The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

O'Connor, Angela M.; Burton, Thomas J.; Leamey, Catherine A.; Sawatari, Atomu

doi:10.3791/52225

Cited by 21 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Also, administration of pioglitazone to the GluN1 knockdown model of schizophrenia improved long-term memory and helped to restore cognitive endophenotypes [50]. Unlike most anti-psychotics, pioglitazone had a restorative effect on cognitive function (measured by the puzzle box assay), thus suggesting a potential impact of pioglitazone as an augmentation therapy in schizophrenia [50,110].…”

Section: Neurodevelopmental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 98%

Is There a Future for PPARs in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders?

Tufano

Pinna

2020

Molecules

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Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and γ isoforms have been gaining consistent interest in neuropathology and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Several studies have provided evidence that either the receptor expression or the levels of their endogenously-produced modulators are downregulated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders and in their respective animal models. Remarkably, administration of these endogenous or synthetic ligands improves mood and cognition, suggesting that PPARs may offer a significant pharmacological target to improve several neuropathologies. Furthermore, various neurological and psychiatric disorders reflect sustained levels of systemic inflammation. Hence, the strategy of targeting PPARs for their anti-inflammatory role to improve these disorders is attracting attention. Traditionally, classical antidepressants fail to be effective, specifically in patients with inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert potent antidepressant effects by acting along with PPARs, thereby strongly substantiating the involvement of these receptors in the mechanisms that lead to development of several neuropathologies. We reviewed running findings in support of a role for PPARs in the treatment of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease or psychiatric disorders, such as major depression. We discuss the opportunity of targeting PPARs as a future pharmacological approach to decrease neuropsychiatric symptoms at the same time that PPAR ligands resolve neuroinflammatory processes.

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Section: Neurodevelopmental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 98%

Is There a Future for PPARs in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders?

Tufano

Pinna

2020

Molecules

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“…Environmental enrichment has also been shown to enhance long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, which facilitates learning and memory [ 159 ], two important processes for problem solving [ 23 , 95 ]. Environmental enrichment has been associated with increased problem-solving ability in C57/BL6J mice in an obstruction puzzle task [ 160 ] and Labrador retrievers in puzzle box tasks [ 161 ]. This suggests causal links between the environment, the neuroendocrine system, and problem solving which are likely mediated by underlying genotype × environment interactions.…”

Section: Interacting Factors That Influence the Development Of Promentioning

confidence: 99%

Problem Solving in Animals: Proposal for an Ontogenetic Perspective

Rowell

Pillay

Rymer

2021

Animals

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Problem solving, the act of overcoming an obstacle to obtain an incentive, has been studied in a wide variety of taxa, and is often based on simple strategies such as trial-and-error learning, instead of higher-order cognitive processes, such as insight. There are large variations in problem solving abilities between species, populations and individuals, and this variation could arise due to differences in development, and other intrinsic (genetic, neuroendocrine and aging) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. However, experimental studies investigating the ontogeny of problem solving are lacking. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of problem solving from an ontogenetic perspective. The focus is to highlight aspects of problem solving that have been overlooked in the current literature, and highlight why developmental influences of problem-solving ability are particularly important avenues for future investigation. We argue that the ultimate outcome of solving a problem is underpinned by interacting cognitive, physiological and behavioural components, all of which are affected by ontogenetic factors. We emphasise that, due to the large number of confounding ontogenetic influences, an individual-centric approach is important for a full understanding of the development of problem solving.

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“…13,15 Cardboard tubes, plastic igloos, water bottles, and disposable huts were chosen for study because they increase the complexity of an otherwise barren cage, provide additional wall space for naturally thigmotactic creatures, and provide a visual or physical barrier. 1,20,28 Data from the current study suggest that red within-cage shelters may increase stress in mice, as evidenced by increased neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios, increased adrenal weights, and decreased spleen weights. 16,30 These outcomes were unexpected considering that the mice chose to spend most of their time inside the provided shelters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Effects of Various Commercially Available Enrichment Options on Handling and Chronic Stress Markers in Female ICR Mice

Peveler

Swan

Wheeler

et al. 2019

j am assoc lab anim sci

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Although social housing of mice generally is preferred, mice must be individually housed in some situations. In these cases, enhanced attention to environmental enrichment is encouraged, but few studies assess the wellbeing of mice provided various enrichments. In this study, we used female ICR mice to evaluate enrichment strategies that encouraged natural behaviors including foraging, exercise, sheltering, and socialization. After 3 mo of exposure to the assigned enrichment strategy, wellbeing was assessed by evaluating behavioral and physiologic differences between groups. The results suggested that the use of red-tinted igloos may decrease markers of mouse wellbeing. However, none of the selected strategies yielded measures of wellbeing indicating improvement as compared to individually housed mice with no enrichment (negative control). Furthermore, measures were not significantly different between paired mice and individually housed mice with no enrichment.

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The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

Cited by 21 publications

References 54 publications

Is There a Future for PPARs in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders?

Is There a Future for PPARs in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders?

Problem Solving in Animals: Proposal for an Ontogenetic Perspective

Effects of Various Commercially Available Enrichment Options on Handling and Chronic Stress Markers in Female ICR Mice

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