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PubMed1996

Addiction-risk and aggressive/criminal behaviour in adolescence: influence of family, school and peers

In this study, data from 2814 15- and 16-year-old secondary school students were analysed to investigate the collective influence of family, school and peers on behavioural problems in adolescence. Adolescents with addiction-risk and/or aggressive/criminal behaviour were compared to those who did not display such behaviour. Adolescents with behavioural problems were characterized by having a more negative perception of the environment with regard to most of the variables related with family, school and peers. Clearly behavioural problems are associated with problems in multiple environments. Some differences were found between boys and girls: multiple regression analyses showed that for boys, problems at school were the most important predictor of behavioural problem scores, while for girls, this applied to problems at home.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Doing What Everybody Does? A Procedure for Investigating Behavioural Synchronization

Behavioural synchronization means that the behaviour of several individuals is related in time. They may show the same behaviour either at the same time (synchrony) or explicitly at different moments (anachrony). Here, a procedure is presented, which not only allows quantitative investigation of behavioural synchronization in groups of any size, but also a separate evaluation with respect to each individual and behaviour pattern. The method distinguishes between the purely descriptive degree of concurrence and the degree of synchrony, which takes into account synchrony or anachrony occurring by chance on the basis of particular behaviour frequencies. Some recommendations for the application of the procedure are given and its limitations discussed. Copyright 1997 Academic Press Limited

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Population and behaviour genetics of Drosophila ananassae.

Drosophila ananassae is a cosmopolitan and domestic species. It occupies a unique status among the Drosophila species due to certain peculiarities in its genetic behaviour. The most unusual feature of this species is spontaneous male recombination in appreciable frequency. The present review summarizes the work done on population and behaviour genetics of D. ananassae from India. Population dynamics of three cosmopolitan inversions has been studied in Indian populations of D. ananassae and it is evident from the results that there is a considerable degree of genetic divergence at the level of inversion polymorphism. In general, the populations from south India show more differentiation than those from the north. These three cosmopolitan inversions, which are coextensive with the species, exhibit heterosis. Interracial hybridization does not lead to breakdown of heterosis, which suggests that evidence for coadaptation is lacking in geographic populations of D. ananassae. Heterosis appears to be simple luxuriance rather than populational heterosis (coadaptation). Unlinked inversions occur in random associations, indicating no interchromosomal interactions. However, two inversions of the third chromosome often show strong linkage disequilibrium in laboratory populations, which is due to epistatic gene interaction and suppression of crossing-over. Genetic variations for certain allozyme polymorphism and sternopleural bristle phenotypes in Indian populations of D. ananassae have also been observed. A number of investigations have also been carried out on certain aspects of behaviour genetics of Indian D. ananassae. There is evidence for sexual isolation within D. ananassae. Significant variations in mating propensity of several isofemale strains, inversion karyotypes, the diminishing effects of certain mutations on sexual activity of males and positive response to selection for high and low mating propensity provide evidence for genetic control of sexual behaviour in D. ananassae. Males contribute more to variation and thus are more subject to intra-sexual selection than females. Evidence for rare male mating advantage has also been presented. Geographic strains of D. ananassae show variation with respect to oviposition site preference. The results of studies on pupation site preference, which is an important component of larval behaviour, suggest that larval pupation behaviour in D. ananassae is under polygenic control with a substantial amount of additive genetic variation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Naloxone-reversible effect of spantide on the spinally mediated behavioural response induced by neurokinin-2 and -3 receptor agonists.

[D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-substance P (spantide) was tested for antagonism against the licking, biting and scratching response induced by various neurokinin (NK) receptor agonists and bombesin (Bom) in mice. When co-administered with substance P (SP) intrathecally, spantide reduced the SP-induced behavioural responses in a dose-dependent manner. The duration of this antagonistic effect was approximately 30 min. Behavioural responses induced by physalaemin (Phy), [pGlu6, L-Pro9]-SP (6-11) (septide), [pGlu6, D-Pro7]-SP (6-11) (D-septide) and eledoisin (Ele) were also dose-dependently decreased by relatively small doses of spantide. Higher doses of spantide were needed to reduce the behavioural responses induced by [Sar9, Met (O2)11]-SP, neurokinin A (NK A) and neurokinin B (NK B). No significant effect of spantide was observed against the behavioural responses elicited by Bom. Pretreatment with naloxone, an opioid antagonist, resulted in a reversible effect on the behavioural reduction of NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists produced by spantide. However, the effect of spantide on the NK-1 receptor agonist-induced response was unchanged by naloxone. In homogenates of mouse spinal cord, competition studies confirmed that the binding of the opioid ligand [3H]naloxone was displaced by spantide with a low but measurable affinity. These results suggest that the behavioural response to NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists may be partially inhibited by spantide through the activation of opioid system in the mouse spinal cord.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1995

Role of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid and cholecystokinin receptors in apomorphine-induced aggressive behaviour in rats.

We studied the aggressive behaviour induced by repeated treatment with apomorphine, a dopamine agonist (0.5 mg/kg s.c. twice daily, 10 days), in rats. The first signs of defensive aggressiveness appeared on the third day of apomorphine treatment and were generally seen on the 7th day. Aggressiveness induced by a challenge dose of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg s.c.) on the 11th day was antagonized by haloperidol (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg i.p.) and clozapine (10 mg/kg i.p.). An antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-gated channels, dizocilpine (MK-801), also blocked the aggressive behaviour at 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg i.p. but caused ataxia. When dizocilpine (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) and apomorphine were coadministered for 10 days, aggressive behaviour did not develop. At 0.025 mg/kg i.p., dizocilpine even accelerated the appearance of apomorphine-induced aggressive behaviour, which manifested on the 3rd day in all rats. In a separate study, a 7-day treatment with dizocilpine (0.25-1 mg/kg i.p.) of rats, sensitized by a prior 10-day apomorphine treatment, did not reverse the established aggressive behaviour. The coadministration of apomorphine and cholecystokinin (CCK) -A or -B antagonists, devazepide or L-365,260 (0.01-2.5 mg/kg i.p.) respectively, neither affected development of apomorphine-induced aggressive behaviour nor intensity of aggressiveness in the sensitized rats. In binding studies neither density nor affinity of striatal dopamine D2 receptors was changed by acute or chronic apomorphine treatment. The number of [3H]pCCK-8 binding sites in the frontal cortex increased already after a single injection of apomorphine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aggression↗
PubMed1986

Individual and morphological differences in the behavioural response to apomorphine in rats.

The topography of stereotyped behaviour produced by apomorphine in rats was studied by using either a scoring system, based on observation in a wire cage, or by quantification of horizontal and vertical activities, and of the total distances run in an open field, using an automatic recording system. The latter design was combined with a classification of the type of stereotyped behaviour observed during recording. In addition, the reproducibility of the nature of the stereotyped behaviour and its dose-dependence in individual animals was evaluated. In rats observed in a wire cage, apomorphine at lower doses (0.25 or 0.50 mg/kg SC) produced stereotyped sniffing. Increasing the doses led to stereotyped licking and the largest dose (5.00 mg/kg SC) produced predominantly stereotyped gnawing, as was demonstrated graphically. The type of behaviour produced by 2 mg/kg apomorphine in the open field was reproduced well in individuals after a second administration 4 days later. The shift from sniffing to gnawing was observed in most, but not all of the individually classified animals after administration of the largest dose (5 mg/kg). The locomotor part of motility was highest in "sniffing animals" and lower when gnawing occurred. The non-locomotor part of motility was low in "sniffing rats" and increased when licking and gnawing occurred. In some of the animals a characteristic "climbing" behaviour was observed in addition after the larger doses, which did not interfere with sniffing, licking or gnawing. A combination of classification by observation and automatic recording seems the most appropriate way to study the topography of stereotyped behaviour produced by apomorphine.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The effect of midazolam and beta-carboline carboxylic acid ethyl ester on behaviour, steroid hormones and central monoamine metabolites in social groups of talapoin monkeys.

Established social groups of talapoin monkeys show rank-related differences in aggressive, social and sexual behaviours and visual monitoring, as well as in endocrine and monoamine profiles. Here we describe the effects on these variables of an "anxiogenic drug", beta-carboline carboxylic acid ethyl ester (beta-CCE), and an anxiolytic drug (midazolam) given to either dominant or subordinate male talapoins. In dominant animals beta-CCE increased aggression and visual monitoring but reduced sexual behaviour. Treatment of subordinate animals with beta-CCE served only to increase visual monitoring. Conversely, treatment with a non-sedative acute dose of midazolam in dominants reduced aggressive behaviour and increased sexual behaviour, whereas in subordinates no behavioural changes were noted. Significant effects on endocrine and neurochemical variables were not seen with the acute drug treatments employed. Nevertheless, the results show that drugs which modulate anxiety produce status-dependent behavioural effects.

Aggression↗
PubMed1987

Disruptive effects of low doses of d-amphetamine on the ability of rats to organize behaviour into functional sequences.

A complex laboratory task was used to test the effects of low doses of d-amphetamine on decision making in the white rat. In particular, the animals' ability to organize their behaviour into functional sequences was studied. The rats were required to choose between two options in order to obtain rewards (water). To solve the problem efficiently, the animal must correctly use information currently available about the reward probabilities and the response costs of the two activities. The results showed that already at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg, by comparison with control, the decision rule was significantly affected and the efficiency of the behaviour decreased. At 1 mg/kg, the rats were generally unable to organize their behaviour into functional sequences resulting in rewards even though they were able to perform the separate behavioural responses required to solve the task, as shown in separate control experiments. Low doses of d-amphetamine have previously been described to be "psychomotor stimulant" and, for example, to increase locomotion and exploration. Our conclusion is that these low doses do not increase behavioural output in an adaptive way. In simple tasks where motor output is directly related to a measure of performance, these doses might be interpreted as causing increased efficiency. However, when tested in our complex decision making task, these doses result in suboptimal behaviour.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1988

Behavioural effects of histamine and its antagonists: a review.

This review focuses on the behavioural effects of histamine and drugs which affect histaminergic function, particularly the H1- and H2-receptors antagonists. Research in this area has assumed considerable importance with increasing interest in the role of brain histamine, the clinical use of both H1 and H2 antagonists and evidence of nonmedical use of H1 antagonists. Results from a number of studies show that H1 and H2 antagonists have clear, but distinct subjective effects and that H1 antagonists have discriminative effects in animals. While H1 antagonists are reinforcers in certain conditions, histamine itself is a punisher. Moderate doses of H1 antagonists affect psychomotor performance in some situations, but the results are variable. The exceptions are terfenadine and astemizole, which do not seem to penetrate the blood-brain barrier readily. In studies of schedule-controlled behaviour, marked changes in response rate have been observed following administration of H1 antagonists, with the magnitude and direction dependent on the dose and the baseline behaviour. Histamine reduces avoidance responding, an effect mediated via H1-receptors. Changes in drinking and aggressive behaviour have also been observed following histamine administration and distinct roles for H1- and H2-receptors have been delineated. Separate H1- and H2-receptor mechanisms have also been suggested to account for changes in activity level. While the H2 antagonists do not always have strong behavioural effects when administered peripherally, there is evidence that cimetidine has a depressant effect on sexual function. These and other findings reveal an important role for histaminergic systems in a wide range of behaviour.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Nociceptive neurones in rat superior colliculus. II. Effects of lesions to the contralateral descending output pathway on nocifensive behaviours.

A wealth of evidence implicates the crossed descending projection from the superior colliculus (SC) in orientation and approach behaviours directed towards novel, non-noxious stimuli. In our preceding paper, we identified a population of nociceptive neurones in the rat SC that have axons that project to the contralateral brainstem via this output pathway. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate the prediction that the crossed descending projection of the SC is also involved in the control of orientation and approach movements of the head and mouth made during the localisation of persistent noxious stimuli. An independent-groups design was used to test the effects of interrupting the contralateral descending projection from the SC on the behavioural reactions elicited by noxious mechanical stimuli presented to the tail and hindpaws. In different groups of animals, a microwire knife was used to cut the contralateral descending fibres at two different locations: (1) a sagittal cut at the level of the dorsal tegmental decussation; (2) a bilateral coronal cut of the predorsal bundle at the level of the medial pontine reticular formation. Retrograde anatomical tracing techniques were then used to evaluate the effectiveness of the cuts and to assess possible involvement of non-collicular fibre systems in both lesioned and control animals. Additional behavioural procedures were performed to test for general neurological status and responsiveness of animals to non-noxious stimuli. Anatomical tracing data indicated that the largest population of neurones with fibres severed by both cuts were the cells-of-origin of the contralateral descending projection in the intermediate white layer of the SC. Behavioural results showed that significantly more animals in both lesion groups failed to locate and bite a mechanical clip placed on the tail. Instead of switching to motor behaviours to localise and remove noxious stimuli, they persisted with defensive reactions, which included freezing, vocalisation or forward and backward escape. In contrast, when the clip was placed on the hindpaws, it was successfully localised by most lesioned and control animals; however, lesioned animals had reliably longer latencies and spent less time in close contact with the clip. Consistent with the established role of the contralateral descending projection in non-noxious orientation, lesioned animals also showed orienting deficits to a range of non-noxious sensory stimuli. These data suggest that, under certain behavioural circumstances, nociceptive information from the SC is integral to the elaboration of orienting and approach movements of the head and mouth elicited by persistent noxious stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Sodium valproate: effects on social behaviour and physical development in the mouse.

Sodium valproate given in drinking fluid at 600 mg/l (160-180 mg/kg daily) to breeding mice did not affect fertility, birth weights or physical development of pups. Postnatal and postweaning administration of this dose also had no effects upon development or weight gain. The offspring ingested 103-158 mg/kg valproate daily after weaning. Behaviour was examined in a neutral enclosure by ethological methods. Offspring exposed to valproate in utero and throughout postnatal life showed no behavioural changes at 5 weeks, although at 15 weeks Immobility was reduced in females and Social Investigation increased. At 25 weeks when encountering mice of the opposite sex, treated males showed increase in Social Investigation and treated females increases in Other Non-social Activity. Postnatal and postweaning treatment with valproate caused behavioural changes both in juveniles and adults. After postnatal exposure, reduced Immobility with increased Social Investigation and Explore and Scan occurred at 5 and 15 weeks, at 25 weeks valproate increased Social Investigation in males encountering females and at 30 weeks enhanced Aggression in pair-housed males. Stimulation of Social Investigation was the only significant behavioural effect after postweaning exposure. Overall valproate appears to enhance behaviour stimulated by the test situation; urinary pheromones do not appear to play a part in this behavioural action.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Influence of the administration of psychopharmacological compounds on the take up time of an alimentary material in the hamster and a study of the associated behaviour (author's transl)].

The take up time of a standardized alimentary material is a simple component of hamster hoarding behaviour. This value was modified by administrations of the following compounds: diazepam, chlorpromazine, meprobamate, apomorphine, d-amphetamine, piribedil, fenfluramine, sulpiride, imipramine, phenobarbital, clonidine and morphine. The change consisted of a varying increase in the take up time, dependent upon the substance and dosage. High doses of chlorpromazine, apomorphine and fenfluramine inhibited the take up. A behavioural study connected with alimentary take up was included in the experiment. Some behavioural modifications (increase or decrease in motor activity, myorelaxation, stereotyped exploration, reciprocating movements) demonstrated differences between the studied compounds related to their pharmacological properties. The immediate consumption of food, without take up and hoarding behaviour, observed with meprobamate treatment, was an interesting and unexpected change in hamster behaviour. The measurement of the take up time and analysis of behavioural modifications may be useful in comparing and preliminary screening of new psychopharmacological compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Interactions of morphine with apomorphine: behavioural and biochemical studies.

The interactions of morphine with the agonist at dopamine receptors apomorphine were studied on the behavioural and biochemical level. Apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg s.c.) produced stereotyped sniffing and some licking behaviour. Pretreatment with morphine enhanced licking behaviour and, in addition, produced some gnawing behaviour, a sign which is seen after a larger dose of apomorphine alone as well. This enhancement by morphine was maximal after 3.3 mg/kg i.p. and less pronounced after smaller or larger doses of morphine; naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p.) antagonized the enhancement. Morphine did not affect the decrease in the concentration of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) produced by apomorphine in striatum and nucleus accumbens. In contrast, morphine increased the concentration of 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) in both areas after pretreatment with pargyline (75 mg/kg i.p.), suggesting that it increased the release of dopamine, which might explain the enhancement of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviour. The enhancement by morphine of stereotyped behaviour produced by lisuride (2 or 4 mg/kg i.p.), another agonist at dopamine receptors, was much less pronounced than on apomorphine-induced stereotypies.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Visual scanning behaviour in honeybees.

Freely flying bees were rewarded with sugar solution on a variety of black-and-white shapes as well as on coloured gratings in various training situations. In subsequent dual-choice tests, the bees' discrimination between the various shapes was measured. In addition, the bees were video-filmed while flying in front of the shapes. The scanning patterns thus obtained were then quantified in order to characterize scanning behaviour and its relationship to the geometrical parameters of the scanned shapes, investigate whether scanning plays a role in pattern discrimination and examine the influence of training on the characteristics of scanning. The scanning patterns clearly mirror the contours of the scanned shape in all cases, i.e. the bees fly along the contours contained in the shape. This behaviour does not depend on whether the scanned shape is one that was previously rewarded, or one that is completely novel to the bees. Comparison of the results of quantifying the scanning patterns with the results of dual-choice tests reveals that scanning behaviour is independent of discrimination performance. On the average, horizontal scanning directions occur more often than vertical directions. Variations of the training situation produce measurable differences in scanning behavior. However, except in the case of vertical scanning on a vertical grating, these differences are quite small, indicating that following contours is a largely stereotyped behaviour. Horizontal gratings are very well discriminated from vertical ones even if they offer contrast to only one receptor type, i.e. blue or green, demonstrating that the direction of contours is visible to the pattern recognition system even under these conditions. However, vertical and horizontal coloured gratings offering only blue-contrast do not elicit contour-following, whereas gratings offering only green-contrast do. Thus, the bees' scanning behaviour is colour-blind and most probably governed by the green receptors. We suggest that contour-following is the by-product of a behavioural mode which serves to prevent retinal image movement during flight in front of a contoured visual pattern.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Patterns of health-related behaviour and their cross-cultural validity--a comparative study on two populations of young people.

The study aimed at exploring health-related behaviour patterns among young people. The approach was cross-cultural and the study was focused on identifying culturally valid behaviour patterns in two countries, Finland (F) and Switzerland (CH). Data came from two surveys and included 16- and 18-year-old respondents (F: study year 1993, n = 280, CH: study year 1992/3, n = 272). Three intake behaviours--eating, drinking and smoking--were analysed by means of cluster and logistic regression analyses. Three cross-culturally valid behaviour clusters emerged: a healthy, an unhealthy and a mixed pattern where unhealthy eating behaviours were combined with non-smoking and low alcohol use. The determinants of the patterns were tested by comparing the two countries in relation to the socio-demographic characteristics of the young people that belonged in the same cluster. In both countries the structure of the determinants was almost identically indicating high cross-cultural stability. The study suggests that among young people of this age there is clear and cross-culturally consistent patterning of health-related behaviours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Behavioural assessment of pinealectomy and foetal pineal gland transplantation in rats: Part II.

Pineal gland is an endocrine organ which exerts regulatory effects on the activity of various organs and systems. The present study was undertaken to highlight in experimental animals the possible integrative function of this endocrine organ on a behavioural pattern. Pinealectomy and foetal pineal gland transplantation to a subpial cortical area close to the pinealectomized region was performed. Behaviour was defined through motor activity induced by low (2 mg/kg) and high (10 mg/kg) doses of amphetamine in rats. It was shown that pinealectomy produced significant different patterns of behaviour induced by low and high doses of amphetamine. In sham operated animals low dose amphetamine induced a significant locomotor stimulation but without stereotyped activity. High dose amphetamine induced stereotyped activity. After pinealectomy even low dose amphetamine produced the behavioural pattern of stereotyped activity resembling a high dose amphetamine-induced behaviour. This differential effect of amphetamine, seen in pinealectomized rats, was completely restored after transplantation. On the other hand, melatonin treatment did not generate a significant alteration of behavioural profile either in the control or pinealectomized group of rats. Results are discussed with regard to the general regulatory function of the pineal gland.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1984

What can specific behavioural testing procedures contribute to the assessment of neurotoxicity in laboratory animals?

Subchronic testing of laboratory animals in accordance with present regulatory guidelines involves maximum exposure with the chemical under investigation and serves for the evaluation of systemic toxicity as well as of lesions in organs and organ systems, including neurotoxicity. The primary assessment of neurotoxicity is essentially based on the overall observation of animal behaviour in the course of the customary toxicity studies and on the subsequent neuropathological evaluation with contemporary techniques. Under this maximum exposure the absence of symptoms and signs of neural abnormalities indicates that the material tested would be devoid of neurotoxicity. Any overt or suspicious symptoms for neurotoxicity appearing in the course of subchronic testing may be further characterized with additional functional tests such as neurological examination, electrodiagnostics and possibly with specific behavioural tests. The subsequent neuropathological investigation would have to be expanded to include a detailed evaluation of all neural structures possibly related with the above functional derangements. In case of relevant neurotoxicity subsequent specific behavioural tests might include the evaluation of complex neural functions such as integrated psycho-neuro-motor activity and memory. These behavioural tests might help to explain neurotoxicity and to assess behaviour at low levels of exposure. The implementation of such specific behavioural testing procedures beyond the scope of routine toxicity studies would require a group of investigators capable to carry out appropriate tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Genetic differences in maternal behaviour patterns in mice administered phenobarbital during pregnancy.

In a study designed to examine the role of the genotype on sensitivity to drug-induced behavioural changes, pregnant C57BL/6J and CBA mice were administered 60 mg/kg phenobarbital (PHB) intraperitoneally during days 10-16 of gestation. Following a balanced intrastrain fostering procedure, the behaviour of lactating dams was observed in their home cage at 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days postpartum. As the pups became older, maternal behaviour declined in control groups, whereas PHB dams of the CBA strain persisted in nursing their pups. C57 dams were generally affected in an opposite way by PHB exposure. For example, treated dams spent significantly less time in licking behaviour. Nest quality score was especially elevated in PHB dams of the CBA strain, while in C57 dams, nest-building was inhibited and nest quality unaffected by the previous PHB exposure. These results indicate that specific items of maternal behaviour can be differently affected by PHB exposure, and that the responses are affected by the genotype. To summarise, pups raised by treated dams may receive either exaggerated or insufficient maternal attention, as a result of changes in neurotransmitter systems and behavioural regulation following phenobarbital exposure. These results point to the need for a better understanding of mother/pup interactions in studies aimed at characterizing drug and toxicant effects on postnatal development.

Animals↗