orchard species. The foundress tunnels into the sapwood of hosts where it cultures a symbiotic fungus as food for its offspring. A few other ambrosia beetles have been shown to possess a facultatively eusocial structure among gallery members, but this has not been described for Xylosandrus spp. Using a novel artificial diet arena, we quantified the behaviors of X. germanus larvae and adults (foundress and mature offspring) over 10 wk inside their galleries. Foundresses were responsible for constructing the gallery. They also initially tended the fungal garden and brood but eventually spent most of their time blocking the gallery entrance. Larvae were mainly observed to feed, crawl, or be inactive within the gallery, regardless of the absence or presence of adult siblings. Adult female offspring were primarily inactive, likely due to dormancy. Adult male offspring actively crawled and attempted to mate with their sisters before eventually dispersing out of the gallery. Cooperative hygienic behaviors (removal of frass, cannibalism of dead nest mates, grooming siblings) were observed but a division of labor among offspring was not clear. Rather, foundress behaviors were mostly distinct from offspring behaviors, particularly as the gallery aged. Because no overlap in generations occurred, X. germanus displays a quasisocial structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey R Milbrath
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, 538 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jeromy Biazzo
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, 538 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Erika Mudrak
- Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit, Cornell University, 1198 Comstock Hall, 129 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY, USA
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15
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Bozkurt A, Ayık Z. The Relationship between Giftedness and Sex and Children's Theory of Mind Skills and Social Behavior. Children (Basel) 2024; 11:253. [PMID: 38397365 PMCID: PMC10888180 DOI: 10.3390/children11020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theory of mind (ToM), the ability to recognize the mental states and emotions of others, is central to effective social relationships. Measuring higher-order ToM skills in gifted children may be a useful way to identify the tendency to experience difficulties in social behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between intelligence and sex in children using ToM and social behavior measures. METHODS Children aged 10-12 years constituted both the gifted (n = 45) and non-gifted (n = 45) groups. The participants were assessed for prosocial behaviors and peer problems using the subscales of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and in terms of ToM using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test-Child Version (RMET-C) and the Faux Pas Recognition Test-Child Version (FPRT-C). RESULTS ToM test results were higher in gifted children and girls. Peer problems were lower in gifted children. Prosocial behavior was higher in girls. No relationship was determined between ToM tests and peer problems or prosocial behavior in gifted children, but such a relationship was observed in the non-gifted group. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that gifted children with high cognitive skills also possess superior social cognition skills. Advanced ToM skills in gifted children may be important to supporting their social and cognitive development. The differences between boys and girls should be considered in educational interventions applied to children in the social sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Bozkurt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
| | - Zekai Ayık
- Department of Special Education, Harran University, Şanlıurfa 63290, Turkey;
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16
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Hörner M, Popp S, Branchu J, Stevanin G, Darios F, Klebe S, Groh J, Martini R. Clinically approved immunomodulators ameliorate behavioral changes in a mouse model of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1299554. [PMID: 38435059 PMCID: PMC10904495 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1299554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that neuroinflammation by the adaptive immune system acts as a robust and targetable disease amplifier in a mouse model of Spastic Paraplegia, type 11 (SPG11), a complicated form of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). While we identified an impact of neuroinflammation on distinct neuropathological changes and gait performance, neuropsychological features, typical and clinically highly relevant symptoms of complicated HSPs, were not addressed. Here we show that the corresponding SPG11 mouse model shows distinct behavioral abnormalities, particularly related to social behavior thus partially reflecting the neuropsychological changes in patients. We provide evidence that some behavioral abnormalities can be mitigated by genetic inactivation of the adaptive immune system. Translating this into a clinically applicable approach, we show that treatment with the established immunomodulators fingolimod or teriflunomide significantly attenuates distinct behavioral abnormalities, with the most striking effect on social behavior. This study links neuroinflammation to behavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of SPG11 and may thus pave the way for using immunomodulators as a treatment approach for SPG11 and possibly other complicated forms of HSP with neuropsychological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Hörner
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sandy Popp
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- TSE Systems GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julien Branchu
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EVerZom, Paris, France
| | - Giovanni Stevanin
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- INCIA, CNRS, EPHE, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frédéric Darios
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Stephan Klebe
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Janos Groh
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rudolf Martini
- Section of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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17
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Albini M, Almacellas-Barbanoj A, Krawczun-Rygmaczewska A, Ciano L, Benfenati F, Michetti C, Cesca F. Alterations in KIDINS220/ARMS Expression Impact Sensory Processing and Social Behavior in Adult Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2334. [PMID: 38397009 PMCID: PMC10889203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kDa (Kidins220) is a transmembrane protein that participates in neural cell survival, maturation, and plasticity. Mutations in the human KIDINS220 gene are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder ('SINO' syndrome) characterized by spastic paraplegia, intellectual disability, and in some cases, autism spectrum disorder. To better understand the pathophysiology of KIDINS220-linked pathologies, in this study, we assessed the sensory processing and social behavior of transgenic mouse lines with reduced Kidins220 expression: the CaMKII-driven conditional knockout (cKO) line, lacking Kidins220 in adult forebrain excitatory neurons, and the Kidins220floxed line, expressing constitutively lower protein levels. We show that alterations in Kidins220 expression levels and its splicing pattern cause impaired response to both auditory and olfactory stimuli. Both transgenic lines show impaired startle response to high intensity sounds, with preserved pre-pulsed inhibition, and strongly reduced social odor recognition. In the Kidins220floxed line, olfactory alterations are associated with deficits in social memory and increased aggressive behavior. Our results broaden our knowledge of the SINO syndrome; understanding sensory information processing and its deviations under neuropathological conditions is crucial for devising future therapeutic strategies to enhance the quality of life of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Albini
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Amanda Almacellas-Barbanoj
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alicja Krawczun-Rygmaczewska
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ciano
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Caterina Michetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Cesca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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18
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Siegler PN, Shaughnessy EK, Horman B, Vierling TT, King DH, Patisaul HB, Huhman KL, Alexander GM, Dudek SM. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.12.579957. [PMID: 38405991 PMCID: PMC10888814 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.579957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and Syrian, or golden, hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) are closely related to mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus, for example) and are commonly used in studies of social behavior including social interaction, social memory, and aggression. The CA2 region of the hippocampus is known to play a key role in social memory and aggression in mice and responds to social stimuli in rats, likely owing to its high expression of oxytocin and vasopressin 1b receptors. However, CA2 has yet to be identified and characterized in hamsters or voles. In this study, we sought to determine whether CA2 could be identified molecularly in vole and hamster. To do this, we used immunofluorescence with primary antibodies raised against known molecular markers of CA2 in mice and rats to stain hippocampal sections from voles and hamsters in parallel with those from mice. Here, we report that, like in mouse and rat, staining for many CA2 proteins in vole and hamster hippocampus reveals a population of neurons that express regulator of G protein signaling 14 (RGS14), Purkinje cell protein 4 (PCP4) and striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP), which together delineate the borders with CA3 and CA1. These cells were located at the distal end of the mossy fiber projections, marked by the presence of Zinc Transporter 3 (ZnT-3) and calbindin in all three species. In addition to staining the mossy fibers, calbindin also labeled a layer of CA1 pyramidal cells in mouse and hamster but not in vole. However, Wolframin ER transmembrane glycoprotein (WFS1) immunofluorescence, which marks all CA1 neurons, was present in all three species and abutted the distal end of CA2, marked by RGS14 immunofluorescence. Staining for two stress hormone receptors-the glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors-was also similar in all three species, with GR staining found primarily in CA1 and MR staining enriched in CA2. Interestingly, although perineuronal nets (PNNs) are known to surround CA2 cells in mouse and rat, we found that staining for PNNs differed across species in that both CA2 and CA3 showed staining in voles and primarily CA3 in hamsters with only some neurons in proximal CA2 showing staining. These results demonstrate that, like in mouse, CA2 in voles and hamsters can be molecularly distinguished from neighboring CA1 and CA3 areas, but PNN staining is less useful for identifying CA2 in the latter two species. These findings reveal commonalities across species in molecular profile of CA2, which will facilitate future studies of CA2 in these species. Yet to be determined is how differences in PNNs might relate to differences in social behavior across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preston Nicole Siegler
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Brian Horman
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Tia T. Vierling
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Darron H. King
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Heather B. Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Kim L. Huhman
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Georgia M. Alexander
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Serena M. Dudek
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
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Grabowska K, Grabowski M, Przybyła M, Pondel N, Barski JJ, Nowacka-Chmielewska M, Liśkiewicz D. Ketogenic diet and behavior: insights from experimental studies. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1322509. [PMID: 38389795 PMCID: PMC10881757 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1322509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
As a journal page for full details. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been established as a treatment for epilepsy, but more recently it has been explored as an alternative or add-on therapy for many other diseases ranging from weight loss to neurological disorders. Animal models are widely used in studies investigating the therapeutic effects of the KD as well as underlying mechanisms. Especially in the context of neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders essential endpoints are assessed by behavioral and motor tests. Here we summarized research evaluating the influence of the KD on cognition, depressive and anxiety-related behaviors, and social and nutritional behaviors of laboratory rodents. Each section contains a brief description of commonly used behavioral tests highlighting their limitations. Ninety original research articles, written in English, performed on mice or rats, providing measurement of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels and behavioral evaluation were selected for the review. The majority of research performed in various disease models shows that the KD positively impacts cognition. Almost an equal number of studies report a reduction or no effect of the KD on depressive-related behaviors. For anxiety-related behaviors, the majority of studies show no effect. Despite the increasing use of the KD in weight loss and its appetite-reducing properties the behavioral evaluation of appetite regulation has not been addressed in preclinical studies. This review provides an overview of the behavioral effects of nutritional ketosis addressed to a broad audience of scientists interested in the KD field but not necessarily specializing in behavioral tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstancja Grabowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Mateusz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marta Przybyła
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Natalia Pondel
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jarosław J Barski
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marta Nowacka-Chmielewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Daniela Liśkiewicz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
- Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
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20
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Guo B, Xi K, Mao H, Ren K, Xiao H, Hartley ND, Zhang Y, Kang J, Liu Y, Xie Y, Zhou Y, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Fu Z, Chen JF, Hu H, Wang W, Wu S. CB1R dysfunction of inhibitory synapses in the ACC drives chronic social isolation stress-induced social impairments in male mice. Neuron 2024; 112:441-457.e6. [PMID: 37992714 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation is a risk factor for multiple mood disorders. Specifically, social isolation can remodel the brain, causing behavioral abnormalities, including sociability impairments. Here, we investigated social behavior impairment in mice following chronic social isolation stress (CSIS) and conducted a screening of susceptible brain regions using functional readouts. CSIS enhanced synaptic inhibition in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), particularly at inhibitory synapses of cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing interneurons. This enhanced synaptic inhibition in the ACC was characterized by CSIS-induced loss of presynaptic cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs), resulting in excessive axonal calcium influx. Activation of CCK-expressing interneurons or conditional knockdown of CB1R expression in CCK-expressing interneurons specifically reproduced social impairment. In contrast, optogenetic activation of CB1R or administration of CB1R agonists restored sociability in CSIS mice. These results suggest that the CB1R may be an effective therapeutic target for preventing CSIS-induced social impairments by restoring synaptic inhibition in the ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolin Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Kaiwen Xi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Honghui Mao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Keke Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Haoxiang Xiao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Nolan D Hartley
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yangming Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Junjun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yuqiao Xie
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jiang-Fan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Hailan Hu
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Lara-Vasquez A, Espinosa N, Morales C, Moran C, Billeke P, Gallagher J, Strohl JJ, Huerta PT, Fuentealba P. Dominance hierarchy regulates social behavior during spatial movement. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1237748. [PMID: 38384483 PMCID: PMC10879816 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1237748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodents establish dominance hierarchy as a social ranking system in which one subject acts as dominant over all the other subordinate individuals. Dominance hierarchy regulates food access and mating opportunities, but little is known about its significance in other social behaviors, for instance during collective navigation for foraging or migration. Here, we implemented a simplified goal-directed spatial task in mice, in which animals navigated individually or collectively with their littermates foraging for food. We compared between conditions and found that the social condition exerts significant influence on individual displacement patterns, even when efficient navigation rules leading to reward had been previously learned. Thus, movement patterns and consequent task performance were strongly dependent on contingent social interactions arising during collective displacement, yet their influence on individual behavior was determined by dominance hierarchy. Dominant animals did not behave as leaders during collective displacement; conversely, they were most sensitive to the social environment adjusting their performance accordingly. Social ranking in turn was associated with specific spontaneous neural activity patterns in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, with dominant mice showing higher firing rates, larger ripple oscillations, and stronger neuronal entrainment by ripples than subordinate animals. Moreover, dominant animals selectively increased their cortical spiking activity during collective movement, while subordinate mice did not modify their firing rates, consistent with dominant animals being more sensitive to the social context. These results suggest that dominance hierarchy influences behavioral performance during contingent social interactions, likely supported by the coordinated activity in the hippocampal-prefrontal circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Lara-Vasquez
- Centro Integrativo de Neurociencias y Departamento de Psiquiatría, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nelson Espinosa
- Centro Integrativo de Neurociencias y Departamento de Psiquiatría, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian Morales
- Centro Integrativo de Neurociencias y Departamento de Psiquiatría, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Constanza Moran
- Centro Integrativo de Neurociencias y Departamento de Psiquiatría, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Billeke
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joseph Gallagher
- Laboratory of Immune & Neural Networks, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Joshua J. Strohl
- Laboratory of Immune & Neural Networks, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Patricio T. Huerta
- Laboratory of Immune & Neural Networks, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Pablo Fuentealba
- Centro Integrativo de Neurociencias y Departamento de Psiquiatría, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Nanotecnología y Materiales Avanzados – CIEN-UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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22
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Cortés B, Fidalgo A, Díaz S, Abáigar T. Agonistic interactions and social behaviors in the Saharan Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas neglecta): Using social network analysis to evaluate relationships and social structure in captive male groups. Zoo Biol 2024. [PMID: 38318958 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Social interactions, including agonistic behavior, are very important for the management and welfare of individuals forming groups in captivity. One of the main concerns for the stability and durability of adult male groups is a noticeable level of intraspecific aggression. This study comprises a Social Network Analysis to illustrate social structure in different groups of captive Saharan Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas neglecta). Our main objectives were to examine the relationship between agonistic, affiliative, and association networks and their reciprocity, assessing also whether the agonistic networks can conform to a linear dominance hierarchy. For these purposes, we recorded the behavior of 23 adult males organized in five herds, three composed only of Saharan Dorcas gazelle males and two mixed herds in which there were also Mhorr gazelle males (Nanger dama mohor). Observations were carried out during 295 h through scan sampling. We found no correlation between the affiliative and association networks in any group, although there was a significant correlation between the agonistic and association networks in mixed-species groups which was not present in single-species groups. Overall, there was no consistent reciprocity in either affiliative nor agonistic networks and none of the agonistic networks showed a linear structure. These results indicate that affiliative behavior in Saharan Dorcas gazelles offers distinctive and valuable information about the bonds between individuals, however, their dominance structure is far more complex than previously thought. As information provided by affiliative and proximity behaviors is different in this species, we suggest considering affiliative interactions to stablish affinity between individuals. Evaluating different social behaviors and not only agonistic interactions in later studies, is also recommended to develop a more accurately daily management in zoos that guarantee group stability and individuals' welfare, which will improve the conservation of captive populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Cortés
- Desertification and Geomorphology Department, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas-CSIC, Almería, Spain
| | - Ana Fidalgo
- Department of Biological and Health psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Díaz
- Department of Biological and Health psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Abáigar
- Desertification and Geomorphology Department, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas-CSIC, Almería, Spain
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23
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Le VA, Sterley TL, Cheng N, Bains JS, Murari K. Markerless Mouse Tracking for Social Experiments. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0154-22.2023. [PMID: 38233144 PMCID: PMC10901195 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0154-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Automated behavior quantification in socially interacting animals requires accurate tracking. While many methods have been very successful and highly generalizable to different settings, issues of mistaken identities and lost information on key anatomical features are common, although they can be alleviated by increased human effort in training or post-processing. We propose a markerless video-based tool to simultaneously track two interacting mice of the same appearance in controlled settings for quantifying behaviors such as different types of sniffing, touching, and locomotion to improve tracking accuracy under these settings without increased human effort. It incorporates conventional handcrafted tracking and deep-learning-based techniques. The tool is trained on a small number of manually annotated images from a basic experimental setup and outputs body masks and coordinates of the snout and tail-base for each mouse. The method was tested on several commonly used experimental conditions including bedding in the cage and fiberoptic or headstage implants on the mice. Results obtained without any human corrections after the automated analysis showed a near elimination of identities switches and a ∼15% improvement in tracking accuracy over pure deep-learning-based pose estimation tracking approaches. Our approach can be optionally ensembled with such techniques for further improvement. Finally, we demonstrated an application of this approach in studies of social behavior of mice by quantifying and comparing interactions between pairs of mice in which some lack olfaction. Together, these results suggest that our approach could be valuable for studying group behaviors in rodents, such as social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Anh Le
- Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Toni-Lee Sterley
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Ning Cheng
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Kartikeya Murari
- Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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24
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Rodman AM, Rosen ML, Kasparek SW, Mayes M, Lengua L, Meltzoff AN, McLaughlin KA. Social experiences and youth psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:366-378. [PMID: 36503551 PMCID: PMC10258229 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders resulted in a stark reduction in daily social interactions for children and adolescents. Given that peer relationships are especially important during this developmental stage, it is crucial to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social behavior and risk for psychopathology in children and adolescents. In a longitudinal sample (N=224) of children (7-10y) and adolescents (13-15y) assessed at three strategic time points (before the pandemic, during the initial stay-at-home order period, and six months later after the initial stay-at-home order period was lifted), we examine whether certain social factors protect against increases in stress-related psychopathology during the pandemic, controlling for pre-pandemic symptoms. Youth who reported less in-person and digital socialization, greater social isolation, and less social support had worsened psychopathology during the pandemic. Greater social isolation and decreased digital socialization during the pandemic were associated with greater risk for psychopathology after experiencing pandemic-related stressors. In addition, children, but not adolescents, who maintained some in-person socialization were less likely to develop internalizing symptoms following exposure to pandemic-related stressors. We identify social factors that promote well-being and resilience in youth during this societal event.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Makeda Mayes
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington-Seattle
| | - Liliana Lengua
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington-Seattle
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25
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Lopez MS, Alward BA. Androgen receptor deficiency is associated with reduced aromatase expression in the ventromedial hypothalamus of male cichlids. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024; 1532:73-82. [PMID: 38240562 PMCID: PMC10922992 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Social behaviors are regulated by sex steroid hormones, such as androgens and estrogens. However, the specific molecular and neural processes modulated by steroid hormones to generate social behaviors remain to be elucidated. We investigated whether some actions of androgen signaling in the control of social behavior may occur through the regulation of estradiol synthesis in the highly social cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni. Specifically, we examined the expression of cyp19a1, a brain-specific aromatase, in the brains of male A. burtoni lacking a functional ARα gene (ar1), which was recently found to be necessary for aggression in this species. We found that cyp19a1 expression is higher in wild-type males compared to ar1 mutant males in the anterior tuberal nucleus (ATn), the putative fish homolog of the mammalian ventromedial hypothalamus, a brain region that is critical for aggression across taxa. Using in situ hybridization chain reaction, we determined that cyp19a1+ cells coexpress ar1 throughout the brain, including in the ATn. We speculate that ARα may modulate cyp19a1 expression in the ATn to govern aggression in A. burtoni. These studies provide novel insights into the hormonal mechanisms of social behavior in teleosts and lay a foundation for future functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S. Lopez
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Beau A. Alward
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry. University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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26
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Sokolov M, Levy-Schiff R, Enoch-Levy A, Stein D. Self-perception and perceived parental perception in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1301927. [PMID: 38314249 PMCID: PMC10834772 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1301927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Negative self-perception is associated with poor outcomes in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). Our study aimed to assess the association between the self-perception of female adolescents with AN and how these adolescents perceive the attitudes of their parents toward them on the severity and short-term outcome of their illness. For this purpose, we assessed 30 adolescent girls hospitalized with AN and 30 female controls. Self-perception and perceived parental attitudes were assessed using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), according to which self-perception is formed via close relations with significant others in early life. Patients with AN responded to the SASB and to questionnaires assessing eating disorder (ED) symptomatology and emotional distress at both admission and discharge. Controls were similarly assessed once. We found that patients with AN showed a more negative self-perception than controls. Negative self-perception was associated with negative perceptions of the mothers' attitudes toward the girls. There was no between-group difference in the perceived perception of the fathers' attitude to the girls. Self-perception and perceived parental attitudes were associated with the severity of ED symptoms and emotional distress. Finally, an improvement was found in self-perception and perceived maternal attitudes toward the girl from admission to discharge, alongside a decrease in the severity of ED symptoms and emotional distress. Self-perception at admission was associated with ED pathology and emotional distress at discharge. These findings suggest that self-perception and perceived parental attitudes toward the adolescent with AN may be associated with the severity of the illness and its short-term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Sokolov
- Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Adi Enoch-Levy
- Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Daniel Stein
- Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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27
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Pizzarelli R, Pimpinella D, Jacobs C, Tartacca A, Kullolli U, Monyer H, Alberini CM, Griguoli M. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) rescues social deficits in NLG3 -/y mouse model of ASDs. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1332179. [PMID: 38298376 PMCID: PMC10827848 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1332179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise developmental disabilities characterized by impairments of social interaction and repetitive behavior, often associated with cognitive deficits. There is no current treatment that can ameliorate most of the ASDs symptomatology; thus, identifying novel therapies is urgently needed. Here, we used the Neuroligin 3 knockout mouse (NLG3-/y), a model that recapitulates the social deficits reported in ASDs patients, to test the effects of systemic administration of IGF-2, a polypeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as a cognitive enhancer. We show that systemic IGF-2 treatment reverses the typical defects in social interaction and social novelty discrimination reflective of ASDs-like phenotypes. This effect was not accompanied by any change in spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic transmission in CA2 hippocampal region, a mechanism found to be crucial for social novelty discrimination. However, in both NLG3+/y and NLG3-/y mice IGF-2 increased cell excitability. Although further investigation is needed to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning IGF-2 effect on social behavior, our findings highlight IGF-2 as a potential pharmacological tool for the treatment of social dysfunctions associated with ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hannah Monyer
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Marilena Griguoli
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the National Council of Research (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
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28
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Socha J, Grochecki P, Smaga I, Jastrzębska J, Wronikowska-Denysiuk O, Marszalek-Grabska M, Slowik T, Kotlinski R, Filip M, Lubec G, Kotlinska JH. Social Interaction in Adolescent Rats with Neonatal Ethanol Exposure: Impact of Sex and CE-123, a Selective Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1041. [PMID: 38256113 PMCID: PMC10816180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) demonstrate deficits in social functioning that contribute to early withdrawal from school and delinquency, as well as the development of anxiety and depression. Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, and social behavior. Thus, we evaluated whether neonatal ethanol exposure (in an animal model of FASDs) has an impact on social recognition memory using the three-chamber social novelty discrimination test during early and middle adolescence in male and female rats, and whether the modafinil analog, the novel atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor CE-123, can modify this effect. Our study shows that male and female rats neonatally exposed to ethanol exhibited sex- and age-dependent deficits in social novelty discrimination in early (male) and middle (female) adolescence. These deficits were specific to the social domain and not simply due to more general deficits in learning and memory because these animals did not exhibit changes in short-term recognition memory in the novel object recognition task. Furthermore, early-adolescent male rats that were neonatally exposed to ethanol did not show changes in the anxiety index but demonstrated an increase in locomotor activity. Chronic treatment with CE-123, however, prevented the appearance of these social deficits. In the hippocampus of adolescent rats, CE-123 increased BDNF and decreased its signal transduction TrkB receptor expression level in ethanol-exposed animals during development, suggesting an increase in neuroplasticity. Thus, selective dopamine reuptake inhibitors, such as CE-123, represent interesting drug candidates for the treatment of deficits in social behavior in adolescent individuals with FASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Socha
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.)
| | - Pawel Grochecki
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.)
| | - Irena Smaga
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (I.S.); (J.J.); (M.F.)
| | - Joanna Jastrzębska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (I.S.); (J.J.); (M.F.)
| | - Olga Wronikowska-Denysiuk
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marta Marszalek-Grabska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Tymoteusz Slowik
- Experimental Medicine Center, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Robert Kotlinski
- Clinical Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Rzeszow, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Filip
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (I.S.); (J.J.); (M.F.)
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Jolanta H. Kotlinska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.)
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29
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Cobb-Lewis D, George A, Hu S, Packard K, Song M, Nguyen-Lopez O, Tesone E, Rowden J, Wang J, Opendak M. The lateral habenula integrates age and experience to promote social transitions in developing rats. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.12.575446. [PMID: 38260652 PMCID: PMC10802604 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Social behavior deficits are an early-emerging marker of psychopathology and are linked with early caregiving quality. However, the infant neural substrates linking early care to social development are poorly understood. Here, we focused on the infant lateral habenula (LHb), a highly-conserved brain region at the nexus between forebrain and monoaminergic circuits. Despite its consistent links to adult psychopathology, this brain region has been understudied in development when the brain is most vulnerable to environmental impacts. In a task combining social and threat cues, suppressing LHb principal neurons had opposing effects in infants versus juveniles, suggesting the LHb promotes a developmental switch in social approach behavior under threat. We observed that early caregiving adversity (ECA) disrupts typical growth curves of LHb baseline structure and function, including volume, firing patterns, neuromodulatory receptor expression, and functional connectivity with cortical regions. Further, we observed that suppressing cortical projections to the LHb rescued social approach deficits following ECA, identifying this microcircuit as a substrate for disrupted social behavior. Together, these results identify immediate biomarkers of ECA in the LHb and highlight this region as a site of early social processing and behavior control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Cobb-Lewis
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Anne George
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Shannon Hu
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | | | - Mingyuan Song
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Oliver Nguyen-Lopez
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Emily Tesone
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Jhanay Rowden
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Julie Wang
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Maya Opendak
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
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30
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Soghomonian JJ. The cortico-striatal circuitry in autism-spectrum disorders: a balancing act. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1329095. [PMID: 38273975 PMCID: PMC10808402 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1329095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The basal ganglia are major targets of cortical inputs and, in turn, modulate cortical function via their projections to the motor and prefrontal cortices. The role of the basal ganglia in motor control and reward is well documented and there is also extensive evidence that they play a key role in social and repetitive behaviors. The basal ganglia influence the activity of the cerebral cortex via two major projections from the striatum to the output nuclei, the globus pallidus internus and the substantia nigra, pars reticulata. This modulation involves a direct projection known as the direct pathway and an indirect projection via the globus pallidus externus and the subthalamic nucleus, known as the indirect pathway. This review discusses the respective contribution of the direct and indirect pathways to social and repetitive behaviors in neurotypical conditions and in autism spectrum disorders.
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31
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Mazzone L, Dooling SW, Volpe E, Uljarević M, Waters JL, Sabatini A, Arturi L, Abate R, Riccioni A, Siracusano M, Pereira M, Engstrand L, Cristofori F, Adduce D, Francavilla R, Costa-Mattioli M, Hardan AY. Precision microbial intervention improves social behavior but not autism severity: A pilot double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:106-116.e6. [PMID: 38113884 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the presence of restricted/repetitive behaviors and social communication deficits. Because effective treatments for ASD remain elusive, novel therapeutic strategies are necessary. Preclinical studies show that L. reuteri selectively reversed social deficits in several models for ASD. Here, in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we tested the effect of L. reuteri (a product containing a combination of strains ATCC-PTA-6475 and DSM-17938) in children with ASD. The treatment does not alter overall autism severity, restricted/repetitive behaviors, the microbiome composition, or the immune profile. However, L. reuteri combination yields significant improvements in social functioning that generalized across different measures. Interestingly, ATCC-PTA-6475, but not the parental strain of DSM-17938, reverses the social deficits in a preclinical mouse model for ASD. Collectively, our findings show that L. reuteri enhances social behavior in children with ASD, thereby warranting larger trials in which strain-specific effects should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mazzone
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Foundation Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sean W Dooling
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Memory and Brain Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Altos Labs, Inc, Bay Area Institute of Science, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA
| | - Elisabetta Volpe
- Molecular Neuroimmunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Tin Alley, Carlton, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jillian L Waters
- Altos Labs, Inc, Bay Area Institute of Science, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA
| | - Andrea Sabatini
- Molecular Neuroimmunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Arturi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Foundation Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Abate
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Foundation Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Assia Riccioni
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Foundation Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Siracusano
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Foundation Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcela Pereira
- Centre for Translational Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Lars Engstrand
- Centre for Translational Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Fernanda Cristofori
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Children's Hospital-Giovanni XXIII, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Adduce
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Children's Hospital-Giovanni XXIII, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Ruggiero Francavilla
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Children's Hospital-Giovanni XXIII, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Costa-Mattioli
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Memory and Brain Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Altos Labs, Inc, Bay Area Institute of Science, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA.
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Skinner M, Hazell M, Jameson J, Lougheed SC. Social networks reveal sex- and age-patterned social structure in Butler's gartersnakes ( Thamnophis butleri). Behav Ecol 2024; 35:arad095. [PMID: 38193014 PMCID: PMC10773305 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arad095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex- and age-based social structures have been well documented in animals with visible aggregations. However, very little is known about the social structures of snakes. This is most likely because snakes are often considered non-social animals and are particularly difficult to observe in the wild. Here, we show that wild Butler's Gartersnakes have an age and sex assorted social structure similar to more commonly studied social animals. To demonstrate this, we use data from a 12-year capture-mark-recapture study to identify social interactions using social network analyses. We find that the social structures of Butler's Gartersnakes comprise sex- and age-assorted intra-species communities with older females often central and age segregation partially due to patterns of study site use. In addition, we find that females tended to increase in sociability as they aged while the opposite occurred in males. We also present evidence that social interaction may provide fitness benefits, where snakes that were part of a social network were more likely to have improved body condition. We demonstrate that conventional capture data can reveal valuable information on social structures in cryptic species. This is particularly valuable as research has consistently demonstrated that understanding social structure is important for conservation efforts. Additionally, research on the social patterns of animals without obvious social groups provides valuable insight into the evolution of group living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Skinner
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
| | - Megan Hazell
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, 99 University Ave, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Joel Jameson
- WSP, 1600 Boulevard Rene-Levesque West, 11th floor, Montreal, QC H3H 1P9, Canada
| | - Stephen C Lougheed
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, 99 University Ave, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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Hasan R. The Multifaceted Role of Oxytocinergic System and OXTR Gene. Glob Med Genet 2024; 11:29-33. [PMID: 38239807 PMCID: PMC10796195 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The article explores the multifaceted role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in human behavior and its connection to the oxytocin receptor ( OXTR ) gene. Oxytocin, produced in specific brain nuclei, is implicated in emotional, social, and maternal behaviors, stress reduction, uterine contraction during childbirth, and lactation. The OXTR gene, located on chromosome 3, encodes oxytocin receptors found in various body parts, including critical brain regions associated with social behaviors. The article delves into studies on rodents, revealing correlations between OXTR gene expression and pair bonding in the prefrontal cortex and social behavior regulation in the amygdala. The discussion extends to the impact of oxytocin on social support-seeking behavior, focusing on a specific genetic variation, rs53576. The article explores how this genetic variation influences empathy, stress reactivity, and susceptibility to disorders such as autism and social anxiety. Furthermore, the article examines structural and functional changes in the brain associated with OXTR gene variations. It discusses the role of DNA methylation in influencing oxytocin receptor availability, affecting social perception and responsiveness to negative stimuli. The article also highlights the oxytocinergic system's involvement in disorders such as autism and social anxiety, emphasizing the interplay between genetics and environmental factors. The article also touches on the potential therapeutic use of exogenous oxytocin in mitigating symptoms associated with these disorders. In summary, the article underscores the intricate relationship between oxytocin, the OXTR gene, and diverse aspects of human behavior, providing insights into social bonding, perception, and the development of behavioral disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakibul Hasan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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Willinger Y, Friedland Cohen DR, Turgeman G. Exogenous IL-17A Alleviates Social Behavior Deficits and Increases Neurogenesis in a Murine Model of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:432. [PMID: 38203599 PMCID: PMC10779042 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the proposed mechanisms for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is immune dysregulation. The proinflammatory cytokine Interleukine-17A (IL-17A) was shown to play a key role in mediating immune-related neurodevelopmental impairment of social behavior. Nevertheless, post-developmental administration of IL-17A was found to increase social behavior. In the present study, we explored the effect of post-developmental administration of IL-17A on ASD-like behaviors induced by developmental exposure to valproic acid (VPA) at postnatal day 4. At the age of seven weeks, VPA-exposed mice were intravenously injected twice with recombinant murine IL-17A (8 μg), and a week later, they were assessed for ASD-like behavior. IL-17A administration increased social behavior and alleviated the ASD-like phenotype. Behavioral changes were associated with increased serum levels of IL-17 and Th17-related cytokines. Exogenous IL-17A also increased neuritogenesis in the dendritic tree of doublecortin-expressing newly formed neurons in the dentate gyrus. Interestingly, the effect of IL-17A on neuritogenesis was more noticeable in females than in males, suggesting a sex-dependent effect of IL-17A. In conclusion, our study suggests a complex role for IL-17A in ASD. While contributing to its pathology at the developmental stage, IL-17 may also promote the alleviation of behavioral deficits post-developmentally by promoting neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis in the dentate gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehoshua Willinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (Y.W.); (D.R.F.C.)
| | - Daniella R. Friedland Cohen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (Y.W.); (D.R.F.C.)
| | - Gadi Turgeman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (Y.W.); (D.R.F.C.)
- The Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
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Ludington SC, McKinney JE, Butler JM, Gaines-Richardson M, O’Connell LA. Activity of FoxP2-positive neurons correlate with tadpole begging behavior. bioRxiv 2023:2023.05.26.542531. [PMID: 37292748 PMCID: PMC10246011 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.542531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Motor function is a critical aspect of social signaling in a wide range of taxa. The transcription factor FoxP2 is well studied in the context of vocal communication in humans, mice, and songbirds, but its role in regulating social signaling in other vertebrate taxa is unclear. We examined the distribution and activity of FoxP2-positive neurons in tadpoles of the mimetic poison frog (Ranitomeya imitator). In this species, tadpoles are reared in isolated plant nurseries and are aggressive to other tadpoles. Mothers provide unfertilized egg meals to tadpoles that perform a begging display by vigorously vibrating back and forth. We found that FoxP2 is widely distributed in the tadpole brain and parallels the brain distribution in mammals, birds, and fishes. We then tested the hypothesis that FoxP2-positive neurons would have differential activity levels in begging or aggression contexts compared to non-social controls. We found that FoxP2-positive neurons showed increased activation in the striatum and cerebellum only during begging. Overall, this work suggests a generalizable role for FoxP2 in social signaling across terrestrial vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julie M. Butler
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Sheng JA, Handa RJ, Tobet SA. Evaluating different models of maternal stress on stress-responsive systems in prepubertal mice. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1292642. [PMID: 38130695 PMCID: PMC10733493 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1292642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Maternal adversity during pregnancy influences neurodevelopment in human and model animal offspring. Adversity can result from stressors coming from many different directions ranging from environmental to nutritional and physiological to immune (e.g., infection). Most stressors result in fetal overexposure to glucocorticoids that have been directly linked to long- and short-term negative impacts on neurological health of offspring. Neuropsychiatric diseases postulated to have fetal origins are diverse and include such things cardiovascular disease, obesity, affective disorders, and metabolic and immune disorders. Methods The experiments in the current study compare 3 stressors: prenatal exposure to dexamethasone (DEX), maternal high fat diet (HFD), and maternal caloric restriction (CR). Offspring of mothers with these treatments were examined prepubertally to evaluate stress responsiveness and stress-related behaviors in in male and female mice. Results Prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoid, DEX, resulted in decreased neonatal body weights, reduced social interaction behavior, and hypoactive stress response offspring exposed to maternal DEX. Maternal CR resulted in decreased body weights and social interaction behavior in males and females and increased anxiety-like behavior and acute stress response only in males. HFD resulted in altered body weight gain in both sex offspring with decreased anxiety-like behavior in a female-biased manner. Discussion The idea that glucocorticoid responses to different stressors might serve as a common stimulus across stress paradigms is insufficient, given that different modes of prenatal stress produced differential effects. Opposite nutritional stressors produced similar outcomes for anxiety-like behavior in both sexes, social-like behavior in females, and a hyperactive adrenal stress response in males. One common theme among the three models of maternal stress (DEX, CR, and HFD) was consistent data showing their role in activating the maternal and fetal immune response. By tuning in on the more immediate immunological aspect on the developing fetus (e.g., hormones, cytokines), additional studies may tease out more direct outcomes of maternal stress in rodents and increase their translational value to human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julietta A. Sheng
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Robert J. Handa
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Stuart A. Tobet
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Mass General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Matsumura T, Esaki K, Yang S, Yoshimura C, Mizuno H. Active Inference With Empathy Mechanism for Socially Behaved Artificial Agents in Diverse Situations. Artif Life 2023:1-21. [PMID: 38018026 DOI: 10.1162/artl_a_00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
This article proposes a method for an artificial agent to behave in a social manner. Although defining proper social behavior is difficult because it differs from situation to situation, the agent following the proposed method adaptively behaves appropriately in each situation by empathizing with the surrounding others. The proposed method is achieved by incorporating empathy into active inference. We evaluated the proposed method regarding control of autonomous mobile robots in diverse situations. From the evaluation results, an agent controlled by the proposed method could behave more adaptively socially than an agent controlled by the standard active inference in the diverse situations. In the case of two agents, the agent controlled with the proposed method behaved in a social way that reduced the other agent's travel distance by 13.7% and increased the margin between the agents by 25.8%, even though it increased the agent's travel distance by 8.2%. Also, the agent controlled with the proposed method behaved more socially when it was surrounded by altruistic others but less socially when it was surrounded by selfish others.
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Mougin C, Chataigner M, Lucas C, Leyrolle Q, Pallet V, Layé S, Bouvret E, Dinel AL, Joffre C. Dietary Marine Hydrolysate Improves Memory Performance and Social Behavior through Gut Microbiota Remodeling during Aging. Foods 2023; 12:4199. [PMID: 38231613 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a decline in social behavior and cognitive functions leading to a decrease in life quality. In a previous study, we show that a fish hydrolysate supplementation prevents age-related decline in spatial short-term memory and long-term memory and anxiety-like behavior and improves the stress response in aged mice. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a fish hydrolysate enriched with EPA/DHA or not on the cognitive ability and social interaction during aging and the biological mechanisms involved. We showed for the first time that a fish hydrolysate enriched with EPA/DHA or not improved memory performance and preference for social novelty that were diminished by aging. These changes were associated with the modulation of the gut microbiota, normalization of corticosterone, and modulation of the expression of genes involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, circadian clock, neuroprotection, and antioxidant activity. Thus, these changes may contribute to the observed improvements in social behavior and memory and reinforced the innovative character of fish hydrolysate in the prevention of age-related impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Mougin
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Abyss Ingredients, 56850 Caudan, France
| | - Mathilde Chataigner
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Abyss Ingredients, 56850 Caudan, France
| | - Céline Lucas
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- NutriBrain Research and Technology Transfer, NutriNeuro, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Quentin Leyrolle
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Véronique Pallet
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sophie Layé
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Anne-Laure Dinel
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- NutriBrain Research and Technology Transfer, NutriNeuro, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Corinne Joffre
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, Nutrineuro, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
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Kaleem Ullah RM, Jia B, Liang S, Sikandar A, Gao F, Wu H. Uncovering the Chemosensory System of a Subterranean Termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) (Isoptera: Termitidae): Revealing the Chemosensory Genes and Gene Expression Patterns. Insects 2023; 14:883. [PMID: 37999082 PMCID: PMC10672159 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Termites are eusocial insects. Chemical signals between colony members are crucial to the smooth running of colony operations, but little is known about their olfactory system and the roles played by various chemosensory genes in this process. Chemosensory genes are involved in basic olfactory perception in insects. Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is one of the most damaging pests to agricultural crops, forests, and human-made structures. To better understand the olfactory system and the genes involved in olfactory processing in O. formosanus, we produced a transcriptome of worker termites. In this study, we identified 13 OforOBPs, 1 OforCSP, 15 OforORs, 9 OforGRs, and 4 OforSNMPs. Multiple sequence alignments were used in the phylogenetic study, which included data from other termite species and a wide variety of insect species. Moreover, we also investigated the mRNA expression levels using qRT-PCR. The significantly high expression levels of OforCSP1, OforOBP2, OforOR1, and OforSNMP1 suggest that these genes may play important roles in olfactory processing in termite social behavior, including caste differentiation, nestmate and non-nestmate discrimination, and the performance of colony operations among members. Our research establishes a foundation for future molecular-level functional studies of chemosensory genes in O. formosanus, which might lead to the identification of novel targets for termite integrated pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Muhammad Kaleem Ullah
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.M.K.U.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Bao Jia
- Nanning Institute of Termite Control, Nanning 530023, China; (B.J.); (S.L.)
| | - Sheng Liang
- Nanning Institute of Termite Control, Nanning 530023, China; (B.J.); (S.L.)
| | - Aatika Sikandar
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.M.K.U.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Fukun Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.M.K.U.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Haiyan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (R.M.K.U.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
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Raman R, Kumar Nair V, Nedungadi P, Ray I, Achuthan K. Darkweb research: Past, present, and future trends and mapping to sustainable development goals. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22269. [PMID: 38058627 PMCID: PMC10695971 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Darkweb, part of the deep web, can be accessed only through specialized computer software and used for illegal activities such as cybercrime, drug trafficking, and exploitation. Technological advancements like Tor, bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies allow criminals to carry out these activities anonymously, leading to increased use of the Darkweb. At the same time, computers have become an integral part of our daily lives, shaping our behavior, and influencing how we interact with each other and the world. This work carries out the bibliometric study on the research conducted on Darkweb over the last decade. The findings illustrate that most research on Darkweb can be clustered into four areas based on keyword co-occurrence analysis: (i) network security, malware, and cyber-attacks, (ii) cybercrime, data privacy, and cryptography, (iii) machine learning, social media, and artificial intelligence, and (iv) drug trafficking, cryptomarket. National Science Foundation from the United States is the top funder. Darkweb activities interfere with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) laid forth by the United Nations to promote peace and sustainability for current and future generations. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) has the highest number of publications and citations but has an inverse relationship with Darkweb, as the latter undermines the former. This study highlights the need for further research in bitcoin, blockchain, IoT, NLP, cryptocurrencies, phishing and cybercrime, botnets and malware, digital forensics, and electronic crime countermeasures about the Darkweb. The study further elucidates the multi-dimensional nature of the Darkweb, emphasizing the intricate relationship between technology, psychology, and geopolitics. This comprehensive understanding serves as a cornerstone for evolving effective countermeasures and calls for an interdisciplinary research approach. The study also delves into the psychological motivations driving individuals towards illegal activities on the Darkweb, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions to promote pro-social online behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Raman
- Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kerala, India
| | - Vinith Kumar Nair
- Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kerala, India
| | - Prema Nedungadi
- Amrita School of Computing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kerala, India
| | - Indrakshi Ray
- Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, USA
| | - Krishnashree Achuthan
- Center for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kerala, India
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Cook PA, Costello RA, Formica VA, Brodie ED. Individual and Population Age Impact Social Behavior and Network Structure in a Long-Lived Insect. Am Nat 2023; 202:667-680. [PMID: 37963123 DOI: 10.1086/726063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
AbstractSocial behaviors vary among individuals, and social networks vary among groups. Understanding the causes of such variation is important for predicting or altering ecological processes such as infectious disease outbreaks. Here, we ask whether age contributes to variation in social behavior at multiple levels of organization: within individuals over time, among individuals of different ages, among local social environments, and among populations. We used experimental manipulations of captive populations and a longitudinal dataset to test whether social behavior is associated with age across these levels in a long-lived insect, the forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus). In cross-sectional analyses, we found that older beetles were less connected in their social networks. Longitudinal data confirmed that this effect was due in part to changes in behavior over time; beetles became less social over 2 years, possibly because of increased social selectivity or reproductive investment. Beetles of different ages also occupied different local social neighborhoods. The effects of age on behavior scaled up: populations of older individuals had fewer interactions, fewer but more variable relationships, longer network path lengths, and lower clustering than populations of young individuals. Age therefore impacted not only individual sociality but also the network structures that mediate critical population processes.
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Herrera K, Maldonado-Ruiz R, Camacho-Morales A, de la Garza AL, Castro H. Maternal methyl donor supplementation regulates the effects of cafeteria diet on behavioral changes and nutritional status in male offspring. Food Nutr Res 2023; 67:9828. [PMID: 37920679 PMCID: PMC10619398 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v67.9828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nutritional status and maternal feeding during the perinatal and postnatal periods can program the offspring to develop long-term health alterations. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between maternal obesity and intellectual disability/cognitive deficits like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring. Experimental findings have consistently been indicating that maternal supplementation with methyl donors, attenuated the social alterations and repetitive behavior in offspring. Objective This study aims to analyze the effect of maternal cafeteria diet and methyl donor-supplemented diets on social, anxiety-like, and repetitive behavior in male offspring, besides evaluating weight gain and food intake in both dams and male offspring. Design C57BL/6 female mice were randomized into four dietary formulas: control Chow (CT), cafeteria (CAF), control + methyl donor (CT+M), and cafeteria + methyl donor (CAF+M) during the pre-gestational, gestational, and lactation period. Behavioral phenotyping in the offspring was performed by 2-month-old using Three-Chamber Test, Open Field Test, and Marble Burying Test. Results We found that offspring prenatally exposed to CAF diet displayed less social interaction index when compared with subjects exposed to Chow diet (CT group). Notably, offspring exposed to CAF+M diet recovered social interaction when compared to the CAF group. Discussion These findings suggest that maternal CAF diet is efficient in promoting reduced social interaction in murine models. In our study, we hypothesized that a maternal methyl donor supplementation could improve the behavioral alterations expected in maternal CAF diet offspring. Conclusions The CAF diet also contributed to a social deficit and anxiety-like behavior in the offspring. On the other hand, a maternal methyl donor-supplemented CAF diet normalized the social interaction in the offspring although it led to an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. These findings suggest that a methyl donor supplementation could protect against aberrant social behavior probably targeting key genes related to neurotransmitter pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Herrera
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud Pública. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Roger Maldonado-Ruiz
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Alberto Camacho-Morales
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Ana Laura de la Garza
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Nutrición, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Heriberto Castro
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud Pública. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Nutrición, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
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Chari T, Hernandez A, Portera-Cailliau C. A Novel Head-Fixed Assay for Social Touch in Mice Uncovers Aversive Responses in Two Autism Models. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7158-7174. [PMID: 37669860 PMCID: PMC10601375 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0226-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Social touch, an important aspect of social interaction and communication, is essential to kinship across animal species. How animals experience and respond to social touch has not been thoroughly investigated, in part because of the lack of appropriate assays. Previous studies that examined social touch in freely moving rodents lacked the necessary temporal and spatial control over individual touch interactions. We designed a novel head-fixed assay for social touch in mice, in which the experimenter has complete control to elicit highly stereotyped bouts of social touch between two animals. The user determines the number, duration, context, and type of social touch interactions, while monitoring an array of complex behavioral responses with high resolution cameras. We focused on social touch to the face because of its high translational relevance to humans. We validated this assay in two different models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and maternal immune activation (MIA) mice. We observed higher rates of avoidance running, hyperarousal, and aversive facial expressions (AFEs) to social touch than to object touch, in both ASD models compared with controls. Fmr1 KO mice showed more AFEs to mice of the same sex but whether they were stranger or familiar mice mattered less. Because this new social touch assay for head-fixed mice can be used to record neural activity during repeated bouts of social touch it could be used to uncover underlying circuit differences.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Social touch is important for communication in animals and humans. However, it has not been extensively studied and current assays to measure animals' responses to social touch have limitations. We present a novel head-fixed assay to quantify how mice respond to social facial touch with another mouse. We validated this assay in autism mouse models since autistic individuals exhibit differences in social interaction and touch sensitivity. We find that mouse models of autism exhibit more avoidance, hyperarousal, and aversive facial expressions (AFEs) to social touch compared with controls. Thus, this novel assay can be used to investigate behavioral responses to social touch and the underlying brain mechanisms in rodent models of neurodevelopmental conditions, and to evaluate therapeutic responses in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trishala Chari
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Ariana Hernandez
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
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Song D, Wang C, Jin Y, Deng Y, Yan Y, Wang D, Zhu Z, Ke Z, Wang Z, Wu Y, Ni J, Qing H, Quan Z. Mediodorsal thalamus-projecting anterior cingulate cortex neurons modulate helping behavior in mice. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4330-4342.e5. [PMID: 37734375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Many species living in groups can perform prosocial behaviors via voluntarily helping others with or without benefits for themselves. To provide a better understanding of the neural basis of such prosocial behaviors, we adapted a preference lever-switching task in which mice can prevent harm to others by switching from using a lever that causes shocks to a conspecific one that does not. We found the harm avoidance behavior was mediated by self-experience and visual and social contact but not by gender or familiarity. By combining single-unit recordings and analysis of neural trajectory decoding, we demonstrated the dynamics of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) neural activity changes synchronously with the harm avoidance performance of mice. In addition, ACC neurons projected to the mediodorsal thalamus (MDL) to modulate the harm avoidance behavior. Optogenetic activation of the ACC-MDL circuit during non-preferred lever pressing (nPLP) and inhibition of this circuit during preferred lever pressing (PLP) both resulted in the loss of harm avoidance ability. This study revealed the ACC-MDL circuit modulates prosocial behavior to avoid harm to conspecifics and may shed light on the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders with dysfunction of prosocial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Song
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chunjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yue Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yujun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Deheng Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zilu Zhu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zunji Ke
- School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yili Wu
- Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Junjun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; Department of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China.
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
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Takenawa S, Nagasawa Y, Go K, Chérasse Y, Mizuno S, Sano K, Ogawa S. Activity of estrogen receptor β expressing neurons in the medial amygdala regulates preference toward receptive females in male mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305950120. [PMID: 37819977 PMCID: PMC10589649 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305950120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The processing of information regarding the sex and reproductive state of conspecific individuals is critical for successful reproduction and survival in males. Generally, male mice exhibit a preference toward the odor of sexually receptive (RF) over nonreceptive females (XF) or gonadally intact males (IM). Previous studies suggested the involvement of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) expressed in the medial amygdala (MeA) in male preference toward RF. To further delineate the role played by ERβ in the MeA in the neuronal network regulating male preference, we developed a new ERβ-iCre mouse line using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Fiber photometry Ca2+ imaging revealed that ERβ-expressing neurons in the postero-dorsal part of the MeA (MeApd-ERβ+ neurons) were more active during social investigation toward RF compared to copresented XF or IM mice in a preference test. Chemogenetic inhibition of MeApd-ERβ+ neuronal activity abolished a preference to RF in "RF vs. XF," but not "RF vs. IM," tests. Analysis with cre-dependent retrograde tracing viral vectors identified the principal part of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNSTp) as a primary projection site of MeApd-ERβ+ neurons. Fiber photometry recording in the BNSTp during a preference test revealed that chemogenetic inhibition of MeApd-ERβ+ neurons abolished differential neuronal activity of BNSTp cells as well as a preference to RF against XF but not against IM mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate for the first time that MeApd-ERβ+ neuronal activity is required for expression of receptivity-based preference (i.e., RF vs. XF) but not sex-based preference (i.e., RF vs. IM) in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Takenawa
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8577, Japan
| | - Yutaro Nagasawa
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8577, Japan
| | - Kim Go
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8577, Japan
| | - Yoan Chérasse
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Seiya Mizuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center and Trans-border Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sano
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8577, Japan
| | - Sonoko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8577, Japan
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Xu K, Geng S, Dou D, Liu X. Relations between Video Game Engagement and Social Development in Children: The Mediating Role of Executive Function and Age-Related Moderation. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:833. [PMID: 37887483 PMCID: PMC10604845 DOI: 10.3390/bs13100833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The global proliferation of video games, particularly among children, has led to growing concerns about the potential impact on children's social development. Executive function is a cognitive ability that plays a crucial role in children's social development, but a child's age constrains its development. To examine the association between video game engagement and children's social development while considering the mediating role of executive function and the moderating role of age, a questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 431 parents. The results revealed a negative relation between video game engagement and social development in children, with executive function found to mediate this relation fully. Additionally, the negative association between video game engagement and executive function became more pronounced as children grew older. In light of these findings, it is advisable to adopt proactive strategies to limit excessive video game use, consider the developmental characteristics of children at different ages, and prioritize the promotion of executive function to facilitate social development among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xu
- College of Preschool Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; (K.X.); (S.G.)
| | - Shuliang Geng
- College of Preschool Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; (K.X.); (S.G.)
| | - Donghui Dou
- School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Xiaocen Liu
- College of Preschool Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; (K.X.); (S.G.)
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Zhang T, Liu SQ, Xia YN, Li BW, Wang X, Li JH. Aging-Related Behavioral Patterns in Tibetan Macaques. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1325. [PMID: 37887035 PMCID: PMC10604545 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Aging can induce changes in social behaviors among humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). Therefore, investigating the aging process in primate species can provide valuable evidence regarding age-related concerns in humans. However, the link between aging and behavioral patterns in nonhuman primates remains poorly comprehended. To address this gap, the present research examined aging-related behaviors exhibited by Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) in their natural habitat in Huangshan, China, during the period from October 2020 to June 2021. We collected behavioral data from 25 adult macaques using different data collection methods, including focal animal sampling and ad libitum sampling methods. We found that among adult female macaques, the frequency of being attacked decreased with their age, and that the frequency of approaching other monkeys also decreased as age increased. In males, however, this was not the case. Our findings demonstrate that older female macaques exhibit active conflict avoidance, potentially attributed to a reduction in the frequency of approaching conspecifics and a decreased likelihood of engaging in conflict behaviors. This study provides some important data for investigating aging in NHPs and confirms that Macaca can exhibit a preference for social partners under aging-related contexts similar to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (T.Z.); (S.-Q.L.)
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Shen-Qi Liu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (T.Z.); (S.-Q.L.)
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ying-Na Xia
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (T.Z.); (S.-Q.L.)
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Bo-Wen Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (T.Z.); (S.-Q.L.)
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Xi Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (T.Z.); (S.-Q.L.)
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jin-Hua Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (T.Z.); (S.-Q.L.)
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei 230601, China
- School of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230601, China
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Ye T, Minato T, Sakai K, Sumioka H, Hamilton A, Ishiguro H. Human-like interactions prompt people to take a robot's perspective. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1190620. [PMID: 37881218 PMCID: PMC10597719 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1190620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing need for human-robot interaction requires not only robots to understand how humans think, but also humans to understand robots. Interestingly, little attention has been given to how humans interpret robots' behaviors. In this study, we adopted a social mental rotation task and investigated whether socially engaging behaviors could influence how people take a robot's perspectives. In a real lab, two android robots with neutral appearance sat opposite each other by a table with conflicting perspectives. Before the participant started the experiment, one of the robots behaved more interactively than the other by showing more socially engaging behaviors. Then the participant was required to identify rotated normal or mirrored digits presented inbetween the two robots. Results revealed a significant interactive effect between the digits type (normal; mirrored) and robot type (interactive; noninteractive). When digits were oriented to the interactive robot, we found a larger RT difference between normal and mirrored digits. In general, these findings suggested that robots' interactive behaviors could influence how people spontaneously consider the robot's perspective. Future studies may further consider how interactive behaviors can shape human-robot relationships and facilitate human-robot interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Ye
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Takashi Minato
- RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters, Guardian Robot Project, Keihanna Science City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kurima Sakai
- Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Keihanna Science City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hidenobu Sumioka
- Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Keihanna Science City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Antonia Hamilton
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroshi Ishiguro
- Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Keihanna Science City, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Langager MM, Adelman JS, Hawley DM. Let's stick together: Infection enhances preferences for social grouping in a songbird species. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10627. [PMID: 37841224 PMCID: PMC10576248 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute infections can alter foraging and movement behaviors relevant to sociality and pathogen spread. However, few studies have directly examined how acute infections caused by directly transmitted pathogens influence host social preferences. While infected hosts often express sickness behaviors (e.g., lethargy) that can reduce social associations with conspecifics, enhanced sociality during infection might be favored in some systems if social grouping improves host survival of infection. Directly assaying social preferences of infected hosts is needed to elucidate potential changes in social preferences that may act as a form of behavioral tolerance (defined as using behavior to minimize fitness costs of infection). We tested how infection alters sociality in juvenile house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), which are both highly gregarious and particularly susceptible to infection by the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). We inoculated 33 wild-caught but captive-held juvenile house finches with MG or media (sham control). At peak infection, birds were given a choice assay to assess preference for associating near a flock versus an empty cage. We then repeated this assay after all birds had recovered from infection. Infected birds were significantly more likely than controls to spend time associating with, and specifically foraging near, the flock. However, after infected birds had recovered from MG infection, there were no significant differences in the amount of time birds in each treatment spent with the flock. These results indicate augmented social preferences during active infection, potentially as a form of behavioral tolerance. Notably, infected birds showed strong social preferences regardless of variation in disease severity or pathogen loads, with 14/19 harboring high loads (5-6 log10 copies of MG) at the time of the assay. Overall, our results show that infection with a directly transmitted pathogen can augment social preferences, with important implications for MG spread in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James S. Adelman
- Department of Biological SciencesThe University of MemphisMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Dana M. Hawley
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVirginiaUSA
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Washbourne P. Can we model autism using zebrafish? Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:453-458. [PMID: 37623916 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common, heritable neuropsychiatric disorders in the world, affecting almost 1% of the population. The core symptoms used to diagnose ASD are decreased social interaction and increased repetitive behaviors. Despite the large number of affected individuals, the precise mechanisms that cause this disorder remain unclear. The identification of genes and environmental factors associated with ASD allows the study of the underlying mechanisms in animal models. Although ASD presents as a human disorder, based on recent advances in understanding their brain anatomy, physiology, behavior, and evolutionary conservation of neuronal cell types, I propose that zebrafish may provide novel insights into the etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Washbourne
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
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