New Horizons for Phenotyping Behavior in Rodents: The Example of Depressive-Like Behavior

The evolution of the field of behavioral neuroscience is significantly dependent on innovative disruption triggered by our ability to model and phenotype animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. The ability to adequately elicit and measure behavioral parameters are the fundaments on which the behavioral neuroscience community establishes the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders as well as contributes to the development of treatment strategies for those conditions. Herein, we review how mood disorders, in particular depression, are currently modeled in rodents, focusing on the limitations of these models and particularly on the analyses of the data obtained with different behavioral tests. Finally, we propose the use of new paradigms to study behavior using multidimensional strategies that better encompasses the complexity of psychiatric conditions, namely depression; these paradigms provide holistic phenotyping that is applicable to other conditions, thus promoting the emergence of novel findings that will leverage this field.

Assessment of Variation in Feeding Behavior by Color Morph in the Asian citrus Psyllid (Diaphorini Citri Kuwayama)

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera:Liviidae), vector of huanglongbing disease, displays a high degree of color polyphenism. In the adult stage, ACP exhibits abdominal colors that can be separated into three color groupings: blue-green, grey-brown and orange-yellow. Color morphology has been shown to influence important and energetically costly psyllid life traits including reproduction, dispersion, immune defense and resistance to insecticides. Despite this, it remains unclear how color morphology is correlated with feeding behavior. Understanding variation in feeding behavior of the ACP color morphs is critical to better understanding how ACP populations utilize host-plants and to assess potential risk for transmission of the causal agent of huanglongbing disease. We compared the feeding behavior of the three ACP color morphs by using electropenetrography (EPG). We did not detect differences in the feeding behavior activities at phloem or xylem tissues when comparing the three-color morphs. Furthermore, there were no differences in feeding behavioral parameters before reaching phloem or xylem tissues. Our results suggest energy requirements are similar between color morphs and feeding behavior parameters associated with CLas transmission are potentially similar between color morphs.

Machine Learning Approach to Detect Drowsiness on Behavioral Parameters

Object detection has received a lot of research attention in recent years because of its tight association with video analysis and picture interpretation. Face detection, vehicle detection, pedestrian counting, web photos, security systems, and self-driving automobiles are all examples of object detection. With little conscious thought, the human visual system can accomplish complicated tasks such as distinguishing multiple objects and detecting impediments. Thanks to the availability of large amounts of data, faster GPUs, and improved algorithms, we can now quickly train computers to detect and classify many elements inside a picture with high accuracy. Our project is focused on building a single-access platform for various object detection tasks. A user-interface where the user is asked for the relevant inputs and an output based on this is generated automatically by the system. Also, accuracy and precision measures are also displayed so that the user is wary of their liability extent on the generated results.

Comparing Advanced with Basic Telerehabilitation Technologies for Patients with Rett Syndrome—A Pilot Study on Behavioral Parameters

The aim of this study is to compare the performances of patients with Rett syndrome that were undergoing advanced telerehabilitation (ATR) and patients that were undergoing basic telerehabilitation (BTR). It was hypothesized that patients that were undergoing ATR training would have better improvement in nearly all the motor and cognitive scale scoring activities that were administered, thus showing reduced disability. A total of 20 young girls and women with a diagnosis of RTT, ranging from age 4 to 31 years old (Median: 12.50; IQR: 9.50–17.25) underwent a pre-test, treatment post-test 1, treatment, and post-test 2 procedure. The treatment consisted of either ATR or BTR, lasting 10 weeks with three sessions a week of about an hour. The results showed that the group with advanced telerehabilitation improved their performance better than the control group only in some neuropsychological measurements. The results are discussed in the light of critical factors of telerehabilitation.

Role of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rodents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and their combination on taxol induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) in mice. Briefly, six groups of C57BL/6J mice (n = 6) were used. PTX (8 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was given to the mice on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 to induce neuropathy. Mice were evaluated for their behavioral parameters and also at the end of the study, DRG collected from the animals were subjected to RNA sequence and westernblot analysis. Further, immunocytochemistry and mitochondrial functional assays were performed on cultured DRGs derived from SD rats. The combination of CBD and THCV improved thermal and mechanical neurobehavioral symptoms in mice by two folds as compared to individual treatments. KEGG (RNA Sequencing) identified P38-MAPK, AMPK, and PI3K-AKT pathways as potential CBD and THCV therapeutic targets. In PTX-treated animals, the expression of p-AMPK, SIRT1, NRF2, HO1, SOD2, and catalase was significantly reduced (p<0.001), whereas the expression of PI3K, p-AKT, p-P38 MAP kinase, BAX, TGF-, NLRP3 inflammasome, and caspase 3 was significantly increased (p<0.001) when compared to control group. In reversing these protein expressions, combination therapy outperformed single therapies. CBD and THCV treatment increased AMPK, Catalase, and Complex I expression while decreasing mitochondrial superoxides in DRG primary cultures. In mice and DRG primary cultures, WAY100135 and rimonabant inhibited the effects of CBD and THCV by blocking 5 HT1A and CB1 receptors. In conclusion, entourage effect of CBD and THCV combination against PIPN appears to protect neurons in mice by modulating 5HT1A and CB1 receptors, respectively.

Evaluation of an Ayurvedic preparation-‘Ekangaveera Rasa' for possible metal toxicity: Behavioral, Biochemical and Histopathological Analysis

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicinal system, is highly regarded as complementary and alternative medicine in recent years. However, there are reports to show the toxic effects of specific Ayurvedic preparations, which use metals as an ingredient in them. One such medicine is 'Ekangaveera Rasa' This herbo-minero-metallic preparation is used to treat the pain of neurological origin. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the possible alteration caused by Ekangaveera Rasa on the brain, liver, and kidneys by histological, biochemical, and behavioral analysis. For this evaluation, Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group 1- normal control; group 2, 3 and 4 were treated with Ekangaveera Rasa at doses of 120, 240 and 600 mg/kg bodyweight for 30 days. Behavioral parameters were assessed on the 15th and 30th day by using the passive avoidance test. At the end of the treatment period, blood was collected and subjected to the basophilic stripling and biochemical analysis. Tissues were processed for histopathological evaluation. The histopathological, biochemical, and behavioral analysis did not show any harmful effect, thereby rendering Ekangaveera Rasa nontoxic and further glorifying the healing benefits of Ayurveda.

Simulation and Virtual Reality Using Nonlinear Kinematic Parameters as a Means of Predicting Motion Sickness in Real-Time in Virtual Environments

Objective This article presents two studies (one simulation and one pilot) that assess a custom computer algorithm designed to predict motion sickness in real-time. Background Virtual reality has a wide range of applications; however, many users experience visually induced motion sickness. Previous research has demonstrated that changes in kinematic (behavioral) parameters are predictive of motion sickness. However, there has not been research demonstrating that these measures can be utilized in real-time applications. Method Two studies were performed to assess an algorithm designed to predict motion sickness in real-time. Study 1 was a simulation study that used data from Smart et al. (2014). Study 2 employed the algorithm on 28 new participants’ motion while exposed to virtual motion. Results Study 1 revealed that the algorithm was able to classify motion sick participants with 100% accuracy. Study 2 revealed that the algorithm could predict if a participant would become motion sick with 57% accuracy. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that the motion sickness prediction algorithm can predict if an individual will experience motion sickness but needs further refinement to improve performance. Application The algorithm could be used for a wide array of VR devices to predict likelihood of motion sickness with enough time to intervene.

Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients

Different welfare indicators were studied in three patients with psychomotor alterations and in two horses throughout 9–10 equine assisted therapy sessions in each patient. In horses, heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, temperature and behavioral signs were studied. In patients, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, sleep quality, psychomotor and emotional parameters were analyzed. Data collection was recorded in the anticipatory phase (15 min before the start of the session), two interaction phases (after 30 min of horse-patient interaction on the ground and on horseback, respectively) and the recovery phase (15 min after the end of the session). During the anticipatory phase, most of physiological parameters of patients and horses and the stress behavioral signs of horses increased, followed by a relaxing phase during the horse-patient interaction on the ground. In horse-patient riding phase the heart and respiratory rates of the horses again increased. These results showed that the horses did not seem to suffer stress attributable to the therapy sessions, but only an increase in their parameters associated with activity and external stimuli. The patients improved their gross and fine motor skills, their cognitive and perceptual-sensitive parameters and it led to an improvement in the life quality of their families.

Behavioral parameters evaluation after homeopathic Zincum metallicum treatment: a transgenerational study in mice

Background: ZINCUM METALLICUM (ZM) is a homeopathic medicine whose materia medica is defined by diverse behavioral and mental symptoms, including depression. Moreover, as a microelement, zinc itself is involved in several functions of Central Nervous System, including development and cell maturity during the intra-uterus life. Aims: Herein, the putative transgenerational effects of different homeopathic potencies of ZM upon behavioral parameters in P and F1 generations were evaluated. Methodology: Since mice and the tail suspension test (TST) are references for evaluating antidepressant agent activity, the TST together with the open field test (OPT) and the elevated plus maze test (EPM) were used to analyze offspring behavioral parameters. All animal procedures were in agreement with the Brazilian ethical research practices and were approved by the institutional ethical committee (CEUA-UNIP) under the protocol 156/2013. Four groups of seven females Balb/C mice were exposed to 0,1mL of ZM 5cH, 30cH, 200cH and lactose 5cH, diluted in 250mL of drinking water, during pregnancy and post partum period, in a total of 31 days. The flasks were coded before the remedies administration and all experimental procedures, including statistical analysis were done in blind. The parents were previously distributed in a Completely Randomized Design for the mates, according to the TST previous results. Mothers were re-evaluated for TST after weaning and mice of F1 generation were evaluated for TST, EPM and OPT when they reached two months old. According to the time of immobilization in TST, animals were classified as healthy (h), intermediate (i) and depressed (d) (< 116; 117-180 and >180 seconds of immobilization, respectively). Results: No significant changes were seen among the groups regarding to the number of newborns, sex proportions, TST, OPT and EPM behavioral parameters, besides the fact that the treatment with ZM 200cH was associated to the majority of healthy F1 mice (male: n=8: 7h+1i+0d; female: n=8: 8h+0i+0d), in relation to the number of delivery per group (Fisher test, p ≤ 0.01). Treatment with ZM 5cH, instead, produced reduced number of pups with no male mouse among F1 generation. We conclude that the treatment of pregnant females with ZM 200cH produced the best results in F1 generation regarding reproduction and behavioral parameters and the treatment with ZM 5cH reduced births in relation to control. The involved mechanisms have to be elucidated in the next steps of the study.