Dataset Information

Cerebellar BDNF Promotes Exploration and Seeking for Novelty.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Approach system considered a motivational system that activates reward-seeking behavior is associated with exploration/impulsivity, whereas avoidance system considered an attentional system that promotes inhibition of appetitive responses is associated with active overt withdrawal. Approach and avoidance dispositions are modulated by distinct neurochemical profiles and synaptic patterns. However, the precise working of neurons and trafficking of molecules in the brain activity predisposing to approach and avoidance are yet unclear.

Methods

In 3 phenotypes of inbred mice, avoiding, balancing, and approaching mice, selected by using the Approach/Avoidance Y-maze, we analyzed endogenous brain levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor, one of the main secretory proteins with pleiotropic action. To verify the effects of the acute increase of brain derived neurotrophic factor, balancing and avoiding mice were bilaterally brain derived neurotrophic factor-infused in the cortical cerebellar regions.

Results

Approaching animals showed high levels of explorative behavior and response to novelty and exhibited higher brain derived neurotrophic factor levels in the cerebellar structures in comparison to the other 2 phenotypes of mice. Interestingly, brain derived neurotrophic factor-infused balancing and avoiding mice significantly increased their explorative behavior and response to novelty.

Conclusions

Cerebellar brain derived neurotrophic factor may play a role in explorative and novelty-seeking responses that sustain the approach predisposition.

SUBMITTER: Laricchiuta D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5932472 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Cerebellar BDNF Promotes Exploration and Seeking for Novelty.

Laricchiuta Daniela D Andolina Diego D Angelucci Francesco F Gelfo Francesca F Berretta Erica E Puglisi-Allegra Stefano S Petrosini Laura L

The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology 20180501 5

<h4>Background</h4>Approach system considered a motivational system that activates reward-seeking behavior is associated with exploration/impulsivity, whereas avoidance system considered an attentional system that promotes inhibition of appetitive responses is associated with active overt withdrawal. Approach and avoidance dispositions are modulated by distinct neurochemical profiles and synaptic patterns. However, the precise working of neurons and trafficking of molecules in the brain activity ...[more]

PMID: 29471437

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Project description:Innate differences in human temperament strongly influence how individuals cope with stress and predispose for specific types of psychopathology. The present study examines the developing brain in an animal model of temperamental differences to understand how altered neurodevelopment may engender differences in emotional reactivity that are stable throughout the animal’s life. We utilize selectively-bred High Responder (bHR) and Low Responder (bLR) rats that exhibit dramatic emotional behavior differences, with bHRs exhibiting exaggerated novelty-exploration, aggression, impulsivity and drug self-administration, and bLRs showing marked behavioral inhibition, exaggerated anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. Using Affymetrix microarrays, we assessed bLR/bHR gene expression in the developing brain on postnatal days (P)7, 14, and 21, focusing on the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, two regions related to emotionality and known to differ in adult bLR/bHR rats. We found dramatic bLR/bHR gene expression differences in the P7 and P14 hippocampus, with minimal differences in the nucleus accumbens. Some of the most profound differences involved genes critical for neurodevelopment and synaptogenesis. Stereological studies evaluated hippocampal structure in developing bHR/bLR pups, revealing enhanced hippocampal volume and cell proliferation in bLR animals. Finally, behavioral studies showed that the bHR/bLR behavioral phenotypes emerge very early in life, with exploratory differences apparent at P16 and anxiety differences present by P25. Together these data point to specific brain regions and critical periods when the bHR/bLR phenotypes begin to diverge, which may eventually allow us to test possible therapeutic interventions to normalize extreme phenotypes (e.g. the anxiety-prone nature of bLRs or drug addiction proclivity of bHRs). 2x2x3 factorial design with N=6 per group. Factors as follows: 1) Two selectively bred strains of rats (derived from an original Sprague Dawley population) termed High Responders (HR) and Low Responders (LR), 2) Two brain regions, Hippocampus (HPC) and Nucleus Accumbens (N.Acc), 3) Three developmental timepoints, specifically postnatal days 7 (P7), 14 (P14) and 21 (P21).

Dataset Information

Cerebellar BDNF Promotes Exploration and Seeking for Novelty.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Cerebellar BDNF Promotes Exploration and Seeking for Novelty.

Similar Datasets

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