Article
Biology
C. J. Burke, S. M. Pellis, E. J. M. Achterberg
Summary: Social play in rats is vital for brain development and social skills, and the vocalizations emitted during play are believed to represent positive affective states. By comparing associations between ultrasonic vocalizations and behavior in heterospecific and conspecific play, it was found that the usage of different types of calls differed significantly.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Zach E. McKinnell, Tessa Maze, Alejandro Ramos, Brandon Challans, Bethany Plakke
Summary: Research using the VPA model showed that female VPA rats exhibited more severe impairments in social behavior, anxiety, and cognitive flexibility, supporting the hypothesis that female individuals with ASD may present different symptoms compared to males with ASD. Female VPA rats were also less likely to form an attentional set, indicating executive function deficits similar to those observed in humans with ASD.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kate A. Lawson, Abigail Y. Flores, Rachael E. Hokenson, Christina M. Ruiz, Stephen V. Mahler
Summary: In this study, it was found that systemic administration of the DREADD agonist clozapine-n-oxide suppressed the number of frequency-modulated and trill-containing USVs without impacting high frequency, unmodulated (flat) USVs. These results confirm that nucleus accumbens neurons are essential for the production of amphetamine-induced frequency-modulated USVs.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Gwen Lupfer, Alex Brandenburger, Mychal Machado
Summary: Rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations during play (high-frequency) and distress (low-frequency). The experiments show that lower-frequency vocalizations may indicate a more negative affective state than higher-frequency ones, highlighting the importance of understanding the relationship between vocalizations and rat welfare.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Esraa M. Elnahas, Sally A. Abuelezz, Magda I. Mohamad, Mai M. Nabil, Sahar M. Abdelraouf, Nevine Bahaa, Ghada A. M. Hassan, Eman A. Ibrahim, Asmaa I. Ahmed, Sawsan Aboul-Fotouh
Summary: Despite the controversy on the timing of exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in inducing autism-like changes in male Wistar rats, this study found that both prenatal and postnatal VPA exposures showed similar effects on inducing autistic-like behaviors and neuropathological changes. The prenatal VPA exposure model demonstrated significant alterations in ASD core symptoms and histopathological changes compared to the postnatal model, with lower postnatal animal mortality.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Markus Woehr
Summary: Rats emit 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in appetitive situations, particularly elicited by d-amphetamine, and can serve as a reliable measure for assessing elevated mood in rats. Pharmacological interventions can modulate this vocalization, providing new insights into manic behaviors and potential therapeutic targets.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Seyed Ali Seyedinia, Parnia Tarahomi, Davood Abbarin, Katayoun Sedaghat, Ali Rashidy-Pour, Habib Yaribeygi, Abbas Ali Vafaei, Payman Raise-Abdullahi
Summary: This study aimed to determine the effects of saffron extract and crocin on brain oxidative stress and behavioral, motor, and cognitive deficits in an animal model of autism. The results showed that saffron and crocin can alleviate behavioral abnormalities, reduce brain oxidative stress levels, and hold promise as herbal-based pharmacological treatments for individuals with autism.
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ui-Jin Kim, Namgue Hong, Jin-Chul Ahn
Summary: This study suggests that photobiomodulation (PBM) may be an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By treating pregnant mice exposed to valproic acid (VPA) with PBM, pathological behaviors and histological changes in the ASD mouse model were attenuated. Additionally, PBM reduced behavioral changes caused by neuroinflammation. This research provides new insights for the treatment of ASD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kinga Gzielo, Agnieszka Potasiewicz, Ewa Litwa, Diana Piotrowska, Piotr Popik, Agnieszka Nikiforuk
Summary: This study demonstrated that prenatal exposure to poly(I:C) impairs socio-communicative functioning in adolescent rats, particularly affecting social play behaviors and USVs emitted by male rats. These findings suggest that USVs may serve as a useful tool for early identification of autistic-like abnormalities.
Article
Neurosciences
Zhonghui Liu, Jingyu Wang, Qu Xu, Zhenggang Wu, Lianghui You, Qin Hong, Jiansheng Zhu, Xia Chi
Summary: This study reveals the importance of long non-coding RNA and mRNA in the progression of ASD and identifies vitamin A as a potential therapy. It contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of ASD.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Nathan S. Pentkowski, Carlos Maestas-Olguin, Gabriela Martinez
Summary: Predator odors play a critical role in eliciting defensive behavior in prey species. This study investigates the effects of commercially available predator odors on adolescent male and female rats. The results show that the predator odors can induce defensive behavior, but the response is moderate compared to previous studies.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nazanin Sabet, Banafshe Abadi, Amirhossein Moslemizadeh, Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh, Fatemeh Arabzadeh, Seyyed Sajjad Vakili Shahrbabaki, Zahra Soltani, Forouzan Rafie, Hamideh Bashiri
Summary: This study found that low and moderate treadmill exercise can partially alleviate anxiety-like behaviors induced by prenatal valproic acid exposure, and improve social impairments in autistic rats. However, exercise did not significantly affect the spatial learning and memory of autistic rats.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kinga Gzielo, Agnieszka Nikiforuk
Summary: There is currently no effective treatment for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but research suggests that the cholinergic system, particularly the alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha 7-nAChRs), may be a potential target for pharmacotherapy. Using a rodent model of ASD, the study found that alpha 7-nAChR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) can facilitate certain aspects of socio-communicative behavior in adolescent rats.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eiji Imado, Samnang Sun, Abrar Rizal Abawa, Takeru Tahara, Takahiro Kochi, Tran Ngoc Bao Huynh, Satoshi Asano, Shigeru Hasebe, Yoki Nakamura, Kazue Hisaoka-Nakashima, Yaichiro Kotake, Masahiro Irifune, Kazuhiro Tsuga, Kazuhiro Takuma, Norimitsu Morioka, Norikazu Kiguchi, Yukio Ago
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors. This study found that prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) can cause increased tactile sensitivity and that spinal microglia play an important role in regulating nociceptive responses.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kanishk Luhach, Giriraj T. Kulkarni, Vijay P. Singh, Bhupesh Sharma
Summary: The study showed that cilostazol could alleviate prenatal VPA exposure-related hyperlocomotion, social interaction deficits, repetitive behavior, and anxiety, while significantly increasing biochemical markers such as BDNF, pCREB, IL-10, and GSH in the assessed brain regions.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)