Reduction In Social Interaction Research Articles

Gestational valproic acid exposure enhances facial stimulation-evoked cerebellar mossy fiber-granule cell transmission via GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor in offspring mice

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most effective antiepileptic drugs, and exposing animals to VPA during gestation has been used as a model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have shown that impaired synaptic transmission in the cerebellar cortical circuits is one of the reasons for the social deficits and repetitive behavior seen in ASD. In this study, we investigated the effect of VPA exposure during pregnancy on tactile stimulation-evoked cerebellar mossy fiber-granule cell (MF-GC) synaptic transmission in mice anesthetized with urethane. Three-chamber testing showed that mice exposed to VPA mice exhibited a significant reduction in social interaction compared with the control group. In vivo electrophysiological recordings revealed that a pair of air-puff stimulation on ipsilateral whisker pad evoked MF-GC synaptic transmission, N1, and N2. The evoked MF-GC synaptic responses in VPA-exposed mice exhibited a significant increase in the area under the curve (AUC) of N1 and the amplitude and AUC of N2 compared with untreated mice. Cerebellar surface application of the selective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker D-APV significantly inhibited facial stimulation-evoked MF-GC synaptic transmission. In the presence of D-APV, there were no significant differences between the AUC of N1 and the amplitude and AUC of N2 in the VPA-exposed mice and those of the untreated mice. Notably, blockade of the GluN2A subunit-containing, but not the GluN2B subunit-containing, NMDA receptor, significantly inhibited MF-GC synaptic transmission and decreased the AUC of N1 and the amplitude and AUC of N2 in VPA-exposed mice to levels similar to those seen in untreated mice. In addition, the GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor was expressed at higher levels in the GC layer of VPA-treated mice than in control mice. These results indicate that gestational VPA exposure in mice produces ASD-like behaviors, accompanied by increased cerebellar MF-GC synaptic transmission and an increase in GluN2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor expression in the offspring.

Prenatal Exposure to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 Induces Autism-Like Behaviors in Male Neonatal Rats: Insights into WNT and BDNF Signaling Perturbations

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the swift development and distribution of mRNA vaccines, including BNT162b2, to address the disease. Concerns have arisen about the potential neurodevelopmental implications of these vaccines, especially in susceptible groups such as pregnant women and their offspring. This study aimed to investigate the gene expression of WNT, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, specific cytokines, m-TOR expression, neuropathology, and autism-related neurobehavioral outcomes in a rat model. Pregnant rats received the COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine during gestation. Subsequent evaluations on male and female offspring included autism-like behaviors, neuronal counts, and motor performance. Molecular techniques were applied to quantify WNT and m-TOR gene expressions, BDNF levels, and specific cytokines in brain tissue samples. The findings were then contextualized within the extant literature to identify potential mechanisms. Our findings reveal that the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine significantly alters WNT gene expression and BDNF levels in both male and female rats, suggesting a profound impact on key neurodevelopmental pathways. Notably, male rats exhibited pronounced autism-like behaviors, characterized by a marked reduction in social interaction and repetitive patterns of behavior. Furthermore, there was a substantial decrease in neuronal counts in critical brain regions, indicating potential neurodegeneration or altered neurodevelopment. Male rats also demonstrated impaired motor performance, evidenced by reduced coordination and agility. Our research provides insights into the effects of the COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine on WNT gene expression, BDNF levels, and certain neurodevelopmental markers in a rat model. More extensive studies are needed to confirm these observations in humans and to explore the exact mechanisms. A comprehensive understanding of the risks and rewards of COVID-19 vaccination, especially during pregnancy, remains essential.

Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Neuromodulatory Drugs on Normal and Stress-Induced Social Interaction in Rats.

Social behavior is a complex term which involves different interactions between various individuals of a community. It is controlled by different neurotransmitter systems in a sexually dimorphic way. Certain environmental factors, like stress, cause various neurological disorders with associated social abnormalities in a sexually dimorphic way. Multiple drugs are used in clinical settings to treat behavioral disorders. However, the sexually dimorphic effects of these drugs, particularly on social behavior, still need to be studied. The present study was designed to investigate the sex-dependent effects of Risperidone, Donepezil, and Paroxetine in 8-12 weeks old male and female rats under normal and stressed conditions. There were four male and four female groups, i.e., control group (no drug treatment), Risperidone (3 mg/kg/day) treated group, Donepezil (5 mg/kg/day) treated group, and Paroxetine (10 mg/kg/day) treated group. Each group received its respective drug during phase 1 for 21 days, followed by a 10-day break with no drug treatment. After the break, same groups received the same drugs along with tilt-cage stress for an additional 21 days during phase 2. A social preference and novelty test was performed at the end of both phases (1 and 2). During phase 1, Risperidone treatment caused impaired social behavior and reduced locomotion in the male group only, compared to its control group. Donepezil treatment caused a reduction in social interaction, while Paroxetine treatment caused increased social interaction and locomotion in a sex-dependent manner. During phase 2, social novelty was affected in both male and female stress groups. Treatment with drugs along with stress showed differential sex-dependent effects. The study showed a predominant effect of Risperidone on males while there were differential effects of Donepezil and Paroxetine on both sexes. This study has paved the way for the development of more targeted and effective neuromodulatory drugs for use against various psychiatric and social deficits.

Risk factors and strategies for prevention of depression, anxiety and eating disorders among adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a review.

The purpose of this review is to identify prevalent trends and risk factors in depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in the adolescent population in the post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scenario. We examined the literature published on adolescent mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic. We chose to summarize studies published from 2019 to 2022, using bibliographic search tools. We developed criteria for selecting articles for our review using diagnostic indicators and keywords. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders are commonly prevalent in this population and have shown increasing rates in the past three years. Some risk factors associated with these diagnoses include reduction in social interaction, increased workloads, routine shifts, sleep quality, social media usage and parental involvement. Routines, sleep cycles, physical activity, and social media should all be considered as a part of prevention in this population. Approaches that seem to be successful include maintaining social ties and avoiding negative social media usage with harmful content. Increased global public awareness, as well as parental awareness, through media campaigns, is critical to slowing the spread of mental health challenges in adolescents and teenagers in the post-COVID-19 era.

Ameliorating age-dependent effects of resveratrol on VPA-induced social impairments and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of neurodevelopmental disorder

Although anxiety disorders, as well as difficulties in social interaction, are documented in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder, the effectiveness of potential therapeutic procedures considering age and sex differences is under serious discussion. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol (RSV) on anxiety-like behaviors and social interaction in juvenile and adult rats of both sex in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced autistic-like model. Prenatal exposure to VPA was associated with increased anxiety, also causing a significant reduction in social interaction in juvenile male subjects. Further administration of RSV attenuated VPA-induced anxiety symptoms in both sexes of adult animals and significantly increased the sociability index in male and female juvenile rats. Taken together, it can be concluded that treatment with RSV can attenuate some of the harsh effects of VPA. This treatment was especially effective on anxiety-like traits in adult subjects of both sexes regarding their performance in open field and EPM. We encourage future research to consider the sex and age-specific mechanisms behind the RSV treatment in the prenatal VPA model of autism.

Protective Effect of Nimodipine Against Valproic-acid Induced Biochemical and Behavioral Phenotypes of Autism.

Present study was designed to investigate behavioral and biochemical role of nimodipine in prenatal valproic acid (Pre-VPA) induced autism in rats. Valproic acid was utilized to induce autistic phenotypes in Wistar rats. The rats were assessed for social behavior. Hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were utilized for various biochemical assessments, whereas cerebellum was used to assess blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Pre-VPA rats showed reduction social interaction. Pre-VPA administration were decreased PFC levels of interleukin- 10 (IL-10), and glutathione along with hippocampus cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Also, the animals have shown increase in PFC levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, Evans blue leakage and water content. Nimodipine countered Pre-VPA administered reduction in social interaction, CREB, BDNF, inflammation, oxidative stress, BBB permeability. Pre-VPA has induced autistic phenotype, which were attenuated by nimodipine in rats. Nimodipine and other calcium channel blockers should further investigate to check the management of autism.

A COVID–19-járvány első két hullámának hatása a rendészeti hallgatók alkohol és koffeinfogyasztására, valamint dohányzási szokásaira

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the first two waves of the COVID–19 epidemic and the introduced epidemiological measures and the changes in alcohol and caffeine consumption and smoking habits among Hungarian law enforcement students.Methodology: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among law enforcement students (N=556) at the University of Public Service Faculty of Law Enforcement (UPS FLE). The study sample (N=180) was 57.2% male (n=103) and 42.8% female (n=77).Findings: The results show that during the first wave of the pandemic, 9% of law enforcement students, who consumed alcohol, 25% of occas ional and regular smokers and 13.5% of caffeinated drinkers increased their consumption. There was no significant difference between male and female in the consumption of any of these drugs (palcohol=0.452471; psmoking=0.532113; pcaffeine=0.059011; p>0.05). However, among occasional and regular alcohol users and smokers, there was a significant association between changes in the level of substance use and existing patterns of consumption. Regular drinkers were 5.7 times more likely to increase their consumption during the pandemic than occasional drinkers (25.0 vs. 4.4%). Daily smokers also showed a nearly two-fold increase in substance use compared to occasional smokers (30.8% vs. 16.7%). Our results suggest that the main reason for increase in alcohol consumption among law enforcement students were primarily due t o the increased unstructured leisure time ( =3.12; SD=1.454), the required law enforcement duty ( =2.81; SD=1.515), and the increased anxiety caused by lockdowns ( =2.75; SD=1,437). Furthermore, required law enforcement duty may also have played a role in the increase in smoking ( =3.81; SD=1.601) and caffeine consumption ( =3.86; SD=1.632). However, the reduction in social interactions may play a crucial role in the decrease of use of all three psychoactive substances.Value: One of the most striking consequences of the first wave of the COVID–19 epidemic among young adults was the introduction of online education in universities worldwide. University students, including law enforcement students, have faced many challenges. These influenced alcohol and caffeine consumption and smoking in different ways.

Opening or Not Opening Educational Centers in Time of SARS-CoV-2? Analysis of the Situation in Galicia (Spain)

The appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the world stage has implemented changes in all social activities and, therefore, in teaching at all educational levels. On the one hand, it is argued that the closure of centers and virtual teaching minimizes the risk of contagion and, on the other, this closure implies a reduction in social interactions in the population at ages in which social skills are lower developing. In addition, it is necessary to guarantee that all children and adolescents have access to the necessary means for distance education. This article analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second, third and fourth waves in Galicia (northwestern region of Spain), where the centers were kept open with strict security protocols, with the aim of evaluating whether the measure of the center closure is a proportionate measure or not. The results obtained show that, at all educational levels, the incidence of infections has been low, as has the appearance of outbreaks of infections related to educational centers, so the damage caused by this measure can be considered uncompensated, with greater health security.

Radioactive decay, health and social capital: Lessons from the Chernobyl experiment

We exploit the random variation in health patterns across European regions that resulted from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to provide new quasi-experimental evidence on the causal effect of health patterns on social capital. Our instrumental variable estimations show that the radioactive fallout is positively associated with an increase in hospital discharges after treatment for neoplasms almost thirty years later, the magnitude of the effect being in line with other studies investigating the health effects of low-dose radiation exposure. An increased incidence of neoplasms in the local area of residence induced by the radioactive fallout, and the resulting perception of higher risks of contracting potentially deadly diseases among the healthy population, generates a sizeable impoverishment of social capital and a reduction in social interactions, altruism and happiness. Our findings suggest that health care and prevention policies may have additional returns in terms of a significant increase in communities’ social capital.

Experience of Dry Eye Patients With Anxiety and Depression: A Qualitative Study.

PurposeAnxiety and depression are important risk factors for dry eye disease (DED). The aims of this research are to identify the cause of anxiety and depression in DED patients and explore their strategies in coping with DED.MethodsThis is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews, and the interviews records were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Participants were recruited from a large university affiliated hospital in the north of China, including 47 participants affected by depression and anxiety.ResultsAnalysis revealed the causes of anxiety and depression in DED patients could be divided into three major themes and nine subthemes: (1) From hospital: including difficulties in diagnosing and seeking medical advice, neglect or lack of attention from clinicians, low treatment satisfaction and complex comorbidities; (2) From daily life: including life satisfaction and well-being, changes in lifestyle pattern and changes in workstyle pattern; (3) From society: including burden of disease and reduction of social interaction. Most DED Patients with anxiety and depression were more likely to face the condition as well as receive treatments negatively, while the others tended to seek treatments unduly and blindly.ConclusionThis investigation offers new insights into the understanding difficulties in DED patients with anxiety and depression, and provides valuable guidance for supporting them to reduce depression and anxiety as well as improve prognosis.

Teaching a geography field methods course amid the COVID-19 pandemic: reflections and lessons learned

ABSTRACT Field-based education is interactive, hands-on, and based on real world experience and methodology, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has faced special challenges. As many institutions may struggle to maintain this vital component of geographic education, this resource paper aims to illustrate the impacts of the pandemic and provide some strategies to overcome the challenges from the experience of teaching a field methods course at a university in Texas. While many studies have focused on evaluating field instruction amidst the pandemic, our commentary focuses on both a ground-based perception from instructors and students and a comparison before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. We found that virtual attendance is disadvantageous to teaching and learning, and transferable skills like teamwork and communication are compromised due to a reduction in social interaction. However, intrapersonal skills such as observation, note-taking, and organization were better received in students’ learning. Students expressed minimal safety concerns about the on-campus fieldwork given the conformity to the safety and health protocols. Based on the existing literature and our experience, we conclude with four generalized recommendations to share with colleagues in a similar situation, hoping to help retain the critical role of field-based education even under disruption.

Stigma, lost opportunities, and growth: Understanding experiences of caregivers of persons with mental illness in Tamil Nadu, India.

This study aimed to address gaps in understanding of the lived experiences of caregivers of persons with mental illness in low-income countries. It was conducted among caregivers of persons with mental illness making use of a free non-governmental clinic in and around Chennai, India. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, with semi-structured interviews and life history exercises (n = 29) and six focus group discussions with caregivers (n = 21) and mental health professionals and community-based workers (n = 39). The experiences of caregivers were analyzed in the framework of "The Banyan model of caregiving," which identifies six phases. Major themes in caregivers' experience were: embarrassment and losing honor; fear; awareness; stigma and social exclusion; and reduced social interaction and loneliness. Posttraumatic growth considered as the result of caregiver experiences was found to consist mainly of personal growth and focusing on positive life experiences. Lost opportunities particular to the context of Tamil Nadu were described as the inability to get married, obtaining less education than desired, and loss of employment. Siblings faced lower levels of burden, while elderly mothers experienced especially high levels of burden and lack of happiness in life. Caregiver gains were identified as greater compassion for other people with disabilities, resulting in a desire to help others, as well as increased personal strength and confidence. Understanding the nuances of the caregiving experiences over time can provide a framework to devise more fine-tuned support structures that aim to prevent reductions in social interaction and lost opportunities, and improve a sense of meaning, in order to assist caregivers to continue providing care for their relatives with mental illness in a context with scarce mental health resources.

Abstract WP243: Intraperitoneal Igf1 Treatment Modulates The Chronic Impact Of Ischemic Stroke In Reproductively Senescent Female Rats By Repairing The Gut While Icv-igf-1 Does Not

Background: Our previous studies have shown that reproductively senescent (RS) female rats, who have lower circulating levels of the peptide hormone Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), display worse outcomes after a stroke event than young adult female rats. ICV administration of IGF-1, decreases infarct volume, improves sensory motor performance, and reduces cytokine levels in the ischemic hemisphere of RS females as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Yet, icv IGF1 administration failed to attenuate peripheral inflammation cognitive decline and depressive behaviors in the chronic phase of stroke. In view of the evidence that stroke induces gut dysbiosis, and that gut dysfunction is implicated in depressive and cognitive behaviors, we hypothesize that, unlike icv administration of IGF-1, which is restricted to the brain, systemic i.p. administration of IGF1 would repair the gut, attenuate peripheral cytokine levels and improve long-term behavior outcomes. Methods: Acyclic middle-aged Sprague Dawley female rats (9-11 mos) were subjected to endothelin-1 induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) or sham operation. Animals received IGF1 via i.p. injections 4h post MCAo and 24 h post MCAo, or icv infusions, while controls received vehicle. Sensory motor tests, blood and gut samples were acquired pre and post MCAo. Animals were terminated either in the acute phase (2d) or chronic phase (20d). The latter group was also subject to tests of cognition and depressive-like behavior. Results: In contrast to icv treatment, i.p.-IGF-1 did not reduce infarct volume or acute sensory motor impairment but significantly attenuated circulating levels of TNFα and IL12p70. In addition, ip-IGF-1 significantly attenuated post stroke gut dysmorphology, by preserving villus:crypt ratio and expression of tight junction proteins ZO1 and claudin-2. In addition, i.p. IGF1 treatment attenuated the reduction of social interaction and novel object preference post MCAo. Conclusion: Since long term disability after stroke is correlated with elevated levels of peripheral cytokines, our data suggest that systemic IGF1 may be a better therapeutic option for long term cognitive and depressive behaviors after stroke.

Factors influencing changes in daily life due to the state of emergency among older adults living in Akita Prefecture

The present study is assessed the effects of COVID-19 on the mental and physical function after the declaration of an emergency situation, which included the request that residents refrain from going out, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. The investigation was conducted from 2019 to 2020. Our samples consisted of 506 older adults (332 people in 2019 and 174 people in 2020), whose physical, cognitive, depression, and independence in daily and social activities were measured annually. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey (COVID-19 questionnaire) on the impact of the spread of COVID-19 infection on respondents' daily lives (reduction in social interaction, going out, exercise, and sleep time) was conducted among participants in 2020. According to a statistical analysis, the UWS (Usual Walking Speed) was significantly faster in 2020 than it had been in 2019 (p<0.000). However, no significant differences were found in other items. A correlation analysis, revealed a significant association between the reduction in sleep time and GDS-15 (Geriatric Depression Scale) score (r=0.200, p=0.019) and between the COVID-19 questionnaire total score and body mass index (r=0.282, p=0.001).These results suggest that the decline in the physical and mental function might not have been evident in older adults in Akita Prefecture, where the number of infected people is small, although a more detailed long-term follow-up is needed. Even in such areas, there might be a significant relationship between depression and sleep or between changes in daily life due to self-imposed restraint and obesity as an effect of self-imposed restraint among older adults.

Exploring the Experiences of Persons Living With Dementia and Their Care Partners During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Public health measures implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have transformed the physical and social environments in which we live. The effects of these policies on persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners (CPs) are not fully understood. This study explores the experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of caregiving dyads during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional survey data were drawn from a larger longitudinal study examining the relationship between PLWD aged 65+ and their CPs being conducted in a metropolitan city significantly affected by COVID-19. Interviews with were conducted remotely via videoconferencing and telephone. Data on sources and types of care provided for the PLWD, relationship quality and conflict, and caregiver stress were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and tests of independence. Preliminary results from PLWD (n=8) and CPs (n=13) confirmed a reduction in social interaction with family members and friends. CPs reported they (n=5) or other family members (n=2) changed their schedules to provide care for the PLWD. CPs reported increased conflict with the PLWD regarding care provision, going out or welcoming visitors, and home management. In contrast, PLWD reported a lack of conflict among household members (n=6) and the perception of good changes (n=2) and increased quality time with CPs. Preliminary findings provide empirical evidence of the effects of pandemic public health policies on dyads enrolled in this study and reveal differences in perceived relational conflict between PLWD and their CPs. Further research is needed to better understand the experiences of dyads and develop supportive interventions.

Comparing behavior following binge ethanol in adolescent and adult DBA/2 J mice

The adolescent brain undergoes maturation in areas critically involved in reward, addiction, and memory. Adolescents consume alcohol more than any other drug, typically in a binge-like manner. While adults also binge on alcohol, the adolescent brain is more susceptible to ethanol-related damages due to its ongoing development, which may result in persistent behavioral and physical changes, including differences in myelination in the frontal cortex. Sex also impacts ethanol metabolism and addiction progression, suggesting females are more sensitive than males. This study addressed memory, sociability, ethanol sensitivity, and myelin gene expression changes due to binge ethanol, sex, and age. DBA/2 J males and females were exposed to intermittent binge ethanol (4 g/kg, i.g.) from postnatal day (PND) 29–42 or as adults from PND 64–77. Age groups were tested for behaviors at the early phase (24 h – 7 days) and late phase (starting 3 weeks) after the last dose. Adult prefrontal cortex was collected at both phases. Adolescent ethanol impaired late phase memory while adult ethanol showed no impairment. Meanwhile, adolescent males showed early phase tolerance to ethanol-induced locomotor activation, while adult females showed tolerance at both phases. Adult-treated mice displayed reductions in social interaction. Adult ethanol decreased Mal expression, a gene involved in myelin integrity, at the early phase. No differences in myelin gene expression were observed at the late phase. Thus, adolescent binge ethanol more severely impacts memory and myelin gene expression compared to adult exposure, while adult mice display ethanol-induced reductions in social interaction and tolerance to ethanol’s locomotor activation.

Loneliness experience through COVID‐19 pandemic and lockdown is related with resting‐state brain networks functional connectivity

BackgroundThe reduction in social interactions often associated with old age frequently initiates or aggravates loneliness, increasing the risk of a number of diseases including depression and dementia (Mushtaq et al., JCDR. 2014;8(9):E01–WE4.). Loneliness has been related to particular patterns of brain resting‐state networks (RSNs; Spreng et al., Nat Commun. 2020;11(1):6393). However, the role of RSNs in a resilient response to reductions of social interactions remains unknown and the COVID‐19 pandemic provides a unprecedent opportunity to investigate it.MethodRepeated loneliness assessments were collected by the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative (BBHI; www.bbhi.cat/en/) using the short UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell et al., J Pers Assess. 1978; 42(3):290–294). Two timepoints were measured over two years prior to COVID‐19 outbreak and four thereafter (March, April, June and October 2020). We used baseline resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI), from 281 participants (mean age 53.91±7.35; 137 women), acquired within 1‐2 years prior to the pandemic to compute resting‐state functional connectivity (rs‐FC) for each pair of nodes defined by the Schaefer‐Yeo atlas. Then, we utilized partial least squares (PLS) analysis for the decomposition of two multivariate sets (i.e., rs‐FC and loneliness scores) into latent variables of maximal covariation.ResultWe identified two latent trajectories significantly correlated with two latent connectivity patterns, each of them describing approximately opposite baseline rs‐FC and loneliness levels during the months with the most severe restrictions (i.e., March and April). The first latent trajectory showed greater baseline loneliness improving during the pandemic, associated with higher within‐network connectivity in the limbic and salience networks. The second trajectory captured individuals with baseline loneliness levels similar to the average population, improving in March, at the beginning of outbreak, and worsening in April, which was related to lower baseline within‐network connectivity in the DMN and higher in the dorsal attention and visual circuits.ConclusionPresent findings reveal specific associations between RSNs’ functional connectivity and opposite changes in feelings of loneliness during an unanticipated period of severe social restrictions. Specifically, lower rs‐FC of limbic networks combined with high connectivity of salience system at baseline suggested greater resilience to the negative impact during the pandemic on loneliness.

Daily perceived stress predicts less next day social interaction: Evidence from a naturalistic mobile sensing study.

Although mammals have a strong motivation to engage in social interaction, stress can significantly interfere with this desire. Indeed, research in nonhuman animals has shown that stress reduces social interaction, a phenomenon referred to as "stress-induced social avoidance." While stress and social disconnection are also intertwined in humans, to date, evidence that stress predicts reductions in social interaction is mixed, in part, because existing paradigms fail to capture social interaction naturalistically. To help overcome this barrier, we combined experience sampling and passive mobile sensing methods with time-lagged analyses (i.e., vector autoregressive modeling) to investigate the temporal impact of stress on real-world indices of social interaction. We found that, across a 2-month period, greater perceived stress on a given day predicted significantly decreased social interaction-measured by the amount of face to face conversation-the following day. Critically, the reverse pattern was not observed (i.e., social interaction did not temporally predict stress), and the effect of stress on social interaction was present while accounting for other related variables such as sleep, movement, and time spent at home. These findings are consistent with animal research on stress-induced social avoidance and lay the groundwork for creating naturalistic, mobile-sensing based human models to further elucidate the cycle between stress and real-world social interaction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Social Instability Stress in Adolescence and Social Interaction in Female Rats

Adolescence is a critical time of brain development for regions governing social behaviour and social learning. Social experiences influence the ongoing maturation of the neural structures and ultimately modify the social behaviour of adults in response to social cues. Social instability stress in adolescence (SS; daily 1-hour isolation + change of cage partner in postnatal days [PND] 30–45) leads to a long-lasting reduction in social interaction in SS rats compared with non-stressed (CTL) rats in males; here we investigate females. In a first experiment, we found that female rats exposed to adolescent SS also showed the decrement in social interaction irrespective of age at which tested, and replicated the effects previously found in males. In experiment 2, which involved females only, SS and CTL rats did not differ in anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the reduction in social interaction was not significant. Nevertheless, when tested in adolescence at P47 (and not at P71), SS female rats had higher corticosterone release during the social interaction test than did CTL rats, and they exhibited a different pattern of neural activation as measured by immunoreactivity to the protein products of zif268 and c-fos (SS < CTL in medial prefrontal cortex and SS > CTL in hippocampus), and reduced oxytocin immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus than did CTL rats. These results extend our previous findings of effects of SS in adolescent female rats on behavioural responses to psychostimulants to social behaviour, and point to directions for investigations of the neural mechanisms involved.

The accentuation in post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms induced by diabetes in rats is not associated with a further increase in astrocyte activation in the hippocampus

Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show increased rates of several serious metabolic diseases. However, little is known about pre-existing metabolic diseases and the development of PTSD. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development in rats with preexisting diabetes. In addition, we quantified glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the hippocampus of the experimental animals. For this, we used male Wistar rats and divided them into two groups: saline and alloxan (150 mg/Kg, i.p.). The animals were weighed, and plasma glucose was measured after 48 h of diabetes induction by alloxan. The animals were either exposed to inescapable footshocks or not, followed by social isolation. After 14 days, the animals were re-exposed to the box, and the freezing time was evaluated for 10 min. Over the following days, the animals were tested on the open field, social interaction and forced swimming tests. In another group of animals, elevated plus maze and object recognition tests were performed. Our results demonstrated that animals with diabetes had more pronounced PTSD-like symptoms as a reduction in social interaction, an increase in immobility time in forced swimming, a reduction in permanence in the open arms of the elevated plus maze, and a deficit in the object recognition index more accentuated. However, this did not reflect astrocyte activation in the hippocampus. In conclusion, diabetes accentuates post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms but not astrocyte activation in the hippocampus.