Decrease In Social Interaction Research Articles

Hubungan Interaksi Sosial dengan Kualitas Hidup Lansia di Kelurahan Korong Gadang Kecamatan Kuranji Kota Padang

Increased life expectancy has resulted in an increase in the number of elderly people. Over time, the various organ systems of the elderly body undergo changes that cause them to have limitations in activities so that they are considered as helpless individuals and slowly withdraw from society. This results in a decrease in social interaction which will affect the quality of life of the elderly. This study aims to determine the relationship between social interaction and the quality of life of the elderly in Korong Gadang Village, Kuranji District, Padang City. This study is an observational analytic study with a cross sectional design. Data were collected by guided interviews using the social interaction questionnaire and the OPQOL-35 quality of life questionnaire with 60 respondents. Respondents had good social interaction (86.7%) and good quality of life (80.0%). The results of bivariate analysis using the Chi-square statistical test showed a p value = 0.043 (p <0.05). The conclusion of this study is that there is a relationship between social interaction and the quality of life of the elderly in Korong Gadang Village, Kuranji District, Padang City.
 Keywords : elderly, social interaction, quality of life

Youth mentoring: A new holistic intervention targeting the needs of young persons with acquired brain injury

Introduction: Holistic rehabilitation approaches addressing the numerous complex challenges in young persons with acquired brain injury are required. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the holistic person-centered youth mentoring intervention program, which is based on occupational therapy. Methods: Prospectively collected data were extracted from a national clinical quality database ( n = 59). Proportions of young persons receiving different aspects of support and proportions rating the intervention as meaningful were calculated. One-year changes in occupation, work ability, and social interactions were calculated. Results: The young persons most frequently received support for energy management (75%) and structuring of everyday life (61%). Seventy-three percent rated the intervention as meaningful. One year post-inclusion, occupation and work ability had increased by 35% and 58%, respectively, and it had declined by 10% and 26%, respectively. The 1-year increase and decrease in social interactions were less clear (15% and 25%, respectively). One-year changes did not differ between those who entered the program early or late after injury indicating the potential beneficial effect of the program. Conclusion: The findings could indicate that the program has a unique value in supporting young persons with acquired brain injury to create a meaningful everyday life through occupation, work ability, and social interaction.

Journalistic media and adolescents in the COVID-19 pandemic: a documental analysis.

To analyze how the journalistic media has described the issues of quality of life (QoL), physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH) of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a descriptive and qualitative study that used content analysis. Sixty-two journalistic publications were analyzed from a total of 8211 published by the most read newspapers in each Brazilian region between December 2019 and August 2021. The results were grouped and evaluated in three categories: QoL (n=11), PA (n =9) and MH (n=42). In the analyzed period, the adolescents had more time of exposure to screens, contributing to an inadequate diet, a decrease in PA and impairments in QoL. According to the media publications, the pandemic has also contributed to an increase in anxiety, depression, loneliness and fear resulting from the mental and emotional disorganization caused by the abrupt change in routine. Social vulnerability was presented as an aggravating factor in this context. The journalistic media did not pay the necessary attention to adolescents regarding the negative consequences of the pandemic on QoL, PA and MH. The analyzed reports showed that the pandemic caused a decrease in social interaction, feelings of uncertainty, fear and the appearance/exacerbation of symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. Social vulnerability was presented as another obstacle to be faced in this problem.

Sex-dependent behavioral alterations in a poly(I:C)-induced maternal immune activation mouse model without segment filamentous bacteria

Maternal immune activation is one of the environmental risk factors for offspring to develop psychiatric disorders. A synthetic viral mimetic immunogen, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), is used to induce maternal immune activation in animal models of psychiatric disorders. In the mouse poly(I:C) model, the existence of segment filamentous bacteria (SFB) in the maternal intestine has been reported to be important for the induction of ASD-related behavioral alterations as well as atypical cortical development called cortical patches. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of a single poly(I:C) injection during embryonic day (E) 9 to E16 on offspring’s behavior in the ensured absence of maternal SFB by vancomycin drinking in C57BL/6N mice. The cortical patches were not found at either injection timings with poly(I:C) or PBS vehicle, tested in male or female offspring at postnatal day 0 or 1. Prepulse inhibition was decreased in male adult offspring most strongly at poly(I:C) injection timings later than E11, whereas a modest but significant decrease was observed in female offspring with an injection during E12 to E15. The decrease in social interaction was observed in female offspring most conspicuously at injection timings later than E11, whereas a significant decrease was observed in male offspring with an injection during E12 to E15. In conclusion, this study indicated that behavioral alterations could be induced without maternal SFB. The effect on behavior was substantially different between males and females.

Fully robotic social environment for teaching and practicing affective interaction: Case of teaching emotion recognition skills to children with autism spectrum disorder, a pilot study.

21st century brought along a considerable decrease in social interactions, due to the newly emerged lifestyle around the world, which became more noticeable recently of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, children with autism spectrum disorder have further complications regarding their social interactions with other humans. In this paper, a fully Robotic Social Environment (RSE), designed to simulate the needed social environment for children, especially those with autism is described. An RSE can be used to simulate many social situations, such as affective interpersonal interactions, in which observational learning can take place. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed RSE, it has been tested on a group of children with autism, who had difficulties in emotion recognition, which in turn, can influence social interaction. An A-B-A single case study was designed to show how RSE can help children with autism recognize four basic facial expressions, i.e., happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, through observing the social interactions of two robots speaking about these facial expressions. The results showed that the emotion recognition skills of the participating children were improved. Furthermore, the results showed that the children could maintain and generalize their emotion recognition skills after the intervention period. In conclusion, the study shows that the proposed RSE, along with other rehabilitation methods, can be effective in improving the emotion recognition skills of children with autism and preparing them to enter human social environments.

Pharmacological Inactivation of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Increases Affiliative Social Behavior in Rhesus Macaques.

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in a variety of social behaviors, including aggression, maternal care, mating behavior, and social interaction. Limited evidence from rodent studies suggests that activation of the BNST results in a decrease in social interaction between unfamiliar animals. The role of the BNST in social interaction in primates remains wholly unexamined. Nonhuman primates provide a valuable model for studying social behavior because of both their rich social repertoire and neural substrates of behavior with high translational relevance to humans. To test the hypothesis that the primate BNST is a critical modulator of social behavior, we performed intracerebral microinfusions of the GABAA agonist muscimol to transiently inactivate the BNST in male macaque monkeys. We measured changes in social interaction with a familiar same-sex conspecific. Inactivation of the BNST resulted in significant increase in total social contact. This effect was associated with an increase in passive contact and a significant decrease in locomotion. Other nonsocial behaviors (sitting passively alone, self-directed behaviors, and manipulation) were not impacted by BNST inactivation. As part of the "extended amygdala," the BNST is highly interconnected with the basolateral (BLA) and central (CeA) nuclei of the amygdala, both of which also play critical roles in regulating social interaction. The precise pattern of behavioral changes we observed following inactivation of the BNST partially overlaps with our prior reports in the BLA and CeA. Together, these data demonstrate that the BNST is part of a network regulating social behavior in primates.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has a well-established role in anxiety behaviors, but its role in social behavior is poorly understood. No prior studies have evaluated the impact of BNST manipulations on social behavior in primates. We found that transient pharmacological inactivation of the BNST increased social behavior in pairs of macaque monkeys. These data suggest the BNST contributes to the brain networks regulating sociability.

Effect of abrupt and gradual calorie restriction regimens on biochemical and behavioral markers in obese mice model.

Background: Although Calorie Restriction (CR) is primarily considered in obesity management, behavioral studies of CR and its methodology of implementation are not well-defined. Objective: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of the extensively researched method of CR-abrupt calorie restriction (ACR) and a newly proposed gradual calorie restriction (GCR) in terms of body weight, behavioral and biochemical parameters in the obese animal model-C57BL/6J mice. Design: Male obese mice were subjected to GCR regimen for 14 weeks which was compared and evaluated for anxiety-like behavior and stress levels with ACR. Plasma corticosterone was measured before initiation of CR and every three weeks following GCR and ACR, whereas plasma insulin was measured twice-after obesity induction and post 14 weeks of CR. The behavioral assessments were conducted before inducing CR and every three weeks following ACR and GCR. Results: A significant anxiety-like behavior and an increase in plasma corticosterone were observed in mice on GCR during the critical initial six weeks of CR (p < 0.05). Both groups showed a decrease in plasma glucose levels; however, the GCR group showed a significant reduction (p < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in social interaction in both groups with an increase in the latency period and a decrease in time spent with the stranger animal during the social interaction test (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The mice on GCR regimen demonstrated lesser anxiety-like behavior and low plasma corticosterone levels compared to those on ACR. This gives us a new avenue in CR research to evaluate the methodologies of implementing CR.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Lifestyle and Wellbeing of Children, Adolescents and Their Parents: A Qualitative Study.

Prior studies have shown that changes in daily structure and habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the lifestyle and wellbeing of families. This study aimed to obtain in-depth information on children's and adolescents' experiences regarding their lifestyle and wellbeing during the pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with fifteen families were carried out between May and November 2021. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the transcripts and fundamental qualitative description to describe the results. Children and adolescents revealed an overall unhealthier lifestyle and decreased wellbeing. These negative effects were even larger in adolescents and children with overweight or psychosocial complaints. Our results revealed that parents were actively involved in maintaining a normal daily structure. Furthermore, diet changes were inconsistent and dependent on food availability. An increase in screen time was experienced as inevitable, and external influences were necessary to keep children and adolescents active. Almost no effects were reported on physical health, whereas negative emotions were experienced in varying degrees. Moreover, the decrease in social interactions was reported as the most negative effect of the pandemic. The above-mentioned insights may contribute to the development of preventive measures to promote a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing of children and adolescents during future pandemics.

Effect of Social Isolation on Ovarian Follicles in Female Mice

Stay‐at‐home orders and social distancing have been central to the public health strategy employed during the COVID‐19 pandemic. While these measures are essential for reducing the transmission of COVID‐19, surveys administered during the pandemic revealed that this decrease in social interaction also resulted in increased loneliness and isolation in human populations over the past year. Social interaction is an important component of overall human wellness. In fact, social contact and social support are associated with better health and decreased mortality in humans. More studies are needed to specifically investigate how social isolation affects reproductive systems. Based on the rationale that environmental stimuli can influence hormonal cascades and therefore affect reproduction, we hypothesized that the lack of social stimuli experienced during social isolation influences the production of ovarian follicles. To test this, three‐week‐old female Swiss‐Webster mice were placed in individual housing or in groups of three for five weeks, then their ovaries were harvested and embedded in Durcupan. From each right ovary, we cut 110 sections at 2‐μm thickness, 20 sections at 10‐μm thickness, and 100 sections at 2‐μm thickness. The cuts were oriented transversely to the oviduct. An observer, blind to experimental treatment, evaluated sample sections taken every 50 µm by counting the total number of follicles present. In our preliminary analysis, we observed fewer follicles in individually housed mice than in group‐housed mice. These preliminary results suggest that social isolation has implications for reproductive health and, in a larger context, demonstrate the importance of intraspecies interactions for social animals.

Methylmercury chloride exposure exacerbates existing neurobehavioral and immune dysfunctions in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model of autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by impaired communication, impaired reciprocal social interaction, restricted sociability deficits, and the presence of stereotyped patterns of behaviors. Immune dysregulation has been suggested to play a possible etiological role in ASD. Recent studies have demonstrated that exposure to methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl) leads to abnormal gait, motor deficits, impaired hearing, and memory deficits; however, its effects on behavioral and immunological responses have not been adequately investigated in ASD. In this study, we investigated the effects of MeHgCl exposure on marble burying, self-grooming behaviors, sociability tests, and locomotor activities in BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice. We also explored the possible molecular mechanism underlying the effects of MeHgCl administration on IFN-γ-, T-bet-, IL-9-, and IL-17A-producing CD4+, CXCR5+, CXCR6+, and CCR9+ cells isolated from spleens. Furthermore, the effects of MeHgCl exposure on the mRNA expression and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain tissue and serum samples were also assessed. Our results demonstrated that MeHgCl exposure caused a significant increase in marble burying, self-grooming behaviors and a decrease in social interactions and adverse effects on locomotor activity in BTBR mice. MeHgCl exposure also significantly increased the production of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD4+T-bet+, CCR9+T-bet+, CXCR5+IL-9+, CD4+IL-9+, CXCR6+IL-17A+, and CD4+IL-17A+ cells in the spleen. Furthermore, MeHgCl exposure increased mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain and serum respectively in BTBR mice. In conclusion, MeHgCl administration aggravated existing behavioral and immune abnormalities in BTBR mice.

Cognitive and balance performance of older adult women during COVID-19 pandemic quarantine: an ex post facto study.

IntroductionIsolation and self-quarantine can expose individuals, particularly older people, to cognitive and physical decline. Due to a reduction in their musculoskeletal and neural flexibility, older adults are more likely to be affected by quarantine limitations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-quarantine on cognitive and balance performance of older women during the COVID-19 outbreak.Material and methodsIn a convenience sampling method, a total of 75 older adult women were recruited in this ex post facto study. The mini-mental state exam, single leg stance test, and timed up and go test were used to assess cognitive functions, static, and dynamic balance, respectively. Fall risk was measured by the Johns Hopkins assessment tool. Evaluations were performed before and after 7 months of quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak (November 2019 – June 2020), in which volunteers were at the lowest level of physical and social interaction.ResultsNo significant difference was observed in the mean static balance performance of the older adult women between the baseline and quarantine phases [p = 0.095, t (df) = –1.69]. The dynamic balance performance [p < 0.001, t (df) = 5.6] and cognitive status (p < 0.001, t = –7.4) decreased and the fall rate increased [p < 0.001, t (df) = 7.35] after 7 months of quarantine.ConclusionsIt seems that self-quarantine can cause a decline in cognitive functions and dynamic balance performance of older women. It implies that the decrease in social interactions and physical activities caused by the limitations of self-quarantine put individuals at greater risk of cognitive impairment and increase their falling rate by impairing dynamic balance.

Depression and Anxiety in Residents of a Retirement Community during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Louisiana implemented a quarantine leading to a decrease in social interaction, a risk factor for anxiety and depression among the elderly population. The objective was to determine if quarantine would negatively affect the mental health of the elderly in a residential community. Methods: This limited longitudinal assessment and analysis, uitilizing the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) to assess depression and anxiety during quarantine. Data was collected three times over 12 weeks during the quarantine from 46 of 57 residents stratified as nursing home, assisted living, and independent living of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in the New Orleans area. 37 (80%) of 46 patients were females, mean age 86.1 (SD 9.1) years old; 25 (54.3%) were nursing home residents, 13 (28.3%) were in assisted living, and 8 (17.4 %) were in an independent living community. Results: 16 (34.8%) patients were diagnosed with depression before being surveyed. Five (10.9%) had previous diagnoses of anxiety. Anxiety scores decreased significantly from baseline (average 4.35 vs. 3.28, p-value = 0.045) at 6 weeks, but did not change from 0 to 12 weeks or 6 -12 weeks. Depression, scores did not change significantly between time periods. Our data indicate a trend toward an increase in depression and anxiety during periods of pandemic quarantine isolation. Conclusion: Assessing these indicators may help mitigate economic burden and cognitive decline resulting from the complications of depression and anxiety in elderly populations.

Impact of Covid‐19 pandemic on lifestyle in a middle‐aged and elderly population

BackgroundMandated lockdowns and restricted activity in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected our everyday life1. Seniors, in particular, have been affected due to higher morbidity and mortality2. The World‐Wide‐FINGERS‐SARS‐CoV‐2 survey is part of an international project, consisting of members of the World‐Wide FINGERS (WW‐FINGERS) Network for dementia risk reduction and prevention3. The study aims to measure the direct and indirect effects of the outbreak in midlife and older age. Preliminary results of this ongoing study is focused on lifestyle changes.MethodThe survey commenced in September 2020.Participants aged 45 and above were recruited from existing research cohorts, memory clinic patients and community subjects. Sociodemographic factors, health related information, impact on lifestyle and behavior as well as personality factors were collected through three modalities: self‐administered online survey, telephone survey and in person with research staff.ResultAt present, 167 non‐demented participants were included in the current preliminary analysis. Majority of the participants were Chinese (83.2%), aged 65 and above (59.3%), male (58.1%), with at least secondary education (80.8%). The survey found that 61.6% of the participants reported decreased contact with friends and relatives, with 22.2% reporting an increase in loneliness. Approximately one‐third of the participants reported a decrease in physical activity (35.9%) and an increase in food intake (30.5% in snacking habits; 25.1% in fruits consumption). Approximately half of the participants reported increase in usage of internet and digital services to keep in contact with family and friends.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic has produced measurable impacts on lifestyle‐related behavior of individuals. The decrease in social interaction and increase in loneliness during the pandemic due to government directive, along with concerns of contracting the virus highlight the importance of digital services for and digital literacy in older adults to keep them connected and supported remotely.

Köpeklerin Yaşlanmaya Bağlı Bilişsel Bozukluğu

Canine cognitive disorder (CDS) is a neurodegenerative, progressive, and irreversible disorder of senior dogs, generally over eight years old. CDS is characterized by a decrease in cognitive functions. Clinically significant changes in dog’s behavior and daily routines including disorientation, decrease in social interactions, changes in sleep-wake cycles, loss of household habits, poor communication, increased anxiety, and changes in activity levels with the potential to create significant problems and discomfort in the lifestyle of the owners, deteriorating pet-owner attachment and generally be frustrating for the owner. The definite diagnosis depends on brain biopsies, and there is no confirmed clinical diagnosis method developed, meeting the whole criteria of CDS. The owner assessment using several scales available is the primary tool to rely on, which has a high potential to be subjective. Although it still has many dark sides, CDS is a disease with convenient diagnostic and therapeutic strategies available. Veterinarians need to consider this disease in geriatric patients and cooperate by increasing owner awareness, stopping or at least slowing down the disease in elderly dogs, and making the geriatric period more comfortable for both the dog and the owner. This review aims to introduce current information in the diagnosis and treatment of CDS.

Role of Vitamin (D) Deficiency in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The disorder of the automatic spectrum is a neurodolevating disorder characterized by a decrease in social interactions, communication and stereotypical disorders and repeated behaviors with various degrees of gravity. A number of systematic reviews and meta- analyses have described prenatal and perinatal factors, as well as factors related to maternal nutrition and lifestyle. There is evidence to support the importance of vitamin D in the normal structure and function of the nervous system. The effects of VD administration during pregnancy on the mother and conception before and after birth have been repeatedly investigated. It has been found that preventing VD can reduce the risk of autism.

Long-term changes in neuroimaging markers, cognitive function and psychiatric symptoms in an experimental model of Gulf War Illness

AimsGulf War Illness (GWI) is a multi-symptom disease with debilitating cognitive and emotional impairments in veterans. GWI, like epilepsy, is caused by chemical neurotoxicity and manifests from disturbances in neuronal excitability. However, the mechanisms underlying such devastating neurological and psychiatric symptoms remain unclear. Here we investigated the long-term changes in neural behavior and brain structural abnormalities in a rat model of GWI. GWI is linked to exposure to GWI-related organophosphate chemicals (pyridostigmine bromide or PB and insecticide DEET, permethrin) during the stressful Gulf war. MethodsTo mimic GWI, we generated an experimental GWI prototype in rats by daily exposure to GWI-related chemicals with restraint stress (GWIR-CS) for 4 weeks. Changes in MRI scan and cognitive function were assessed at 5- and 10- months post-exposure. Key findingsIn MRI scans, rats displayed significant increases in lateral ventricle T2 relaxation times at both 5- and 10-months after GWIR-CS, indicating alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) density. Furthermore, at 10 months, there were significant decreases in the volumes of the hippocampus and thalamus and an increase in the lateral ventricle volume. At both time points, they exhibited impairments in multiple neurobehavioral tests, confirming substantial deficits in memory and mood function. GWI-CS rats also displayed aggressive behavior and a marked decrease in social interaction and forced swimming, indicating depression. ConclusionsThese results confirm that chronic GWIR-CS exposure led to cognitive and psychiatric symptoms with concurrent neuroimaging abnormalities in CSF, with morphological neural lesions, demonstrating the role of divergent etiological mechanisms in GWI and its comorbidities.

Oxidative stress and decreased dopamine levels induced by imidacloprid exposure cause behavioral changes in a neurodevelopmental disorder model in Drosophila melanogaster

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are responsible for behavioral deficits in children. Imidacloprid is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, capable of causing behavioral changes in Drosophila melanogaster, similar to the ADHD-like phenotypes. We assess whether behavioral damage induced by imidacloprid exposure in Drosophila melanogaster is associated with neurochemical changes and whether these changes are similar to those observed in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and ADHD. The fruit flies were divided into four groups, exposed to either a standard diet (control) or a diet containing imidacloprid (200, 400 or 600 ρM) and allowed to mate for 7 days. After hatching, the progeny was subjected to in vivo and ex vivo tests. The ones exposed to imidacloprid showed an increase in hyperactivity, aggressiveness, anxiety and repetitive movements, as well as, a decrease in social interaction. Furthermore, exposure to imidacloprid decreased dopamine levels, cell viability and increased oxidative stress in the flies’ progeny. These results demonstrated that the behavioral damage induced by imidacloprid exposure involves a reduction in dopamine levels and oxidative stress and that these neurochemical changes are in line with the events that occur in ASD and ADHD-like phenotypes in other models.

Percepção do paciente amputado diante da mudança na imagem corporal

Objetivo: avaliar a percepção do paciente amputado diante da mudança na imagem corporal. Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo, do tipo descritivo exploratória, transversal, com abordagem qualitativa, realizada em um hospital geral de um município do Maranhão, contando com uma amostragem de 09 participantes, de ambos os sexos. Resultados: Observou-se que há mudanças na percepção dos indivíduos acerca da imagem corporal após o processo de amputação, onde os principais sentimentos vivenciados pelos entrevistados foram tristeza, saudade do membro perdido, desesperança, insatisfação com a imagem corporal e intensa fragilização da mesma. Houve também diminuição do convívio social. Foi evidenciado ainda, que apenas três indivíduos apresentam resiliência quanto a sua situação atual, destacando a família como pilar para a superação de obstáculos enfrentados por eles. Conclusão: Diante desses problemas, fica claro que assistência prestada a estes indivíduos deve ser focada em aspectos físicos e emocionais. Nesse caso, a equipe de saúde deve entrar em ação lidando diretamente com o sujeito e prestando esclarecimentos acerca do procedimento realizado por ele, além de incentivar o uso de estratégias que busquem estimular o desenvolvimento de atividades voltadas para a reabilitação física e mental.

S179. ADMINISTRATION OF ROTENONE DURING NEONATAL PERIOD INDUCES SCHIZOPHRENIA-LIKE BEHAVIOR

BackgroundThe neurodevelopment refers to the process that generates and shapes the nervous system of animals. It begins during the earliest stages of embryonic development and it is the last system to be completed after birth, which occurs during the end of adolescence. The majority of mechanisms that constitutes neurodevelopment, such as cell proliferation, migration and neural differentiation, axon growth cone and dendritic filopodia formation as well as synapse are ATP dependents, therefore mitochondria dependents. Hence, disturbs during nervous system development can lead to behavioral deficits and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Results of our research group showed that a mitochondria dysfunction during neurodevelopment, by Rotenone (a complex I inhibitor) administration, induces behavioral deficits, such as hyperlocomotion and decreased social interaction, when the rats were young adults (60 days old). Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the behavioral deficits in an early age (prodromal phase) and if the behavioral deficits presented at young adulthood could be attenuated or reverted by antipsychotic (Haldol – Hal) or psychostimulant (Metilphenidate – MPD). Notwithstanding, draw a parallel between this animal model and a neuropsychiatric disorder.MethodsTo reach this goal, we treated intraperitoneally wistar puppies (P) with Rotenone 0.1mg/kg (Rot), Saline (Sal) or Vehicle (Veh) (DMSO) during P5-P11. To verify the prodromal phase, we performed behavioral tests (open field, social interaction and contextual fear conditioning) at P35. Therefore, in order to analyze the behavior during the young adulthood (P60), each animal previously treated with Sal, Veh or Rot was then treated intraperitoneally, 30 min before the behavioral tests (open field, social interaction and contextual fear conditioning), with either Saline (Sal-Sal, Veh-Sal, Rot-Sal), Hal (Sal-Hal, Veh-Hal, Rot-Hal) or MPD (Sal-MPD, Veh-MPD, Rot-MPD).ResultsResults showed mean±SEM (n=8 for each group) and analyzed by One-Way Anova and Duncan post-hoc compared to control group (Sal-Sal 100%). At P35, we verified: i) no significant changes in locomotor activity between Rot and Sal; ii) decrease in social interaction after treatment with Rot (68.40%±3.077; p<0.05 in relation to Sal); iii) a reduction in freezing time in contextual fear conditioning task to Rot group (45.20±8.03; p<0.05 when compared to Sal). At P60, we noticed i) an increase in locomotor activity after treatment with Rot-Sal (134.88%±3.95; p<0.05 when compared to Sal-Sal) that was decreased by treatment with Rot-Hal (94.76%±15.74; p<0.05 when compared to Rot-Sal), but not with Rot-MPD (compared to Rot-Sal); ii) a decrease in social interaction at P60 after treatment with Rot-Sal (68.35%±5.87; p<0.05 when compared to Sal-Sal) that was reverted by treatment with Rot-Hal (100.80%±6.66; p<0.05 when compared to Rot-Sal) and also with Rot-MPD (100.6%±6,89; p<0.05 when compared to Rot-Sal); iii) in contextual fear conditioning the animals treated with Rot presented a decrease in freezing response (31.50%±7.36; p<0.05 when compared to Sal-Sal) that was reverted by treatment with Rot-Hal (81.21%±16.65; p<0.05 when compared to Rot-Sal).DiscussionWe concluded that neonatal treatment with Rot promote behavior deficits at young age (P35), such as deficit in social interaction and emotional memory; in young adulthood (P60) we also verified deficit in social interaction and emotional memory, in addition to hyperlocomotion, that are mostly reverted with treatment with Hal, but not with MPD. Altogether our data suggest a relationship between mitochondria inhibition during neurodevelopment leading to schizophrenia-like behavior.

T32. NEONATAL CHEMICAL HYPOXIA EXPOSURE CAUSES NEURONAL AND BEHAVIORAL ALTERATIONS RELATED TO SCHIZOPHRENIA IN WISTAR RATS

BackgroundSchizophrenia (SZ) is a complex and debilitating mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the world population and, according to the World Health Organization, it is one of the top ten causes of disability in developed countries. Neonatal hypoxia is a well-establish risk factor to SZ development, though little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. Indeed, animals submitted to neonatal gaseous hypoxia show behavioral alteration and neurochemical changes resembling SZ features. However, the effect of chemical hypoxia induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2) treatment is poorly understood. Remarkably, hypoxia induces an augmentation of adenosinergic system, an effect that seems to be relevant to neurodevelopment. Indeed, attention is being focused to adenosinergic system in the context of SZ. Thus, our goal was to investigate the effect of neonatal CoCl2 administration in distinct neuronal and behavioral parameters related to SZ. Moreover, we evaluated the role of haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, and caffeine, an adenosinergic antagonist, in this scenario.MethodsWistar rats were treated with CoCl2 (subcutaneous, 60 mg/kg) or saline (NaCl 0.9%) in post-natal day 7 (PND7) – period in which rodent’s brain development is equivalent to human’s in the moment of birth. At PND50 – corresponding to 18 years-old in humans – locomotion, which correlate with SZ positive symptoms, was evaluated. At PND90 – resembling adulthood in humans – social interaction deficit and contextual fear conditioning were analyzed, as indicator of SZ negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms and diminished emotional processing, respectively. Immediately after, all animals underwent euthanasia and had their brains removed and dissected. HIF-1α and VEGF gene expression were analyzed through RT-qPCR at pre-frontal cortex. Additionally, total neurons and positive-parvalbumin (PV+) cells were labelled at pre-frontal cortex and amygdala through immunofluorescence. Four groups were also assessed to behavioral parameters: i) animals challenged with Haloperidol (ip; 0.1 mg/kg) or saline, 30 minutes before the experiments, at PND50 and PND90, and ii) rats treated with caffeine (sc; 10 mg/kg) or saline (at PND6); experiments were also conducted at PND50 and PND90.ResultsOur results show that CoCl2 treatment induced hyperlocomotion at PND50, as well as a decrease in social interaction and time of freezing at contextual fear conditioning test at PND90 when compared to control group. CoCl2 treated-rats also showed an increased expression of HIF-1α e VEGF, diminishment in PV+ neurons at pre-frontal cortex and increasing in amygdala in relation to control group. Moreover, haloperidol reversed behavioral deficits induced by CoCl2 treatment in both PND50 and PND90. Interestingly, the previous caffeine exposure also reversed the effect of CoCl2 at PND50 and PND90.DiscussionIn conclusion, our results indicate that chemical neonatal hypoxia induced behavioral alterations and neuronal changes relevant to SZ, reinforcing the hypoxia participation in the development of this disorder. The abolishment of CoCl2-induced effects after haloperidol reinforces the usage of this model to SZ studies. Importantly, caffeine treatment also warned behavioral modification, strengthening the participation of adenosinergic system in SZ development.