Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Behavior Control”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Differential expression pattern and steroid hormone sensitivity of SNAP-25 and synaptoporin mRNA in the telencephalic song control nucleus HVC of the zebra finch.

Gonadal steroid hormones play an important role in the process of sexual differentiation of brain areas and behavior such as singing and song learning in songbirds. These hormones affect behavior controlling circuits on both the gross morphological and ultrastructural levels. Here we study whether the expression of genes coding for synaptic proteins is sensitive to gonadal steroid hormones and whether such altered expression coincides with changes in brain area size. We treated adult male zebra finches with the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole, to reduce estrogen synthesis and analyzed the mRNA expression of the synaptic proteins synaptoporin (SPO) and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 kDa (SNAP-25) in song control areas and surrounding tissues of adult male zebra finches. SPO and SNAP-25 are differently expressed throughout the song system. Generally, the telencephalic song nuclei expressed SNAP-25 at high intensity whereas SPO expression was area-specific. Elevated levels of SNAP-25 mRNA were present in the nucleus hyperstriatalis ventrale pars caudale (HVC) and in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). SPO mRNA was found in moderate levels in the HVC, in low levels in the lateral nucleus magnocellularis (lMAN) and Area X, and was absent in the RA. The treatment significantly increased the mRNA level of SPO in the HVC, whereas SNAP-25 expression level was not affected. These expression patterns are not explained by the decrease of HVC volume after treatment. The decreased HVC size is not area-specific but correlates with an overall reduction in size and an overall increase in cell density of the forebrain.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Field behavior of the nudibranch mollusc Tritonia diomedea.

The nudibranch mollusc Tritonia diomedea has been a useful model system for studies of how the brain controls behavior. However, no broad study of T. diomedea field behavior exists--an important deficit since laboratory behaviors may differ from what occurs in nature. Here we report analysis of time-lapse video of the slugs in their natural habitat to describe behaviors and their relationships to sensory cues. We found that movements relative to conspecifics, prey, and predators correlated with direction of water flow. These observations lead to three new navigational hypotheses: regardless of the actual heading to the target, T. diomedea crawls (1) upstream toward potential mates, (2) upstream toward food, and (3) downstream away from predators. We also describe both the behavior and its sensory context for feeding, escape swims, mating, and egg-laying, among other behaviors. Field behaviors were similar to published descriptions of laboratory behavior. However, the field observations add contextual detail, including preceding and subsequent behaviors and interactions with suites of habitat features not present in the laboratory. For example, the escape swim, previously studied as an isolated behavior in response to a single stimulus, appears to be affected by multiple sensory modalities and coordinated with several other behaviors. Our work will provide a basis for future neuroethological experimentation and also is the first step in the study of navigation in T. diomedea.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The relative efficacy of methylphenidate (ritalin) and behavior-modification techniques in the treatment of a hyperactive child.

Drug versus placebo effects were contrasted with those of contingency management in the treatment of a hyperactive child. Several criterion behaviors were monitored in two different settings to gauge the breadth and generalizability of drug and behavior-management effects. Medication and contingency management effects were both found to be situation specific. No interaction effects were found. Accuracy of task performance, amount of eye contact with the experimenters, frequency of repetitive hand movements, and distractible behavior were apparently unaffected by medication (Ritalin versus placebo) within the clinic. A multiple-baseline design incorporating contingency reversals revealed the reinforcement contingencies to be the crucial variable controlling behavior within the clinic. Medication effects were shown to be significant within the home setting where reinforcement contingencies were not changed. While aggressive behavior decreased as a function of Ritalin, repetitive hand movements increased.

Achievement↗
PubMed2003

Multiple-interval timing in rats: Performance on two-valued mixed fixed-interval schedules.

Three experiments studied timing in rats on 2-valued mixed-fixed-interval schedules, with equally probable components, Fixed-Interval S and Fixed-Interval L (FI S and FI L, respectively). When the L:S ratio was greater than 4, 2 distinct response peaks appeared close to FI S and FI L, and data could be well fitted by the sum of 2 Gaussian curves. When the L:S ratio was less than 4, only 1 response peak was usually visible, but nonlinear regression often identified separate sources of behavioral control, by FI S and FI L, although control by FI L dominated. Data were used to test ideas derived from scalar expectancy theory, the behavioral theory of timing, and learning to time.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Developing a scale of self-management behaviors of parents with asthmatic children in Taiwan through triangulation method].

The purposes of this study were to develop a scale of self-management behaviors for parents with asthmatic children by qualitative and quantitative methods. This research included two phases: (1) to explore the self-management behaviors of successfully managing parents with asthmatic children by in-depth interviewing method. (2) To examine the reliability and validity of self-management behaviors by the quantitative survey of 133 outpatient parents with asthmatic children. The results including four categories, 10 items and 23 self-management behaviors units were inducted from the 16 parents. The four categories are named as (1) Preventive behaviors: controlling environmental factors, taking drugs, avoiding the causes of allergy, improving the body's defenses; (2) Managing behaviors: making decision based on the severity, taking pharmacological management for attacks, and selecting non-pharmacological management for attacks; (3) Assessing behaviors: observing and comparing the symptoms/signs themselves; (4) Alternative treatment. The survey research was conducted with 21 self-management behaviors after refinement by 10 experts. Based on the survey of 133 parents with asthmatic children, the reliability of the scale was shown as Cronbach's alpha .88. The construct validity was established by factor analysis by rotation method with Varimax with Kaiser normalization. Three extracting components were named as preventing behaviors, managing behaviors and assessing behaviors. The cumulative percent of variance of 3 factors was 48.2%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Evaluating the hyperactive child in your office: is it ADHD?

When confronted with the complaints of hyperactivity and impulsivity in a child, the family physician may find it tempting to initiate a complex process leading to the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is arguably the most prevalent neurobiologic disorder in childhood. While the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder cannot be made solely on the basis of office visits, a practical strategy for an initial assessment of hyperactivity and impulsivity in the examination room is extremely important. Careful observation of the child's behavior and strategic questioning of the parents can be helpful in differentiating volitional misbehavior from the neurologically based lack of behavioral control in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. A skilled initial office assessment allows more effective use of behavioral checklists and neuropsychologic tests, increases diagnostic confidence and provides a yardstick for measuring the effectiveness of treatment.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1994

Infusion of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to the oxytocin receptor in the ventromedial hypothalamus reduces estrogen-induced sexual receptivity and oxytocin receptor binding in the female rat.

Exogenous administration of the neuropeptide oxytocin reliably facilitates sexual behavior in the female rat and exposure to estrogen increases oxytocin receptor (OTR) binding in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus. We have used a novel approach to investigate the role of hypothalamic OTR in controlling behavior by infusing antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (oligo) to the 5'-region of the human OTR mRNA into the VMN of hormonally primed rats. Control infusions consisted of a scrambled-sequence oligo that had little or no homology to known mRNAs. OTR antisense oligo infusion significantly reduced lordosis frequency and intensity in females primed with estrogen. There was also a significantly greater number of rejection behaviors exhibited by antisense-oligo-infused estrogen-treated females versus controls and no evidence of decreased locomotion by either treatment. In contrast to the effects in estrogen-primed-females, when females were primed to be sexually receptive with estrogen plus progesterone, OTR antisense-oligo infusion had no effect on sexual behavior. The lack of effectiveness of OTR antisense oligo in females primed with progesterone may be the result of the action of this steroid on other neurotransmitter systems that also facilitate lordosis and thereby override a deficit in oxytocin binding. Alternatively, via previously described mechanisms, progesterone may enhance the effectiveness of oxytocin binding at its receptor. In vitro receptor autoradiography in estrogen-primed females indicated a 31% reduction in VMN OTR binding in the vicinity of the cannula tip in antisense-oligo-infused females compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the level of OTR binding in the central nucleus of the amygdala.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Motivational control of sexual behavior in Aplysia fasciata: sequencing and modulation by sexual deprivation and by addition of partners.

Variables similar to those affecting feeding behavior also modulate sexual behavior in Aplysia fasciata, indicating that mating is under motivational control. Motivated behaviors are often patterned into appetitive and consummatory components. Courtship, the appetitive phase of male sexual behavior, was temporally related to subsequent mating. Although many bouts of courtship failed to lead to mating, most incidents of mating were preceded by courtship. Motivation is also characterized by satiation after the goal of the behavior is achieved. We found an increase in likelihood to mate following a period of sexual isolation. Motivated behaviors are also modulated by environmental stimuli that induce arousal. Time spent mating was found to be a function of the number of potential mates accessible for mating. Number of A. fascinata participating in a mating group was also found to be a function of number of potential mates available.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Hormones and husbandry: control of nesting behavior in poultry production.

Nesting behavior in laying hens is controlled by an interaction of internal and external factors. Initiation of nesting is under hormonal control, but the exact timing, location, and form of the behavior are all affected by husbandry practices. These have important effects on the economics of poultry production. Nesting behavior is triggered by ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone released from the post ovulatory follicle result in the initiation of nest site selection and nest building about 24 hr later. Oviposition then occurs, although it may be delayed by factors such as feeding or disturbance. Selection of nest site is important in deep litter systems, where eggs must be laid in nest boxes for efficient collection. Both the ability of hens to reach nest boxes, and their preference for boxes rather than the floor, are affected by husbandry. Genetic selection, rearing conditions, and design of houses and nest boxes all influence this behavior in different ways. In some circumstances hens show intensive activity before laying. This is particularly common when light hybrids are housed in battery cages: apparently cages do not provide adequate stimuli for sitting and nest building in these birds. This activity is wasteful of energy and may indicate reduced welfare. The problem may be reduced by modification of the environment or selection of stock.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Postischemic insulin reduces spatial learning deficit following transient forebrain ischemia in rats.

We investigated the ability of postischemic insulin administration to modify the structural and neurobehavioral consequences of cerebral ischemia in rats. Forebrain ischemia was induced in fed rats by combining controlled systemic hypotension with bilateral carotid artery clamping for 10 1/2 minutes. Following clamp release, one group of six rats [corrected] was given insulin (2 IU/kg s.c. b.i.d.) for 1 week. An ischemic-control group of five rats [corrected] received no postischemic treatment. A sham-ischemia group of rats was used as a behavioral control. Throughout the recovery period until sacrifice, the drinking water of all rats was supplemented with 25% glucose. Rats were trained on two water maze place navigation tasks 1-2 months after ischemia. Escape latencies and swim patterns were recorded. Performance in the insulin-treated group was better than that in the ischemic-control group (p less than 0.05) on both tasks and did not differ significantly from that of the sham-ischemia group. Improvement in behavior correlated with a significant reduction in CA1 hippocampal necrosis in the insulin-treated group (p less than 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that postischemic treatment with insulin improves neurobehavioral performance in addition to lessening ischemic neuronal necrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Spatial pattern learning in rats: control by an iterative pattern.

Rats searched in a matrix of vertical poles for food hidden on top of the poles. The only information available about the location of the food was the consistent spatial pattern of the baited poles, which was a checkerboard. This spatial pattern of hidden-food locations came to control the choices of poles made by the rats. The experiments ruled out the possibility that this control can be explained by the acquisition of simple response tendencies to move from pole to pole. Instead, this behavioral control of choices was attributed to the development of a representation of the checkerboard pattern of baited locations. Spatial pattern learning may have mechanisms in common with other forms of pattern learning.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Contribution of pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus neurons to performance of visually guided saccade tasks in monkeys.

The cholinergic pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTN) is one of the major ascending arousal systems in the brain stem and is linked to motor, limbic, and sensory systems. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that PPTN would be related to the integrative control of movement, reinforcement, and performance of tasks in behaving animals. To investigate how PPTN contributes to the behavioral control, we analyzed the activity of PPTN neurons during visually guided saccade tasks in three monkeys in relation to saccade preparation, execution, reward, and performance of the task. During visually guided saccades, we observed saccade-related burst (26/70) and pause neurons (19/70), indicating that a subset of PPTN neurons are related to both saccade execution and fixation. Burst neurons exhibited greater selectivity for saccade direction than pause neurons. The preferred directions for both burst and pause neurons were not aligned with either horizontal or vertical axes, nor biased strongly in either the ipsilateral or the contralateral direction. The spatial representation of the saccade-related activity of PPTN neurons is different from other brain stem saccade systems and may therefore relay saccade-related activity from different areas. Increasing discharges were observed around reward onset in a subset of neurons (22/70). These neurons responded to the freely delivered rewards within ~140 ms. However, during the saccade task, the latencies of the responses around reward onset ranged between 100 ms before and 200 ms after the reward onset. These results suggest that the activity observed after appropriate saccade during the task may include response associated with reward. We found that the reaction time to the appearance of the fixation point (FP) was longer when the animal tended to fail in the ensuring task. This reaction time to FP appearance (RTFP) served as an index of motivation. The RTFP could be predicted by the neuronal activity of a subset of PPTN neurons (13/70) that varied their activity levels with task performance, discharging at a higher rate in successful versus error trials. A combination of responses related to saccade execution, reward delivery, and task performance was observed in PPTN neurons. We conclude from the multimodality of responses in PPTN neurons that PPTN may serve as an integrative interface between the various signals required for performing purposive behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A population-based estimate of the prevalence of behavioral risk factors among adult cancer survivors and noncancer controls.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral risk factors have significant biomedical and psychosocial effects for cancer survivors. Representative data on the prevalence of a wide range of behavioral risk factors among cancer survivors are lacking. METHODS: We used data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey to examine the prevalence of smoking, physical inactivity, dietary risk factors, being overweight, risky alcohol use, and sun protection behaviors among a sample of 32,346 adults, 1646 of whom were cancer survivors. RESULTS: With the exception of smoking, there were few differences in age-stratified behavioral risk factor prevalences between cancer survivors and noncancer controls. Among the cancer survivors, there were few differences in behavioral risk factor prevalence rates for survivors of different cancers. Exceptions included a high rate of current smoking for cervical and uterine cancer survivors. The prevalences of physical inactivity, dietary risk factors, and being overweight were relatively high across cancer types, whereas the prevalence of risky drinking was particularly low. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides benchmark estimates of the prevalence of multiple cancer-related behavioral risk factors among U.S. cancer survivors. The results reveal considerable opportunities for behavioral risk factor interventions among cancer survivors. We discuss implications of the results and outline directions for future research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Bacterial social engagements.

Quorum sensing is a process that enables bacteria to communicate using secreted signaling molecules called autoinducers. This process enables a population of bacteria to regulate gene expression collectively and, therefore, control behavior on a community-wide scale. Quorum sensing is widespread in the bacterial world and, generally, processes controlled by quorum sensing are unproductive when undertaken by an individual bacterium but become effective when undertaken by the group. Cell-cell communication can occur within and between bacterial species, and between bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts, which suggests that the chemical lexicon is complex. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic mechanisms for enhancing and inhibiting quorum sensing have been identified, which suggests that manipulation of quorum-sensing-controlled processes could be common in bacterial-bacterial and bacterial-eukaryotic associations.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2000

The relationship between body image discrepancy and body mass index across ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine at what body mass index (BMI) body image discrepancy (BD) was reported in a community sample of 389 white, Hispanic, and black women. In addition, we assessed the trajectory of the BMI-BD relationship as BMI increases by ethnic group. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: All participants were assessed on height and weight and completed the Figure Rating Scale. RESULTS: We found no difference in the proportion of women in each ethnic group reporting BD. However, white women experienced BD at a lower BMI level (BMI = 24.6), and below the criterion for overweight (BMI = 25). In contrast, black and Hispanic women did not report BD until they were overweight (BMIs of 29.2 and 28.5, respectively). Compared with black and white women, Hispanic women registered increases in BD at smaller increases in BMI. DISCUSSION: These findings could have unhealthful implications for weight control behavior. The results encourage a closer look at ethnicity and BD, and their relationship to obesity and weight control.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2003

Uncontrolled chronic disease: patient non-compliance or clinical mismanagement?

A study group of 30 individuals was randomly chosen from 1,379 beneficiaries predicted to be at risk for health care complications at a large, Midwest, industrial company currently experiencing increased health care costs. All 30 individuals had one or more chronic illness, primarily diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or asthma. Through analysis of medical records, a self-reporting health risk assessment survey, and personal contact with both patients and clinicians, each study individual was assessed as to whether his disease(s) was under control, the individual was compliant with his treatment protocol, and whether the supervising clinician was following nationally accepted standards of care. Fewer than 50% of the individuals in the study group had their chronic illness(es) under control. Those individuals whose treatment adhered to national guidelines were significantly more likely to have their disease under control (p < 0.001). For this study, patient compliance was high and unrelated to whether their disease was under control. Behavioral (external) barriers were most often cited as the reason a clinical practitioner did not follow the appropriate national standard of care. Most clinicians were aware of and familiar with the guidelines; a few either did not agree with or misunderstood the guidelines. The results of this study suggest that changing clinical practice behaviors to better ensure compliance to national standards of care may make a substantial difference in chronic disease control.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2001

Stability boundaries and lateral postural control in parkinson's disease.

Postural instability is a major problem in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We examined balance control in PD by using center of pressure (CP) variability and time-to-contact to investigate boundary relevant postural control behavior under quiet stance leaning conditions. Postural orientation was manipulated by having patients (n = 10) and healthy older controls (n = 7) lean forward and backward with varying degrees of lean on a force platform. The subjects were instructed to lean forward or backward (either halfway or as far as possible) without bending their hips or lifting their heels or toes off the ground. Time-to-contact of the CP with the geometric stability boundary defined by the feet as well as CP position and variability were analyzed. Medio-lateral CP variability was increased in the patients with PD. Medio-lateral average time-to-contact was decreased in the patients but not so in the anterior-posterior direction. In contrast to the CP variability, the medio-lateral variability of time-to-contact was lower in the patients. Patients as well as healthy older controls responded to lean manipulations with an increase in CP variability. Boundary relevant CP measures thus show clear changes in control strategies and confirm the role of lateral instability in PD.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Stress-induced changes in circadian rhythms of body temperature and activity in rats are not caused by pacemaker changes.

Previous work has shown that social stress in rats (i.e., defeat by an aggressive male conspecific) causes a variety of behavioral and physiological changes including alterations in the daily rhythms of body temperature and activity. To study the role of the circadian pacemaker in these stress-induced changes, three experiments were performed, successively addressing pacemaker period, phase, and sensitivity to light. In all experiments, rats were subjected to social stress by placing them in the home cage of a dominant conspecific for 1 h. This was done on 2 consecutive days, between the second and fifth hours of the activity phase. Experimental animals were attacked by the resident and lost the fight as indicated by submissive behavior. Control animals were placed in an unfamiliar but clean and empty cage for 1 h. In Experiment 1, the effects of social stress on the period of the free-running activity rhythm were studied. Rats were individually housed under constant dim red light. Activity was measured with infrared detectors. Social defeat caused a reduction of activity for a number of days, but the period of the free-running rhythm was not affected. In Experiment 2, the authors studied whether social defeat induced acute phase shifts. Body temperature and activity were measured by means of radiotelemetry with intraperitoneally implanted transmitters. After the social interactions, experimental animals were kept under constant dim red light. Social stress caused a profound reduction in the amplitude of the body temperature and activity rhythm, but no significant phase shifts occurred. In Experiment 3, the authors studied whether social defeat affected the circadian pacemaker's sensitivity to light given that the size of light-induced phase shifts is thought to reflect pacemaker amplitude. Again, body temperature and activity were measured by means of telemetry. After double social defeat, animals were kept under continuous dim red light. One day after the second conflict, animals were subjected to a single 1-h light pulse (300 lux) at circadian time 14. The light pulse induced a phase delay of the body temperature rhythm, but there were no significant differences between the stress and control groups. The data indicate that stress-induced changes in activity and temperature rhythm, as well as behavioral and physiological changes found in earlier experiments, are not caused by changes in the circadian pacemaker. More generally, the data support the notion that overt rhythms are not always a reliable indication of pacemaker function.

Aggression↗