The gerbil elevated plus-maze I: behavioral characterization and pharmacological validation.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Developing anxiolytics and antidepressants is hindered by NK1 receptor antagonist affinity differences in rats/mice vs. humans.
• Non-traditional species like gerbils, with NK1 receptors more homologous to humans, offer an alternative.
• Limited data exists on gerbil behavior in standard anxiety models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt the elevated plus-maze for gerbil use.
• To characterize gerbil anxiety-like behavior in this model.
• To assess the predictive validity of the gerbil elevated plus-maze for anxiolytic and antidepressant drug effects.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a specially designed elevated plus-maze for gerbils.
• Administered various drugs including anxiolytics (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, buspirone), antidepressants (imipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine), antipsychotics (haloperidol), psychostimulants (amphetamine), and an anxiogenic agent (FG-7142).
• Measured behavioral parameters such as open arm exploration, stretch-attend postures, and head dips, alongside locomotor activity.

Main Results:

• Gerbils displayed an anxiety-like profile, reducing entries and time in the open arm.
• Anxiolytic drugs significantly increased open arm exploration and risk assessment behaviors.
• Antidepressants showed acute anxiolytic-like effects without impacting locomotion.
• Anxiogenic FG-7142 induced anxiety-like behaviors, while haloperidol and amphetamine did not show anxiolytic effects.

Conclusions:

• Gerbils exhibit reproducible anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus-maze.
• The gerbil elevated plus-maze demonstrates predictive validity for anxiolytic drugs.
• This model is suitable for evaluating antidepressants with potential anxiolytic properties.