Endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms in the substantia nigra pars reticulata modulate GABAergic nigrotectal pathways in mice threatened by urutu-cruzeiro venomous pit viper

Critical neuropsychobiological analysis of panic attack- and anticipatory anxiety-like behaviors in rodents confronted with snakes in polygonal arenas and complex labyrinths: a comparison to the elevated plus- and T-maze behavioral tests

“…We also included in this review selected chapters from classical books about anxiety and defensive behavior in rodents and humans and about anxiety treatment or neuropsychopharmacology of mental diseases. 7,[29][30][31][32][33] For the critical review of the experience of our team, we examined a set of six papers, [22][23][24][25][26][27] two doctoral theses, 34,35 nine congress abstracts, 28,34,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] and one book chapter 44 based on prey-versus-predator paradigms using wild snakes. All these experiments were performed in the Ophidiarium at the Laborató rio de Neuroanatomia e Neuropsicobiologia -Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirã o Preto -Universidade de São Paulo (LNN-FMRP-USP)/ Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento (INeC) using polygonal arenas and a complex labyrinth for confrontation between venomous and non-venomous snakes and small rodents, designed by Prof. N.C.Coimbra (first author) and ethologically validated from 2007 to 2013.…”

“…79,80 Recent reports using the apparatuses designed by the first author to contain complex labyrinths and polygonal arenas 24,64 have shown that the rodent versus snake (both venomous and non-venomous) paradigms are useful for conducting ethological and neuropharmacological experiments. [22][23][24][25][26][27]34,[36][37][38][39] Simple and complex polygonal arenas for snakes…”

“…For example, it can prevent snake attacks, increasing the rodent's chance of survival and permitting the experimenter to study the effects of proximal and distal threatening stimuli on the activation of the rodent's limbic system. Moreover, the rodent can exhibit nonoriented escape behaviors organized by midbrain neurons 22,23,62,64 and oriented escape behaviors in an environment with a shelter organized by diencephalic neurons. [62][63][64] Nevertheless, the absence of the burrow allows the experimenter to record more uniform and robust panic-like defensive responses, considering that the snake is constantly kept in the rodent's visual field.…”

“…[19][20][21] More recently, prey-versus-predator paradigms have also been used to investigate innate and conditioned fearrelated reactions and the effects of drugs that act in the neural substrates of aversive stimulus-induced emotional responses. 22,23 As an example, in our laboratory, different species of rodents were confronted with venomous or constrictor snakes in a complex labyrinth or in polygonal arenas. 24,25 These prey-versus-predator paradigms also seem to be a good experimental tool for studying innate fear-induced behavioral responses elicited in a more ethological situation of threat, 22,23 as well as the effects of new potential panicolytic drugs.…”

“…22,23 As an example, in our laboratory, different species of rodents were confronted with venomous or constrictor snakes in a complex labyrinth or in polygonal arenas. 24,25 These prey-versus-predator paradigms also seem to be a good experimental tool for studying innate fear-induced behavioral responses elicited in a more ethological situation of threat, 22,23 as well as the effects of new potential panicolytic drugs. [26][27][28] In this sense, the aim of the present article was to discuss the literature regarding the classical EPM and ETM tests, the current knowledge about snake-based prey-versuspredator interaction approaches to anxiety, fear, and panicrelated behaviors, and our 10-year experience with snake versus predator interactions.…”