Behavioral characterization of ayahuasca treatment on Wistar rats in the open field test

Abstract Ayahuasca (AYA) is a psychedelic beverage with therapeutic potential for many mood and anxiety disorders. Although there are some preclinical studies, no published reports have tested the behavioral effects of AYA gavage in animal models. This investigation aimed to characterize the behavior of Wistar rats after acute ingestion of AYA for 40 min in the open field test (OFT). The sample consisted of three experimental groups treated with different dosages of AYA (125, 250, or 500 mg kg-1) and a control group. Each group consisted of 10 participants. After gavage, the number of crossings of the OFT grid lines, latency to enter the central area of the device, grooming frequency, and time spent in the central perimeter of the device were immediately evaluated. Analyses were based on one-way ANOVA and a linear-regression mixture model for longitudinal data. AYA intake did not interfere with habituation. The 500 mg kg-1 group showed a decrease in the time spent in the center of the device and in the number of crossings compared to the control group in the last 10 min. These results suggest that gavage with AYA did not interfere with the results, and the behavioral effects were perceived only between 30 and 40 min after gavage. Taken together, the results indicate that three aspects should be considered in OFT studies of AYA acute effects: the moment when the observation starts, the observation period, and the AYA dosage.

Behavioral tests of mood-cognitive impairment of mice exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation exposure on the mood-cognitive behaviors of mice, and to provide an experimental basis for the study on radiation damage mechanism and protection. Methods The electromagnetic reverberation chamber can produce continuous and uniform high-frequency electromagnetic waves. Different groups of ICR mice were exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation in this chamber for 1 d, 3 d and 7 d, and then series of behavioral tests were conducted to observe the changes in locomotor activities,depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors, and cognitive function of the mice. Results After exposed to the high-frequency electromagnetic radiation(3 GHz,SAR 4 W/kg)4 h/d for 7 d,there was no obvious change in locomotor activity(times of grid crossing and standing up in the open field test)of the mice,while the times of entering the central region(P< 0.05)and the time duration(P< 0.05)were significantly decreased. Compared with the unexposed group, the percentage of the times of entering the open arm in the elevated-plus maze(P< 0.05)and the time duration in the open arm(P< 0.01)of the mice in the radiation group were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the immobility time in the forced-swimming test(P< 0.01)and the tail suspension test(P < 0.05)of the mice exposed to electromagnetic radiation was significantly increased, and the discrimination index of new objects in the new object recognition test was significantly reduced(P < 0.001). Conclusions Continual exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation(3 GHz,SAR 4 W/kg)can lead to anxious-depression behaviors and cognitive impairment of mice in a time-dependent manner,which provides an experimental basis for the relevant study of prevention and therapy techniques.

X-PloRat: A Software for Scoring Animal Behavior in Enclosed Spaces / X-PloRat: Software para o Registro do Comportamento em Espaços Confinados

ABSTRACT The present technical note introduces the X-PloRat, a software for the scoring of animal location, displacement, and other behavioral properties, in enclosed spaces. The X-PloRat offers a variety of data reports and can be used for training students in behavioral observation and in validating other kinds of scoring procedures.

RESUMO A presente nota técnica apresenta o X-PloRat, um software que permite o registro da localização, deslocamento e outras propriedades do comportamento animal em espaços confinados. O X-PloRat oferece uma grande variedade de relatórios e pode ajudar no treinamento de estudantes em observação do comportamento e também na validação de outros tipos de registros.

Progress of behavioral tests in rat models of Parkinson’ s disease / 中国实验动物学报

Parkinson’ s disease ( PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by resting tremor, muscular rigidity, akinesia and postural reflex impairment.Behavioral tests of PD in animal models are essential for under-standing the pathogenesis of PD as well as for the development and testing of potential therapeutics .Here we mainly use the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced rat model, to introduce a review on the research progress in non-drug-induced be-havioral tests of motor function in PD rats.

Dependence Potential of Tramadol: Behavioral Pharmacology in Rodents

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic agent that has been the subject of a series of case reports suggesting potential for misuse or abuse. However, it is not a controlled substance and is not generally considered addictive in Korea. In this study, we examined the dependence potential and abuse liability of tramadol as well as its effect on the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in rodents. In animal behavioral tests, tramadol did not show any positive effects on the experimental animals in climbing, jumping, and head twitch tests. However, in the conditioned place preference and self-administration tests, the experimental animals showed significant positive responses. Taken together, tramadol affected the neurological systems related to abuse liability and has the potential to lead psychological dependence.

Di-(n-butyl)-phthalate-induced oxidative stress and depression-like behavior in mice with or without ovalbumin immunization / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between atopic allergy and depression and the role of DBP in the development of depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BALB/c mice were randomly divided into eight groups: saline; ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized; saline+DBP (0.45 mg/kg•d); saline+DBP (45 mg/kg•d); DBP (0.45 mg/kg•d) OVA-immunized; DBP (45 mg/kg•d) OVA-immunized; saline+hydrocortisone (30 mg/kg•d); and hydrocortisone (30 mg/kg•d)-exposed OVA-immunized. Behavior (e.g. open-field, tail suspension, and forced swimming tests), viscera coefficients (brain and spleen), oxidative damage [e.g. reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH)], as well as levels of IgE and IL-4, were then analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the saline and OVA groups, the degree of depression symptoms in mice increased with increasing DBP concentration. Additionally, the OVA-immunity groups were associated with more serious depressive behavior compared with the same exposure concentration in the saline group. Oxidative damage was associated with a dose-dependent increase in DBP in the different groups. IL-4 and IgE levels were associated with low-dose DBP stimulation, which changed to high-dose inhibition with increasing DBP exposure, possibly due to spleen injury seen at high DBP concentrations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Development of an atopic allergy has the potential to increase the risk of depression in mice, and it seems that DBP helps OVA to exert its effect in our present model. Moreover, the results of our study implicate a certain connection between brain oxidative stress and depression, which deserves a further exploration.</p>

Use of Behavioral Analysis in Animal Models for Schizophrenia Research / 대한정신분열병학회지

Animal models are useful tools to study the molecular basis of schizophrenia pathophysiology and efficacy of potential therapeutic agents. Schizophrenia animal models can be subdivided into three classes ; drug-induced models, genetic models, and environmental models and each model is designed based on specific traits corresponding to the characteristic symptoms of human schizophrenia patients. Psychomotor agitation and sensitivity to psychotomimetic drugs are often thought to reflect positive symptoms. Social interaction deficits and affective impairments are known to correspond to negative symptoms. Also, cognitive symptoms have been linked to the working memory impairments, attention deficits and related cognitive deficits in animals. To analyze such components in quantifiable manners, various behavioral paradigms have been developed and utilized. Here, we overview these animal models, focusing on underlying rationales for their use in the context of schizophrenia research.

Obtención de valores normativos en la evaluación de la función auditiva central / Obtaining normative values in the evaluation of central auditory function

El Procesamiento Auditivo se refiere a la eficiencia y eficacia con que el sistema nervioso central utiliza la informaciónauditiva e incluye todos aquellos procesos y mecanismos auditivos responsables de los siguientes fenómenos conductuales: localización y lateralización del sonido, discriminación auditiva, aspectos temporales de la audición y desempeño auditivo frente a determinadas señales acústicas. La evaluación de dicho procesamiento permite la identificación y el diagnóstico de alteraciones en alguno de dichos procesos. En el presente estudio se investigó el Procesamiento Auditivo Central a través de la aplicación de pruebas conductuales verbales y no verbales a fin de obtener valores de referencia para cada una de ellas. Se trabajó con una muestra de 28 jóvenes universitarios, entre 20 y 30 años de edad, de ambos sexos, evaluados durante el período mayo-noviembre de 2011. Las pruebas conductualesno verbales utilizadas fueron: Masking Level Difference (MLD), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), PitchPattern Sequence (PPS) y Duration Pattern Sequence (DPS) y las pruebas conductuales verbales, Habla en el ruido,Fusión biaural, Habla filtrada y Dígitos dicóticos. Se obtuvieron valores de referencia para cada una de las pruebasaplicadas. Los resultados parciales obtenidos resultaron similares a los referidos por otros autores. La evaluación de los procesos centrales debe formar parte de la valoración auditiva de todos aquellos pacientes en los que se sospecha algún tipo de disfunción central. Es fundamental sistematizar el uso de pruebas que permitan la detección precoz deestos trastornos para poder implementar un tratamiento adecuado dentro de un equipo interdisciplinario.

Auditory processing refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which the central nervous system uses auditory information and includes all hearing processes and mechanisms responsible for the following behavioral phenomena: sound localization and lateralization, auditory discrimination, temporal aspects of hearing and auditory performance when facedwith certain acoustic signals. The assessment of this process allows the identification and diagnosis of changes in any of these processes. Central Auditory Processing was investigated through the application of verbal and nonverbal behavioral tests to obtain reference values for each. The sample of 28 university students, between 20 and 30 years old, of both sexes, was evaluated during the period May-November 2011. Nonverbal behavioral tests used were: Masking Level Difference (MLD), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), Pitch Pattern Sequence (PPS) and Duration Pattern Sequence (DPS).Verbal behavioral tests applied were Speech in Noise, Binaural Fusion, Filtered Speech and Dichotic Digits. Referencevalues were obtained for each of the tests applied. Partial results were similar to those reported by other authors. The evaluation of central processes must be part of the assessment hearing in all patients with suspected some sort of Central dysfunction. It is essential to systematize the use of evidence to enable the early detection of these disorders in order to implementappropriate treatment within an interdisciplinary team.

Dependence Potential of Quetiapine: Behavioral Pharmacology in Rodents

Quetiapine is an atypical or second-generation antipsychotic agent and has been a subject of a series of case report and suggested to have the potential for misuse or abuse. However, it is not a controlled substance and is not generally considered addictive. In this study, we examined quetiapine's dependence potential and abuse liability through animal behavioral tests using rodents to study the mechanism of quetiapine. Molecular biology techniques were also used to find out the action mechanisms of the drug. In the animal behavioral tests, quetiapine did not show any positive effect on the experimental animals in the climbing, jumping, and conditioned place preference tests. However, in the head twitch and self-administration tests, the experimental animals showed significant positive responses. In addition, the action mechanism of quetiapine was found being related to dopamine and serotonin release. These results demonstrate that quetiapine affects the neurological systems related to abuse liability and has the potential to lead psychological dependence, as well.

Effects of Octacosanol on Behavioral Impairments in Rats with Parkinson's Disease Induced by 6-hydroxydopamine / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the effects of octacosanol on the behavioral impairments in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD) inducedby 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Methods The SD rats were divided into the control group (n=15), the model group (n=15), the low dosegroup (n=12), the medium dose group (n=12) and the high dose group (n=12). 6-OHDA was stereotactically injected into the right striatumof the rats at 2 sites to produce PD models. The treatment groups received octacosanol with the dose of 17.5 mg/kg, 35 mg/kg or 70 mg/kgfor 2 weeks. They were tested with apomorphine-induced rotation test, the modified Morris Water Maze, and rotarod test. Results The contralateralrotation in 30 min and escape latency were less in the medium and high dose groups than in the model group (P<0.05); the latencyand total time in the rotarod test were significantly less in all the treatment groups than in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion Octacosanolcan decrease the impaired behaviors of rats with PD induced by 6-OHDA.

Rasgos del temperamento de los perros domésticos (Canis familiaris): evaluaciones conductuales / Temperament traits of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Behavioural tests

Los rasgos del temperamento se definen como tendencias conductuales estables entre situaciones similares y a lo largo del tiempo. En el presente trabajo se revisan las pruebas conductuales diseñadas para la evaluación de rasgos aislados del temperamento en los perros domésticos. Para cada dimensión se describen los estímulos empleados, las respuestas evaluadas y el correlato fisiológico de las mismas. Los rasgos más estudiados fueron la temerosidad, la agresividad y la sociabilidad. Sin embargo, sólo la primera cuenta con correlatos fisiológicos bien establecidos. Finalmente, las evaluaciones conductuales resultan de suma importancia para la selección de los perros para las distintas funciones que cumplen en la sociedad humana: detección de drogas, compañía, guardia, rescate de personas, etc.

A temperament trait is defined as a stable behavioral tendency along time and among similar situations. This study intends to analyze the behavioral tests designed for the evaluation of isolated temperamental traits of domestic dogs. The type of stimulus used, the behaviors evaluated and the physiological substrates are described for each dimension. Fearfulness, aggressiveness and sociability were the most studied traits. Nevertheless, only the first one has well established physiological bases. Finally, behavioral tests are of great relevance for selecting dogs for the different roles that they perform in human society, such as drug detection, company, security, human rescue, etc.

The Neurophysiological Approaches in Animal Experiments

The neurophysiological study has been widely used in search of the relationship between brain and behavior. The basic techniques for the animal experiments of this kind such as stereotaxic techniques, lesioning methods the methods the methods of electrical stimulation and recording and confirmation of histological location were briefly reviewed. Nevertheless the importance of complementary neurochemical, neuroanatomical and behavioral studies can not be neglected.