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Journal of Pharmacological and... 2020Object burying by rodents is a popular screening tool for anxiolytic agents. However, modulation of marble-burying by serotonin reuptake inhibitors prompted its link to... (Review)
Review
Object burying by rodents is a popular screening tool for anxiolytic agents. However, modulation of marble-burying by serotonin reuptake inhibitors prompted its link to obsessive-compulsive disorder/compulsive-like behavior. The Marble-burying behavior test is an acute test; however, some investigators incorporate the sub-acute treatment regimen as an essential component for screening anti-compulsive agents. The test exhibits between-laboratory methodological differences and demonstrates positive treatment responses to an array of pharmacotherapies, creating doubts about its predictive validity and construct validity. Numerous reviews are available on marble-burying behavior test, which incorporates the test as a part of anti-compulsive behavior-like screens, but none has made it a sole subject-matter for discussion. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the marble-burying test as a model of compulsive-like disorders. It envisages the model's scientific origins, the preclinical research done and its correlation with the clinical research outcomes, and a detailed discussion about its validity. In conclusion, there appears a need to address the issue of construct and predictive validity of the model authoritatively; or the paradigm may remain squandered in the field of obsessive-compulsive disorder research.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Behavior Rating Scale; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Rodentia; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
PubMed: 31954839
DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2020.106676 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2019Characterized by the switch of manic and depressive phases, bipolar disorder was described as early as the fifth century BC. Nevertheless up to date, the underlying... (Review)
Review
Characterized by the switch of manic and depressive phases, bipolar disorder was described as early as the fifth century BC. Nevertheless up to date, the underlying neurobiology is still largely unclear, assuming a multifactor genesis with both biological-genetic and psychosocial factors. Significant process has been achieved in recent years in researching the causes of bipolar disorder with modern molecular biological (e.g., genetic and epigenetic studies) and imaging techniques (e.g., positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)). In this chapter we will first summarize our recent knowledge on the etiology of bipolar disorder. We then discuss how several factors observed to contribute to bipolar disorder in human patients can be manipulated to generate rodent models for bipolar disorder. Finally, we will give an overview on behavioral test that can be used to assess bipolar-disorder-like behavior in rodents.
Topics: Animals; Behavior Rating Scale; Bipolar Disorder; Disease Management; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Susceptibility; Environment; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Rodentia
PubMed: 31273693
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9554-7_4 -
Cell and Tissue Research Jul 2019Animal models of depression are certainly needed but the question in the title has been raised owing to the controversies in the interpretation of the readout in a... (Review)
Review
Animal models of depression are certainly needed but the question in the title has been raised owing to the controversies in the interpretation of the readout in a number of tests, to the perceived lack of progress in the development of novel treatments and to the expressed doubts in whether animal models can offer anything to make a true breakthrough in understanding the neurobiology of depression and producing novel drugs against depression. Herewith, it is argued that if anything is wrong with animal models, including those for depression, it is not about the principle of modelling complex human disorder in animals but in the way the tests are selected, conducted and interpreted. Further progress in the study of depression and in developing new treatments, will be supported by animal models of depression if these were more critically targeted to drug screening vs. studies of underlying neurobiology, clearly stratified to vulnerability and pathogenetic models, focused on well-defined endophenotypes and validated for each setting while bearing the existing limits to validation in mind. Animal models of depression need not to rely merely on behavioural readouts but increasingly incorporate neurobiological measures as the understanding of depression as human brain disorder advances. Further developments would be fostered by cross-fertilizinga translational approach that is bidirectional, research on humans making more use of neurobiological findings in animals.
Topics: Animals; Behavior Rating Scale; Biomarkers; Depressive Disorder; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Resistance; Humans; Mice; Neuroimaging; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sex Factors
PubMed: 30560458
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2973-0 -
PloS One 2017The chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression has been widely used as an experimental tool to investigate human psychopathology. Our objective was to provide...
The chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression has been widely used as an experimental tool to investigate human psychopathology. Our objective was to provide an update on the validity and reliability of the chronic unpredictable mild stress model, by analyzing the interrelationships among the indexes using stepwise discriminant analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient to examine the possible combinations. We evaluated the depressive rats in both the presence and the absence of chronic unpredictable mild stress, using weight change, percentage of sucrose preference, coat state, splash test, open-field test, elevated plus-maze test, forced swimming test, and Morris water maze test. The results showed that 6-week-long chronic unpredictable mild stress produces significant depression and anxiety-like behavior. The combination of body weight change, percentage of sucrose preference, coat state score, open-field score, grooming latency of splash test, immobility time in force swimming test, and platform crossing in the Morris water maze test can effectively discriminate between normal and chronic unpredictable mild stress rats. Strong interrelationships were noted among these indexes in both open-field test and elevated plus-maze test. In conclusion, there might be certain criteria for the combination of behavioral endpoints, which is advantageous to more effectively and reliably assess the chronic unpredictable mild stress induced depression model.
Topics: Animals; Behavior Rating Scale; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Depression; Discriminant Analysis; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Maze Learning; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reproducibility of Results; Stress, Psychological; Sucrose; Swimming
PubMed: 28931086
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185129 -
American Family Physician Nov 2020Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multidimensional chronic neurodevelopmental condition that affects 8.4% of U.S. children between two and 17 years of...
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multidimensional chronic neurodevelopmental condition that affects 8.4% of U.S. children between two and 17 years of age and may pose long-term morbidity if untreated. The evaluation for ADHD begins when parents or caregivers present to primary care physicians with concerns about behavior problems or poor school or social function. A comprehensive history and physical examination should assess for comorbid or other conditions that can mimic ADHD. The combination of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., criteria and validated screening tools completed by parents, teachers, or other adults can aid in establishing the diagnosis. The goals of treatment include symptom reduction and improved social and cognitive function. Psychosocial interventions are the recommended first-line treatment for preschool children (four to five years) and can improve overall function when used as an adjunct therapy in elementary school children (six to 11 years of age) and adolescents (12 to 17 years of age). Stimulant medications are well-established as an effective treatment for reducing symptoms of ADHD in elementary school children and adolescents. Nonstimulant medications are less effective but reasonable as adjunct or alternative therapy when stimulants are ineffective or not tolerated. Regular follow-up is key in the management of ADHD and should assess symptoms, overall function, presence of comorbidities, adverse effects of treatment, and medication use.
Topics: Adolescent; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Behavior Rating Scale; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Checklist; Child; Child Behavior; Child, Preschool; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Humans; Parents; Psychosocial Intervention; School Teachers
PubMed: 33179887
DOI: No ID Found -
PloS One 2020Behavioral development in domestic dogs has been investigated for predicting suitability for service dog work or for matching with the "right" families as well as for...
Behavioral development in domestic dogs has been investigated for predicting suitability for service dog work or for matching with the "right" families as well as for identifying predispositions to behavioral problems. Findings from the scientific literature seem to confirm that conducting behavioral tests at 7 weeks of age is too early to reliably predict the temperament and personality of a dog. However, this period for domestic dogs is sensitive for early life learning and conditions during this time could have important consequences in adulthood. The aims of this study were to evaluate inter-rater reliability of a simple standardized test and to investigate which factors influence the behavioral reaction of puppies. 105 seven-week old puppies were exposed to five subtests: social attraction, following, retrieving, sudden appearance, noise. During each task, the behaviour of each pup was scored on a 3-5 point scale that reflected the suitability of the pup's reaction to the task. Scores were evaluated for a single subtest and for two aggregate indicators (i.e. response to a person: social attraction subtest and following subtest and response to object and noise: retrieving subtest, sudden appearance subtest and noise subtest). Three assessors independently scored the dogs' reactions for each task. Inter-rater reliability of the three assessors were analyzed with Fleiss' Kappa and Kendall's coefficient, which showed a high inter-rater reliability in 4 of 5 tasks. The ordered logistic regression was carried out to obtain a proportional odds model that was used to model the relationship between sex, litter size, stimulating environment, parity of mother, adequate maternal behavior and high scores. Litter size and maternal parity were associated with test performance in response to a person. The variance of effect of litter was high in response to object and noise. Taken together, our results suggest that using this scoring system there is sufficient inter-rater reliability in the test and litter size and mother experience influences task performances related to dog-human interaction.
Topics: Animals; Behavior Rating Scale; Behavior, Animal; Dogs; Female; Learning; Male; Noise; Personality; Social Behavior
PubMed: 32726318
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236271 -
Annals of Behavioral Medicine : a... Apr 2023Self-control is generally defined as the capacity to override impulses and is a robust predictor of health behaviors. This paper integrates trait, reasoned action, and...
BACKGROUND
Self-control is generally defined as the capacity to override impulses and is a robust predictor of health behaviors. This paper integrates trait, reasoned action, and habit approaches to develop and test a mechanistic account of how self-control influences health actions.
PURPOSE
We tested five potential pathways from self-control to behavior, termed the valuation, prioritization, habituation, translation, and inhibition routes.
METHODS
At baseline, participants (N = 663 adults) completed survey measures of reasoned action approach variables and habits in relation to eight health behaviors and the Brief Self-Control Scale. Three months later, participants reported their behavior. Multi-level modeling was used to test pathways across behaviors.
RESULTS
Supporting the valuation route, affective attitude, cognitive attitude, descriptive norms, and perceived behavioral control mediated the self-control-intention relation, and intentions and perceived behavioral control mediated the relationship between self-control and health behaviors. Self-control also predicted the priority accorded to different considerations during intention formation. Higher self-control was associated with stronger prediction by cognitive attitudes and perceived behavioral control and weaker prediction by habits and injunctive norms. Self-control predicted habit formation, and habits mediated the self-control-behavior relation. Finally, self-control was associated with the improved translation of intentions into health behaviors and with greater inhibition of affective and habitual influences. Findings for the different pathways were not moderated by whether approach (health-protective behaviors) or avoidance responses (health-risk behaviors) were at issue.
CONCLUSIONS
The present research offers new insights into why self-control promotes health behavior performance, and how deficits in self-control might be offset in future behavior-change interventions.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Behavior Rating Scale; Health Behavior; Intention; Self-Control; Male; Female; Young Adult
PubMed: 36206193
DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaac053 -
Journal of the American Association For... Jul 2023Animals exhibit behavioral changes during illness, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, adipsia, and anhedonia, which are believed to comprise an adaptive evolutionary...
Animals exhibit behavioral changes during illness, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, adipsia, and anhedonia, which are believed to comprise an adaptive evolutionary strategy. Exploratory and social behaviors generally decrease during illness, but behavioral changes of dogs during illness have not been described. The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel canine behavior test during subclinical illness induced by dietary mycotoxin. Twelve mature female beagle dogs received 3 treatment diets: a control diet (control), a diet formulated with grains contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxin (toxin), and the toxin diet together with a toxin binding agent (binder). All dogs received each diets for 14 d in a Latin square design with a 7-d washout period between diet trials. The test consisted of individually releasing dogs into the center aisle of the housing room for 4 min per day, during which interactions with familiar dogs in adjacent kennels were recorded by an observer outside the room who was blind to treatment groups. Total interactions, orientation, and attempted physical contact with other dogs were less frequent during the toxin and binder diet treatments. Conversely, frequencies of physical proximity and olfactory contact with familiar dogs in adjacent kennels were not associated with diet. In conclusion, induction of subclinical gastrointestinal illness influenced aspects of social interactions in beagle dogs. A clinical assessment sheet integrating these findings was developed to aid in early identification of subclinical illness in research dogs based on behavior.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Female; Mycotoxins; Fusarium; Behavior Rating Scale; Illness Behavior; Diet; Eating; Animal Feed
PubMed: 37286307
DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-22-000104 -
The American Journal of Psychiatry Apr 2018Pharmacotherapy to rapidly relieve suicidal ideation in depression may reduce suicide risk. Rapid reduction in suicidal thoughts after ketamine treatment has mostly been... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
Pharmacotherapy to rapidly relieve suicidal ideation in depression may reduce suicide risk. Rapid reduction in suicidal thoughts after ketamine treatment has mostly been studied in patients with low levels of suicidal ideation. The authors tested the acute effect of adjunctive subanesthetic intravenous ketamine on clinically significant suicidal ideation in patients with major depressive disorder.
METHOD
In a randomized clinical trial, adults (N=80) with current major depressive disorder and a score ≥4 on the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI), of whom 54% (N=43) were taking antidepressant medication, were randomly assigned to receive ketamine or midazolam infusion. The primary outcome measure was SSI score 24 hours after infusion (at day 1).
RESULTS
The reduction in SSI score at day 1 was 4.96 points greater for the ketamine group compared with the midazolam group (95% CI=2.33, 7.59; Cohen's d=0.75). The proportion of responders (defined as having a reduction ≥50% in SSI score) at day 1 was 55% for the ketamine group and 30% for the midazolam group (odds ratio=2.85, 95% CI=1.14, 7.15; number needed to treat=4.0). Improvement in the Profile of Mood States depression subscale was greater at day 1 for the ketamine group compared with the midazolam group (estimate=7.65, 95% CI=1.36, 13.94), and this effect mediated 33.6% of ketamine's effect on SSI score. Side effects were short-lived, and clinical improvement was maintained for up to 6 weeks with additional optimized standard pharmacotherapy in an uncontrolled follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive ketamine demonstrated a greater reduction in clinically significant suicidal ideation in depressed patients within 24 hours compared with midazolam, partially independently of antidepressant effect.
Topics: Adult; Behavior Rating Scale; Depressive Disorder, Major; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Ketamine; Male; Midazolam; Middle Aged; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Young Adult; Suicide Prevention
PubMed: 29202655
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17060647 -
Auris, Nasus, Larynx Feb 2018The mouse is the most popular animal model in olfactory research. Behavior tests with odorants are essential for determining olfactory phenotype. To the best of our...
OBJECTIVE
The mouse is the most popular animal model in olfactory research. Behavior tests with odorants are essential for determining olfactory phenotype. To the best of our knowledge, the mouse olfactory behavior test has not been standardized, making the results vulnerable to inter-observer variation. We sought to develop a new mouse olfactory behavior test assessed by an automatic video tracking system with minimal inter-observer variation.
METHODS
A video-tracking system was used to automatically track mouse behavior in standard breeding cages with C57BL/6N mice. We tested two odorants (peanut butter for the preference test, 2MB acid for the avoidance test) and distilled water (for a control). Mouse behavior was recorded for 3min and analyzed. For the preference test, investigation time was measured. For the avoidance test, time spent in sectors away from the odorant zone was measured. To confirm our experimental settings, we also evaluated an anosmia mouse model prepared with intranasal administration of ZnSO.
RESULTS
All strains of mice showed reproducible behavior patterns of preference or avoidance for the odorants. The anosmia mouse model, as expected, failed to show an olfactory ability for preference or avoidance, and this was well-matched by histologic changes caused by the ZnSO treatment. The automatic video tracking system successfully tracked and automatically calculated mouse behavior with good reproducibility.
CONCLUSION
Our olfactory behavior test offers a simple and accurate method to evaluate olfactory function in mice. This test can be utilized as a possible standard method to search for features of olfactory phenotypes in mice.
Topics: Animals; Appetitive Behavior; Behavior Rating Scale; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Animal; Odorants; Olfaction Disorders; Olfactory Mucosa; Smell; Video Recording
PubMed: 28343725
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2017.03.007