Social behavior and spatial orientation in rat strains with genetic predisposition to catatonia (GC) and stereotypes (PM)

Abstract

Various psychopathologies, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, are associated with abnormalities in social behavior and learning. One of the syndromes that may also take place in these disorders is catatonia. Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome in which motor excitement, stereotypy, stuporous state, including the phenomenon of “waxy flexibility” (catalepsy), can be observed. Rats with genetic catatonia (GC) and pendulum-like movements (PM) of the anterior half of the body have physiological and behavioral changes similar to those observed in schizophrenia and depression in humans and can be considered as incomplete experimental models of these pathologies. The social behavior of the GC and PM rats has not been previously studied, and the cognitive abilities of animals of these strains are also insufficiently studied. To determine whether the GC and PM rats have changes in social behavior and spatial learning, behavioral phenotyping was performed in the residentintruder test, three-chamber test, Barnes maze test. Some deviations in social behavior, such as increased offensive aggression in PM rats in the resident-intruder test, increased or decreased social interactions depending on the environment in different tests in GC, were shown. In addition, principal component analysis revealed a negative association between catatonic freezing and the socialization index in the three-chamber test. Decreased locomotor activity of GС rats can adversely affect the performance of tasks on spatial memory. It has been shown that PM rats do not use a spatial strategy in the Barnes maze, which may indicate impairment of learning and spatial memory.

Animal Models of Hypertension (ISIAH Rats), Catatonia (GC Rats), and Audiogenic Epilepsy (PM Rats) Developed by Breeding

“…PM rats exhibit heightened offensive behavior in the resident-intruder test [91] and high aggressiveness in the glove test [137], which may confirm the likely relation between seizure predisposition and aggressiveness. People with epilepsy also commonly have symptoms of neurological or psychiatric illness, such as cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, attention deficits, and aggressiveness [139][140][141][142].…”

“…Anomalies have also been revealed in the social behavior of GC male rats, particularly in the form of a decrease in social interactions in the three-chamber test. On the other hand, in relation to an intruding unfamiliar male, GC rats show significantly longer social exploration in the home cage [91]. This discrepancy in social activity in the above two tests may be explained by differences in the environmental conditions that affect the emotional state and motivation.…”

“…This discrepancy in social activity in the above two tests may be explained by differences in the environmental conditions that affect the emotional state and motivation. In the Barnes maze test, GC rats perform much worse in the probe trial than control rats do, possibly indicating the presence of memory impairment and cognitive disturbances in GC rats [91]. Most of our research has been conducted on male GC rats.…”

“…A brief description of all of the above traits that are associated with the manifestation of catatonia in GC rats is presented in Table 2. Slower solving of the Barnes maze Barnes maze test [91] Increased startle reflex SR-Pilot (San Diego Instruments) Startle response system (TSE) [85,95] Deficit of prepulse inhibition Startle response system (TSE) [96] Altered maternal behavior Visual registration in a home cage [92] High plasma corticosterone level Reduced plasma corticosterone level by chronic oral imipramine administration…”

Animal Experiments Used in Experimental Neuroscience Research: Learning, Memory, Anxiety, Depression and Motor Function Behavioural Experiments

“…Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome in which motor excitement, stereotypy, and stupor can be observed. Rats with genetic catatonia and pendulum-like movements in the anterior half of the body have physiological and behavioral changes similar to those observed in schizophrenia and depression in humans and can be considered as incomplete experimental models of these pathologies (18). Catatonia, a postural disorder, is defined as "freezing" in animals and is a simple and easily applicable method (10).…”