ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: While social cognition is shown to be impaired in several mental disorders, the effects of cannabis on social cognition are still not clear. Past studies have used the multifaceted empathy test (MET) to study social cognition. This study aims to test the validity of the MET Spanish version and to evaluate the effects of cannabis use on social cognition. METHODS: In total 116 participants from a Cannabis Social Club (CSC) completed the MET and the reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET) under the effects of cannabis and were compared to 86 university students (control group). Internal consistency and convergent validity were assessed. Cognitive empathy (CE) and emotional empathy (EE) were tested in both groups. RESULTS: The MET CE scale shows low internal consistency, while the EE scale shows high internal consistency. Items showed similar difficulty for both groups. Cannabis users showed deficient overall emotional recognition, with reduced scores associated with positive stimuli. Overall scores for EE were similar for both groups, but the experimental group scored lower with negative stimuli when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: This study validates the MET Spanish version for its use in future studies. Results confirmed deficient emotional recognition in cannabis users and a dampened reaction to negative stimuli for the first time.
ABSTRACT
Dementia is a syndrome resulting from chronic or progressive brain disease. Around 40% of worldwide dementia can be prevented or delayed by modifying 12 risk factors: low educational attainment in early life, mid-life hypertension, mid-life obesity, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, social isolation, diabetes mellitus, and air pollution. There is growing evidence that gastrointestinal tract microbiota may significantly contribute to dementia pathogenesis. In particular, gut dysbiosis can trigger metabolic diseases and the progression of low-grade systemic inflammation, being involved in much of the major modifiable risk factors. In this review, we focus on studies that have evaluated the association between modifiable risk factors for dementia and the role of gut microbiota. We also suggest clinical implications for researchers in dementia-gut microbiota related fields.
Subject(s)
Dementia , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Dementia/epidemiology , Dementia/etiology , Dementia/prevention & control , Dysbiosis/complications , Humans , Inflammation/complications , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The petrochemical industry has made the economic development of many local communities possible, increasing employment opportunities and generating a complex network of closely-related secondary industries. However, it is known that petrochemical industries emit air pollutants, which have been related to different negative effects on mental health. In addition, many people around the world are being exposed to highly stressful situations deriving from the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns adopted by national and regional governments. The present study aims to analyse the possible differential effects on various psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression and emotional regulation strategies) stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown experienced by individuals living near an important petrochemical complex and subjects living in other areas, nonexposed to the characteristic environmental pollutants emitted by these kinds of complex. The sample consisted of 1607 subjects who answered an ad hoc questionnaire on lockdown conditions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The results indicate that people living closer to petrochemical complexes reported greater risk perception [K = 73.42, p < 0.001, with a medium size effect (η2 = 0.061)]. However, no significant relationship between psychological variables and proximity to the focus was detected when comparing people living near to or far away from a chemical/petrochemical complex. Regarding the adverse psychological effects of the first lockdown due to COVID-19 on the general population in Catalonia, we can conclude that the conditions included in this survey were mainly related to changes in the participants' impulsivity levels, with different total impulsivity scores being obtained if they had minors in their care (p<0.001), if they had lost their jobs, if they were working (p<0.001), if they were not telecommuting (p<0.001), if they went out to work (p<0.001) or if they established routines (p = 0.009). However, we can also be fairly certain that the economic effects are going to be worse than those initially detected in this study. More research will be necessary to corroborate our results.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/psychology , Quarantine/psychology , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Health , Pandemics/statistics & numerical data , Spain , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Only a small percentage of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are diagnosed before they are three years old, although earlier detection and intervention would reduce the disabilities associated with the disorder. In addition, as children get older, treatments are more costly and difficult and the results less satisfactory. Considering the importance of detecting autism early, the objective of this study is to identify the instruments that can be used to detect signs of autism before children are 2 years old, and which of these instruments have been validated in the Spanish population. By searching in several research databases, we compared the existing instruments and their main characteristics. We found that some instruments can be used to assess a possible autism spectrum disorder before children are 2 years old, with acceptable sensitivity, specificity and reliability indexes. However, only a few instruments have been validated for the Spanish population, some of which have not been specifically designed for early detection. For this reason, a tool needs to be developed to detect the warning signs of autism spectrum disorders before the age of 2 which can be applied as part of the protocol for pediatric check-ups
No disponible
Subject(s)
Humans , Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis , Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Early Diagnosis , Psychometrics/methods , Neuropsychological Tests/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: People with intellectual developmental disorders have significant health disparities and a lack of proper attention to their health needs. They have been underrepresented in scientific research, and very few studies have been carried out using a representative randomized sample. The aim of this study was to describe the methods used in the POMONA-ESP project to recruit a representative and randomized sample of participants with intellectual developmental disorders. METHODS: The POMONA-ESP project is an observational cross-sectional study. It aims to explore the health status of people with intellectual developmental disorders across Spain and the use they make of health services. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results of the POMONA-ESP project may have a major impact on people with intellectual developmental disorders and society in general. It is the first study to obtain geographically representative epidemiological data from a large sample, information that is fundamental to improving care and healthcare planning for people with intellectual developmental disorders.
Subject(s)
Intellectual Disability , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Severity of Illness Index , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/classification , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Intellectual Disability/physiopathology , Intellectual Disability/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Spain/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to summarize the main results of the POMONA-ESP project, the first study to explore health status in a large representative, randomized and stratified sample of people with intellectual developmental disorders in Spain. METHODS: The POMONA-ESP project collected information about the health of 953 individuals with intellectual developmental disorders. RESULTS: Diseases such as urinary incontinence, oral problems, epilepsy, constipation or obesity were highly prevalent among the participants; with gender-differentiated prevalences for certain conditions, and age and intellectual disability level as risk factors for disease. Overmedication was common in the sample, and drugs were often prescribed without any clinical indication or follow-up. The present authors also found a lack of important relevant information about the participant's health and a lack of adequate genetic counselling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of health status and needs of people with intellectual developmental disorders and suggest several courses of action to improve their health care.
Subject(s)
Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Health Status Indicators , Intellectual Disability , Medical Overuse/statistics & numerical data , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Comorbidity , Female , Health Status Disparities , Humans , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Intellectual Disability/physiopathology , Intellectual Disability/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Spain/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cholinergic deficits play an important role in both cognitive and behavioural alterations in Alzheimer's disease. This study was aimed at evaluating the possible therapeutic role of PNU-282987 (PNU), an α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist, and the possible effects of stress in precipitating the onset of behavioural deficits in animals with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: B6C3-Tg mice with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and wild-type mice either with or without restraint stress received 0- or 1-mg/kg PNU. At 12 months old, mice were evaluated for activity levels, anxiety-like levels, and spatial learning and memory. RESULTS: Data did not show the effects of PNU on activity and anxiety-like behaviour. No effect of PNU on acquisition of a spatial learning task was detected, but a reversal of stress effects on retention in the Morris water maze was observed in transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed in order to better understand the role of α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonists in motor activity, anxiety, and spatial learning and memory and to develop more accurate pharmacological treatment of psychopathological diseases.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology , Benzamides/therapeutic use , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/therapeutic use , Cognition/drug effects , Maze Learning/drug effects , Motor Activity/drug effects , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/agonists , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Animals , Anxiety , Benzamides/pharmacology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Male , Memory , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Spatial Behavior/drug effects , Stress, Psychological/complications , alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/metabolismABSTRACT
Introducción. Las terapias asistidas con animales están cada vez más presentes en diferentes ámbitos educativos y sanitarios. El objetivo del presente estudio es valorar la efectividad de este tipo de intervenciones en la población de edad avanzada residente en centros privados. Material y métodos. Se diseñó un programa de intervención asistida por un perro en el que participaron 16 usuarios de una residencia geriátrica, divididos en un grupo experimental y un grupo control, durante 12 semanas. Resultados. Se evaluaron diferentes variables físicas y psicológicas antes y después de la intervención y, mientras que en el grupo control no se encontraron diferencias significativas, en el grupo experimental aparecieron mejoras posteriores a la intervención. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos refuerzan la hipótesis de que las terapias asistidas con animales pueden resultar beneficiosas para las personas de la tercera edad residentes en centros geriátricos (AU)
Introduction. Animal-assisted therapy is increasingly present in several educational and health areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of such interventions in the elderly population living in residential settings. Materials and methods. A 12-week dog-assisted intervention program was designed, with 16 participants from a nursing home divided into an experimental group and a control group. Results. Several physical and psychological variables were assessed before and after the intervention. While there were no significant differences in the control group, the experimental group improved significantly after participating in the program. Discussion. The results support the hypothesis that animal-assisted interventions may be beneficial for residents in elderly care homes (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Animal Assisted Therapy/methods , Animal Assisted Therapy/organization & administration , Animal Assisted Therapy/trends , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/prevention & control , Evaluation of the Efficacy-Effectiveness of Interventions , Control Groups , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Cognitive Aging/psychology , Helsinki DeclarationABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Animal-assisted therapy is increasingly present in several educational and health areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of such interventions in the elderly population living in residential settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 12-week dog-assisted intervention program was designed, with 16 participants from a nursing home divided into an experimental group and a control group. RESULTS: Several physical and psychological variables were assessed before and after the intervention. While there were no significant differences in the control group, the experimental group improved significantly after participating in the program. DISCUSSION: The results support the hypothesis that animal-assisted interventions may be beneficial for residents in elderly care homes.
Subject(s)
Animal Assisted Therapy , Homes for the Aged , Aged , Animals , Dogs , Female , Humans , Male , Nursing HomesABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to test the effects of PNU-282987 on spatial learning and memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in both intact and chronically stressed transgenic mice. Transgenic mice with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD) under immobilization stress and not-stressed animals receiving 0 and 1 mg/kg of PNU-282987 (PNU) were evaluated in a water maze task. The effects of PNU and stress on proliferation of new cells in the hippocampus of these animals were also assessed. The latency to escape the platform was significantly higher in transgenic stressed mice compared to those in the wild stressed group, as well as in transgenic animals without PNU compared to control wild group. On retention of the task, differences emerged on stressed wild animals, PNU wild group, and stressed wild mice receiving PNU. However, no significant differences were detected on new cell proliferation. The results of the present study did not show any impact of stress in acquisition of a spatial task both in wild and transgenic mice. No clear effects of PNU on acquisition of a spatial task in transgenic mice with susceptibility to AD were detected. Although PNU and stress effects were detected on retention of the task in wild animals, no changes were noted in transgenic mice.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology , Benzamides/therapeutic use , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/therapeutic use , Memory , Space Perception , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/agonists , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Animals , Benzamides/pharmacology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/pharmacology , Bromodeoxyuridine/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Male , Maze Learning/drug effects , Memory/drug effects , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Nicotinic Agonists/pharmacology , Nicotinic Agonists/therapeutic use , Space Perception/drug effects , Stress, Psychological/complications , Time Factors , alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/metabolismABSTRACT
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD) are also seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD), being agitation and anxiety common symptoms. Since cholinergic agonists used to be the first pharmacological intervention in AD and this neurotransmission system have been related to cognitive and behavioral symptoms in this serious disease, we here address the question of a possible therapeutic role of PNU-282987 (PNU), an alpha7 nicotinic agonist, in motor activity and anxiety-like behaviors in an animal model of AD. On the other hand, since stress is an unavoidable condition in our daily activities, which activates physiological systems and deregulates body's homeostasis, we also evaluated the possible precipitating effects of stress in the onset of behavioral deficits in animals with susceptibility to AD. A dose of 0 or 1 mg/kg of PNU was administered to transgenic mice under restrained stress or not, resulting in 4 experimental groups: SAL, PNU, SAL-STR, PNU-STR. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the possible therapeutic role of PNU- 282987 alpha7 nicotinic agonist in motor activity and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as the possible effects of stress in precipitating the onset of behavioral deficits in animals with susceptibility to AD. The present results suggest a differential effect of stress (p=0.011) and PNU (p= 0.009) on anxiety evaluated in an open field depending on genetic vulnerability. Moreover, PNU seems to reverse stress effects in the same apparatus. This was also observed when a more sensitive task such as the zero maze was used.
Subject(s)
Anxiety/therapy , Benzamides/therapeutic use , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/therapeutic use , Movement Disorders/therapy , Nicotinic Agonists/therapeutic use , Restraint, Physical/methods , Alzheimer Disease/complications , Alzheimer Disease/genetics , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Anxiety/etiology , Benzamides/pharmacology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Exploratory Behavior/drug effects , Humans , Male , Maze Learning/drug effects , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Movement Disorders/etiology , Mutation , Nicotinic Agonists/pharmacology , Presenilin-1/geneticsABSTRACT
The role of aluminum (Al) in Alzheimer disease is highly controversial. However, this element has been detected in neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in patients with Alzheimer disease. Its presence in neuritic plaques in hippocampus is especially relevant, as this is an area closely related to spatial learning and memory. In this study, the diet of wild-type and Tg2576 mice (animals overexpressing the human amyloid precursor protein) was supplemented with Al lactate (1 mg/g). General neurotoxic Al effects were evaluated using a functional observational battery and a novel object recognition task. Four experimental groups were used: Control-wild, Al-wild, Control-Tg, and Al-Tg mice. The results show a decreased home-cage activity and an increase in piloerection in all Al-exposed animals, and an increased sensorimotor reactivity in Tg2576 mice given Al. Neither Al treatment nor genotype had any noticeable effect on corticosterone levels and Al concentrations in frontal cortex and cerebellum of the mice. Recognition memory was impaired in Tg2576 mice, whereas ß-amyloid plaque depositions were observed in all these animals. However, Al did not alter the recognition memory and ß-amyloid plaque loads of Tg2576 mice.
Subject(s)
Aluminum Compounds/toxicity , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism , Lactates/toxicity , Memory/drug effects , Plaque, Amyloid/physiopathology , Recognition, Psychology/drug effects , Administration, Oral , Aging , Aluminum Compounds/administration & dosage , Alzheimer Disease/genetics , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Hippocampus/metabolism , Humans , Lactates/administration & dosage , Male , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Plaque, Amyloid/metabolismABSTRACT
The cholinergic system is closely related to learning and memory processes, and its neurodegeneration seems to be involved in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric cognitive disorders in the elderly. Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have recently been shown to mediate neuroprotection and enhance cognitive performance in a variety of tasks, suggesting that there may be a new target for the pharmacotherapy of cognitive deficiencies. In this study, we investigated the behavioral effects of the acute and sub-chronic administration of 0, 1, 3, and 5 mg/kg of PNU-282987 (PNU) on motor activity, anxiety and learning in open-field and Morris water maze tasks in mice. Our results showed that the highest dose of PNU (5 mg/kg) diminished motor activity in the open-field following 5 and 12 days of administration (acute and sub-chronic, respectively). No effects on the acquisition of the Morris water maze were observed. However, only 1 mg/kg of PNU administered just before training trials over a period of 5 days showed beneficial effects on the retention of the water maze when evaluated 4 h after water maze acquisition. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects on the cognitive performance and potential neuroprotection of these agents in an elderly population with slight or severe deficiency in learning and memory processes, and/or in animal models vulnerable to neurodegenerative disorders.
Subject(s)
Benzamides/pharmacology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds/pharmacology , Cognition/drug effects , Maze Learning/drug effects , Motor Activity/drug effects , Retention, Psychology/drug effects , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Anxiety/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Mice , Nicotinic Agonists/pharmacology , Random Allocation , Receptors, Nicotinic/metabolism , Spatial Behavior/drug effects , alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine ReceptorABSTRACT
Nowadays, very little information concerning the effects on behavior in mammals of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a widely distributed persistent environmental pollutant, is available. In the present study, we assessed the behavioral effects of PFOS on 3 months old mice after 1 month of exposure to this pollutant. Thirty adult mice were divided into three groups. Animals were given by gavage 0, 3, and 6 mg PFOS/kg/day for four consecutive weeks. After the treatment period, mice were evaluated for several skills by testing motor and sensory function by means of a functional observation battery (FOB), general activity and exploratory behavior in an open-field, and learning and memory in a water maze task. One week after behavioral testing, serum was collected for corticosterone analyses. No adverse effects were observed in the FOB. In general terms, activity in the open-field was similar in all groups being the only observed differences limited to the group given PFOS at 3mg/kg/day (spent less time in the center) and the group exposed to 6 mg PFOS/kg/day) (reduced rate of vertical activity). Concerning the effects of PFOS in the water maze, although all animals learned the task, no effect of the dose was observed during the acquisition. In the retention test, a deleterious effect of PFOS was noted. These results indicate that PFOS exposure induced only slight behavioral effects in adult male mice.
Subject(s)
Alkanesulfonic Acids/toxicity , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity , Fluorocarbons/toxicity , Animals , Corticosterone/blood , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Exploratory Behavior/drug effects , Male , Maze Learning/drug effects , Memory/drug effects , Mice , Motor Activity/drug effects , No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level , Postural Balance/drug effects , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Since reports that precursor cells in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) contribute to regenerative neuro- and gliogenesis in CA1, we wondered whether a similar route of migration might also exist under physiological conditions. Permanent labeling of SVZ precursor cells with a lentiviral vector for green fluorescent protein did not reveal any migration from the SVZ into CA1 in the intact murine brain. However, in a nestin-GFP reporter mouse we found proliferating cells within the corpus callosum/alveus region expressing nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein similar to precursor cells in the neighboring neurogenic region of the adult dentate gyrus. Within 3 weeks of BrdU administration, BrdU-positive nestin-GFP-expressing protoplasmic astrocytes emerged in CA1. Similar to precursor cells isolated from the dentate gyrus and the SVZ, nestin-GFP-expressing cells from corpus callosum/alveus were self-renewing and multipotent in vitro, whereas cells isolated from CA1 were not. Nestin-GFP-expressing cells in CA1 differentiated into postmitotic astrocytes characterized by S100beta expression. No new neurons were found in CA1. The number of nestin-GFP-expressing astrocytes in CA1 was increased by environmental enrichment. We conclude that astrogenesis in CA1 is influenced by environmental conditions. However, SVZ precursor cells do not contribute to physiological cellular plasticity in CA1.
Subject(s)
Astrocytes/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cell Movement/physiology , Hippocampus/metabolism , Intermediate Filament Proteins/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Stem Cells/metabolism , Animals , Astrocytes/cytology , Biomarkers/metabolism , Bromodeoxyuridine , Cell Proliferation , Environment, Controlled , Genes, Reporter/physiology , Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism , Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Hippocampus/cytology , Intermediate Filament Proteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Nerve Growth Factors/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Nestin , Organ Culture Techniques , Physical Stimulation , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit , S100 Proteins/metabolism , Stem Cells/cytologyABSTRACT
The behavioral effects of concurrent maternal exposure to restraint stress and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were assessed in the offspring of mice at 3 months of age. Plug positive females were divided into two groups. Animals were given by gavage 0 and 6mg PFOS/kg/day on gestation days 12-18. One-half of the animals in each group were subjected to restraint stress (30min/session, three sessions per day) during the same period. At 3 months, mice were evaluated for general activity in an open-field, and for learning and memory in a water maze task. The group prenatally exposed to PFOS and restraint presented a reduced mobility in the open-field. In the water maze, an interaction between sex and restraint was observed. Delayed task learning was also detected in females prenatally exposed to PFOS and restraint. An overall effect of restraint was observed in mice on retention of the task, suggesting a better retention in restrained animals. On the other hand, corticosterone levels were lower in animals prenatally subjected to restraint stress. The current results suggest interactive effects between PFOS and maternal stress.
Subject(s)
Alkanesulfonic Acids/toxicity , Fluorocarbons/toxicity , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Corticosterone/blood , Female , Male , Maze Learning/drug effects , Memory/drug effects , Mice , Motor Activity/drug effects , Pregnancy , Restraint, PhysicalABSTRACT
The combined effects of maternal restraint stress and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on postnatal development and behavior of the offspring were assessed in mice. Thirty-four plug positive females were randomly divided into two groups. Animals were given by gavage 0 and 6 mg PFOS/kg/day on gestation days 12-18. One-half of the animals in each group was subjected to restraint stress (30 min per session, three sessions per day) during the same period. Neither restraint nor PFOS exposure significantly modified maternal food or water consumption. Pups of dams exposed to 6 mg/kg of PFOS showed a reduced body weight on postnatal days 4 and 8. Moreover, PFOS exposure induced some delay in developmental landmarks and neuromotor maturation. Maternal restraint stress reduced activity in an open-field when combined with 6 mg PFOS/kg/day. In addition, in males prenatal restraint stress impaired motor coordination in a rotarod. The current results indicate that concurrent exposure to PFOS and restraint stress during pregnancy induces opposite effects on developmental parameters in the pups. These effects consist in a general delayed maturation trend induced by PFOS exposure, and a general accelerated maturation pattern induced by prenatal stress. Interactive effects between PFOS and maternal stress were observed in young adult mice. These effects consisted mainly in a diminished activity in an open-field test.
Subject(s)
Alkanesulfonic Acids/toxicity , Fluorocarbons/toxicity , Motor Activity/drug effects , Motor Skills/drug effects , Stress, Physiological , Animals , Female , Forelimb/drug effects , Forelimb/physiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Pregnancy , Restraint, Physical , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Studies in humans and animals show a clear decline in spatial memory with age and several approaches have been adopted to alleviate this impairment. The purpose of our review is to assess the studies that have suggested the possible neuroprotective actions of behavioural training and nicotine-applied both independently and in conjunction-on age-related deficits in spatial learning. Both spatial pretraining and nonspatial experiences influence an animal's performance in spatial tasks. In aged rats, the experience of training in the water maze task increases the number of newly generated neurons in the hippocampus. The neuroprotective effects of nicotine have been demonstrated in both in-vitro and in-vivo models, although the molecular mechanisms underlying these actions are not yet fully understood. It had been concluded in different studies that nicotine can improve, impair or have no effect on performance in the water maze. Neurobiological data also suggest an interaction between nicotine and prior experience in complex tasks, although few studies have raised the question of whether nicotine treatment and training in spatial tasks may contribute in an interactive manner to alleviate spatial cognition impairment associated with the ageing process. Different findings suggest that past experience could be a confounding variable in longitudinal studies that aim to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of nicotine on age-related deficits in spatial learning.
Subject(s)
Aging/drug effects , Behavior Therapy , Maze Learning/drug effects , Mental Recall/drug effects , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Nicotine/pharmacology , Orientation/drug effects , Aging/physiology , Animals , Escape Reaction/drug effects , Escape Reaction/physiology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/physiopathology , Humans , Maze Learning/physiology , Mental Recall/physiology , Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology , Orientation/physiology , Practice, Psychological , Problem Solving/drug effects , Problem Solving/physiology , Rats , Receptors, Nicotinic/drug effects , Receptors, Nicotinic/physiology , Septum Pellucidum/drug effects , Septum Pellucidum/physiopathologyABSTRACT
There is evidence that the cholinergic nicotinic system is involved in the modulation of anxiety. Anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects of nicotine agonists have been reported in mice. Bupropion is an antidepressant drug which may alleviate some symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, although its effects on anxiety are not clear. It has been suggested that the interaction between bupropion and nicotinic mechanisms could be complex. The aim of the present study was to investigate acute effects of co-administration of bupropion and nicotinic agonists on the elevated plus-maze test in NMRI mice. Effects of nicotine, lobeline, and cytisine (0.35 and 0.175 mg/kg), administered alone or combined with bupropion (20 mg/kg) were tested in the plus-maze. Results indicated that nicotine (0.35 mg/kg) decreased number and percentage of entries and time spent in open arms, and increased percentage of protected stretched attend posture. Bupropion (20 mg/kg) plus lobeline (0.175 mg/kg) increased percentage of time spent in open arms, without altering total or closed arm entries. Our findings suggest that the highest dose of nicotine induces anxiogenic effects, which are counteracted when co-administered with bupropion. The combination of bupropion with a low dose of lobeline seems to have an anxiolytic profile in the conventional parameters of the plus-maze, although ethological measures do not support it clearly.
Subject(s)
Bupropion/pharmacology , Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology , Maze Learning/drug effects , Nicotinic Agonists/pharmacology , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Combinations , Male , MiceABSTRACT
Both aluminum (Al) and aging have been associated with neurobehavioral changes in mammals. In this study, the long-lasting neurobehavioral effects of prenatal restraint stress and oral Al exposure from conception to sacrifice were assessed in adult (1 year) and old (2 years) rats. Pregnant females were orally exposed to 0, 50, and 100 mg Al/kg/day. Each Al-exposed group was divided into two subgroups. One of this was subjected to restraint stress (2h/day on gestation days 6-20). The offspring of the treated females were maintained with the same Al treatment until sacrifice at 1 or 2 years of age. Activity in an open-field and learning in a water maze were evaluated. Although no significant differences were observed in motor activity, a biphasic effect of Al on learning could be observed. Thus, exposure to 100 mg Al/kg decreased performance of the task in both adult and old rats when compared to animals exposed to 50 mg Al/kg. An age-related effect on water maze performance, as well as an accumulation of Al in brain of rats exposed to 100 mg Al/kg at 2 years of age was found. Interestingly, while prenatal restraint stress did not modify behavioral parameters, Al accumulation was prevented by prenatal restraint.
