Abstract
The bidirectional selective breeding of Roman high- (RHA) and low-avoidance (RLA) rats for respectively rapid vs. poor acquisition of active avoidant behavior has generated two lines/strains that differ markedly in terms of emotional reactivity, with RHA rats being less fearful than their RLA counterparts. Many other behavioral traits have been segregated along the selection procedure; thus, compared with their RLA counterparts, RHA rats behave as proactive copers in the face of aversive conditions, display a robust sensation/novelty seeking (SNS) profile, and show high impulsivity and an innate preference for natural and drug rewards. Impulsivity is a multifaceted behavioral trait and is generally defined as a tendency to express actions that are poorly conceived, premature, highly risky or inappropriate to the situation, that frequently lead to unpleasant consequences. High levels of impulsivity are associated with several neuropsychiatric conditions including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. Herein, we review the behavioral and neurochemical differences between RHA and RLA rats and survey evidence that RHA rats represent a valid genetic model, with face, construct, and predictive validity, to investigate the neural underpinnings of behavioral disinhibition, novelty seeking, impulsivity, vulnerability to drug addiction as well as deficits in attentional processes, cognitive impairments and other schizophrenia-relevant traits.
Highlights
Impulsivity is a multifaceted trait that involves premature responses or actions without foresight, often leading to adverse or maladaptive consequences
Research on the pathophysiological substrate of impulsivity has benefited from the availability of both, psychometrical and experimental measures of this multifaceted construct combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in humans, and valid models to assess impulsive behavior either as a trait or a state in animals
We will survey experimental evidence supporting the view that the RHA rat line/strain may be used as a reliable animal model of genetically determined vulnerability to substance use comorbidity in schizophrenia in terms of face, construct, and predictive validity
Summary
Impulsivity is a multifaceted trait that involves premature responses or actions without foresight, often leading to adverse or maladaptive consequences. We will survey experimental evidence supporting the view that the RHA rat line/strain may be used as a reliable animal model of genetically determined vulnerability to substance use comorbidity in schizophrenia in terms of face, construct, and predictive validity Implications of these findings for investigations on the etiology and treatment of Impulsive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders are considered in the present review article. The RHA and RLA rat lines/strains display differential impulsivity and profound divergences in associated traits, such as coping style, behavioral inhibition, behavioral/cognitive flexibility, attention, cognitive ability (e.g., spatial learning, working memory) and novelty seeking, as described (Driscoll and Bättig, 1982; Driscoll et al, 1998, 2009). THE ROMAN RATS: A GENETIC MODEL OF DIFFERENTIAL ANXIETY, NOVELTY SEEKING, IMPULSIVITY, ATTENTION DEFICITS AND ASSOCIATED TRAITS
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