Short-active gestational photoperiod reduces effortful choice behavior in mice, partial normalization by
Benjamin Z Roberts1, Molly A O'Connor1, Johnny A Kenton1
1Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|February 22, 2023
Summary
Gestational exposure to short-active photoperiod, mimicking winter, causes behavioral changes in mice. Prenatal light conditions, not postnatal, are key drivers, suggesting dopamine signaling alterations in psychiatric conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Seasonal birth patterns are linked to psychiatric conditions.
- Short-active (SA) photoperiod exposure during gestation and early life induces behavioral abnormalities in mice, including reduced immobility and amotivation.
- The specific role of prenatal versus postnatal SA photoperiod exposure remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if prenatal or postnatal SA photoperiod exposure drives behavioral changes.
- To assess if gestational SA photoperiod affects effort-based decision-making.
- To investigate if d-amphetamine can remediate SA photoperiod-induced deficits.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to SA photoperiod during gestation (E0-P0) or early life (E0-P28).
- Behavioral tests included the forced swim test (FST) and an effort-based decision-making task (EBDMT).
- D-amphetamine was administered to assess potential remediation of deficits.
Main Results:
- Prenatal SA photoperiod exposure, but not postnatal, reduced FST immobility.
- Gestational SA photoperiod exposure led to reduced preference for high-effort/high-reward choices in the EBDMT.
- A low dose of d-amphetamine (0.1 mg/kg) normalized the effortful choice deficit.
Conclusions:
- Gestational light conditions play a more significant role than postnatal conditions in SA photoperiod's behavioral effects.
- Altered dopamine signaling is implicated in the behavioral phenotype of SA-exposed mice.
- Findings suggest potential mechanisms for winter gestation-associated psychiatric diseases.
