Related Experiment Videos
Prenatal exposure to cocaine: effects on aggression in Sprague-Dawley rats
J M Johns1, M J Means, E W Bass
1Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7250.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to cocaine altered social behaviors in adult rats. While gepirone reduced aggression across groups, this effect was diminished in offspring exposed to amfonelic acid (AFA).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to substances can impact offspring neurodevelopment and behavior.
- Cocaine and amfonelic acid (AFA) are known to affect the central nervous system.
- Serotonergic systems, particularly 5-HT1a receptors, play a role in regulating social and aggressive behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine and amfonelic acid (AFA) on social/aggressive behaviors in adult rat offspring.
- To examine the efficacy of gepirone, a 5HT1a partial agonist, in modulating these behaviors.
- To determine if prenatal exposure influences the response to gepirone.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant rats were administered cocaine, amfonelic acid (AFA), or saline during gestation.
- Offspring behavior was assessed at adulthood using intruder paradigms to measure social/aggressive behaviors.
- Gepirone, a 5HT1a partial agonist, was administered before behavioral testing to assess its modulatory effects.
Main Results:
- Prenatal cocaine exposure led to significant alterations in adult social/aggressive behaviors.
- Gepirone administration reduced aggressive behavior in all treatment groups.
- The anti-aggressive effect of gepirone was less pronounced in offspring prenatally exposed to amfonelic acid (AFA).
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to cocaine has lasting effects on social behavior in rats.
- Gepirone demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for aggression, though its efficacy may be influenced by prenatal exposures.
- Amfonelic acid (AFA) prenatal exposure may alter the neurobiological pathways targeted by 5HT1a agonists.
Abstract:
Social/aggressive behavior in adult rat offspring (beginning at postnatal Day 180) prenatally exposed to saline, cocaine, or amfonelic acid (AFA) was examined. Pregnant rats received injections of 15 mg/kg of cocaine, or 0.9% saline twice daily, s.c., or on 2 consecutive days at 4-day intervals, or 1.5 mg/kg amfonelic acid daily throughout gestational Days 1-20. Frequency, duration, and latency of 11 social/aggressive behaviors were recorded for two 15-min sessions during which a smaller male intruder replaced an ovariectomized female in the resident's home cage. Subjects received a s.c. saline injection before Session 1 and 2.0 mg/kg of gepirone, a 5HT1a partial agonist, prior to Session 2. Prenatal cocaine treatment resulted in alterations of aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior was reduced by gepirone in all groups but to a lesser extent in the AFA group.