Evidence for a vocal signature in the rat and its reinforcing effects: a key role for the subthalamic nucleus

Although rodents have a well-structured vocal form of communication, like humans and non-human primates, there is, to date, no evidence for a vocal signature in the well-known 50- and 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by rats. Here, we show that rats can recognize the identity of the USV emitter since they choose to preferentially self-administer playback of 50-kHz USVs emitted by a stranger rat over those of their cagemate. In a second experiment, we show that only stranger, but not familiar, 50-kHz USVs reduce cocaine self-administration. Finally, to study the neurobiological substrate of these processes, we have shown that subthalamic nucleus (STN)-lesioned rats did not lever press much for any USV playback, whatever their emotional valence, nor did they seem able to differentiate familiar from stranger peer. Advocating for the existence of a vocal signature in rats, these results highlight the importance of ultrasonic communication in the socio-affective influence of behaviour, such as the influence of proximal social factors on drug consumption and confirm the role of the STN on this influence.

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Evidence for a vocal signature in the rat and its reinforcing effects

10.1101/2021.06.07.447373 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cassandre Vielle ◽

Christian Montanari ◽

Yann Pelloux ◽

Christelle BAUNEZ

Keyword(s):

Subthalamic Nucleus ◽

Social Factors ◽

Vocal Communication ◽

Lever Press ◽

Emotional Valence ◽

Ultrasonic Vocalizations ◽

Self Administration ◽

Vocal Signature ◽

Reinforcing Effects

While the term 'language' is used for human and non-human primates, 'vocal communication' is rather used for rodents or other species. The main difference is that there is, to date, no evidence for a vocal signature in the well-known 50- and 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) emitted by rats. Here, we show that rats can recognize the identity of the USV emitter since they self-administer preferentially playback of 50-kHz USV emitted by a stranger rat over those emitted by their cage-mate. In a second experiment, we show that the familiarity with the USV emitter also modulate the effect of USV playback during cocaine self-administration, since only stranger, but not familiar, 50-kHz USV decrease drug intake. Finally, to study the neurobiological substrate of those processes, we have tested the effects of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) lesion on these various conditions. STN-lesioned rats did not lever press much for any USV playback, whatever their emotional valence, nor did they seem able to differentiate familiar from stranger peer. Advocating for the existence of a vocal signature in rats, these results highlight the importance of ultrasonic communication in socio-affective influence of behavior, such as the influence of proximal social factors on drug consumption and confirm the role of the subthalamic nucleus on this influence.

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Affective Cue-Induced Escalation of Alcohol Self-Administration and Increased 22-kHz Ultrasonic Vocalizations during Alcohol Withdrawal: Role of Kappa-Opioid Receptors

Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1038/npp.2012.229 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 647-654 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Anthony L Berger ◽

Angela M Williams ◽

Molly M McGinnis ◽

Brendan M Walker

Keyword(s):

Opioid Receptors ◽

Alcohol Withdrawal ◽

Ultrasonic Vocalizations ◽

Kappa Opioid Receptors ◽

Self Administration ◽

Kappa Opioid

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Role of hypocretin/orexin receptor blockade on drug-taking and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) associated with low-effort self-administration of cathinone-derived 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in rats

Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1007/s00213-017-4709-3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 234 (21) ◽

pp. 3207-3215 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Steven J. Simmons ◽

Rose Martorana ◽

Helene Philogene-Khalid ◽

Fionya H. Tran ◽

Taylor A. Gentile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ultrasonic Vocalizations ◽

Receptor Blockade ◽

Self Administration

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Central orexin (hypocretin) 2 receptor antagonism reduces ethanol self-administration, but not cue-conditioned ethanol-seeking, in ethanol-preferring rats

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1017/s1461145713000333 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 2067-2079 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Robyn Mary Brown ◽

Shaun Yon-Seng Khoo ◽

Andrew John Lawrence

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽

Self Administration ◽

Potential Therapeutic Target ◽

Guide Cannulae ◽

Hypothalamic Neuropeptides ◽

Reinforcing Effects ◽

G Protein Coupled ◽

The Brain

Abstract Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides which bind to two G-protein-coupled receptors, orexin-1 (OX1R) and orexin-2 (OX2R) receptor. While a role for OX1R has been established in both ethanol reinforcement and ethanol-seeking behaviour, the role of OX2R in these behaviours is relatively less-studied. The aim of this study was to determine the role of central OX2R in ethanol-taking and ethanol-seeking behaviour. Indiana ethanol-preferring rats were trained to self-administer ethanol (10% w/v) or sucrose (0.7–1% w/v) in the presence of reward-associated cues before being implanted with indwelling guide cannulae. The selective OX2R antagonist TCS-OX2-29 was administered i.c.v. to assess its effect on operant self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement following extinction. Following i.c.v. injection TCS-OX2-29 reduced self-administration of ethanol, but not sucrose. Despite reducing ethanol self-administration, TCS-OX2-29 had no impact on cue-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking. To determine where in the brain OX2R were acting to modulate ethanol self-administration, TCS-OX2-29 was microinjected into either the shell or core of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Intra-NAc core, but not shell, infusions of TCS-OX2-29 decreased responding for ethanol. Importantly, the doses of TCS-OX2-029 used were non-sedating. Collectively, these findings implicate OX2R in the NAc in mediating the reinforcing effects of ethanol. This effect appears to be drug-specific as antagonism of central OX2R had no impact on sucrose self-administration. Thus, OX2R in addition to OX1R may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ethanol-use disorders. However, unlike OX1R, no impact of OX2R antagonism was observed on cue-induced reinstatement, suggesting a more prominent role for OX2R in ethanol self-administration compared to cue-conditioned ethanol-seeking.

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Collection of Ego-Centered Network Data with Computer-Assisted Interviews

Methodology ◽

10.1027/1614-2241.2.1.7 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 7-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Joachim Gerich ◽

Roland Lehner

Keyword(s):

Survey Methods ◽

A Priori ◽

Dynamic Structure ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Network Data ◽

Great Effort ◽

Self Administration ◽

Face To Face ◽

Full Network

Although ego-centered network data provide information that is limited in various ways as compared with full network data, an ego-centered design can be used without the need for a priori and researcher-defined network borders. Moreover, ego-centered network data can be obtained with traditional survey methods. However, due to the dynamic structure of the questionnaires involved, a great effort is required on the part of either respondents (with self-administration) or interviewers (with face-to-face interviews). As an alternative, we will show the advantages of using CASI (computer-assisted self-administered interview) methods for the collection of ego-centered network data as applied in a study on the role of social networks in substance use among college students.

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Dialogues between Civilizations-The determining Role of Social Factors

Nghiên cứu Tôn Giáo ◽

10.3125/rsr.v32i2.24 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Francois Houtart

Keyword(s):

Social Factors

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of The active heroin metabolite 6-acetylmorphine has robust reinforcing effects as assessed by self-administration in the rat.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.734678533.793555031 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

M Foster Olive

Keyword(s):

Self Administration ◽

Reinforcing Effects

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Invasion landscapes as social‐ecological systems: Role of social factors in invasive plant species control

People and Nature ◽

10.1002/pan3.10217 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Yletyinen ◽

George L. W. Perry ◽

Olivia R. Burge ◽

Norman W. H. Mason ◽

Philip Stahlmann‐Brown

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Social Factors ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Invasive Plant Species ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological

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Occurrence of drug target residues within decantation tank sediments: a good clue to assess their historical excretion?

Sustainable Environment Research ◽

10.1186/s42834-021-00092-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Thiebault ◽

Laëtitia Fougère ◽

Anaëlle Simonneau ◽

Emilie Destandau ◽

Claude Le Milbeau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Target ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Deposition Process ◽

Drug Consumption ◽

Organic Layers ◽

Sewer Systems ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Deep Underground ◽

Deposition Processes

AbstractThis study investigated the potential of sediments accumulated in sewer systems to record human activities through the occurrence of drug target residues (DTR). The installation studied is 17 m deep underground decantation tank that traps the coarse fractions of a unitary sewer system (northern part of Orléans, France), collecting both stormwater and wastewater. The sediments deposited in this tank could constitute a nonesuch opportunity to study the historical evolution of illicit and licit drug consumption in the catchment, however, the deposition processes and the record of DTRs remain largely unknown at present. Five cores were acquired from 2015 to 2017. One hundred fifty-two sediment samples were extracted using a mixture of ultra-pure water:methanol (1:1) prior to analysis of the extracts by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Several classical sedimentological analyses such as total organic carbon, facies description and granulometry were also performed on these samples, in order to understand the most important factors (e.g., physico-chemical properties of the DTRs, solid type, assumed load in wastewater) impacting their deposition.The key role of the speciation of DTRs was highlighted by the higher contents in neutral and anionic DTRs in organic layers, whereas only cationic DTRs were found in mineral layers. The considerable modifications in the sediments’ properties, generated by distinct origins (i.e., stormwater or wastewater), are therefore the most important drivers that must be taken into account when back-calculating the historical patterns of drug consumption from their DTR concentrations in decantation tank sediments. Further research remains necessary to fully understand the deposition process, but this study provides new clues explaining these temporal evolutions.

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