Publications

Social housing promotes cognitive function through enhancing synaptic plasticity in APP/PS1 mice

Previous studies have shown that loneliness increases the risk of AD (Alzheimer's disease) onset, while active and frequent social housing delays the onset of cognitive impairment. The mechanism of how this occurs remains unclear. In this study, we investigated how...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Liang, F., Yang, S., Zhang, Y. et al. 2019. Social housing promotes cognitive function through enhancing synaptic plasticity in APP/PS1 mice. Behavioural Brain Research 368, 111910.

Voluntary exercise reduces plasma cortisol levels and improves transitory memory impairment in young and aged Octodon degus

Sleep deprivation (SD) has been reported to induce transient cognitive impairment in functional domains commonly affected in dementia, including memory. Indeed, sleep disturbance has been proposed as an early marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). SD emulates many aging-related modifications, including...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Estrada, C., Cuenca, L., Cano-Fernandez, L. et al. 2019. Voluntary exercise reduces plasma cortisol levels and improves transitory memory impairment in young and aged Octodon degus. Behavioural Brain Research 373, 112066.

Music exposure attenuates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and increases hippocampal spine density in male rats

Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that early-life stress (ELS) may lead to the development of mental disorders in adulthood. Maternal separation (MS) is a valid animal model of ELS that produces detrimental effects on brain and behavior of experimental animals....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Papadakakis, A., Sidiropoulou, K., Panagis, G. 2019. Music exposure attenuates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and increases hippocampal spine density in male rats. Behavioural Brain Research 372, 112023.

Gentle abdominal stroking (‘belly rubbing’) of pigs by a human reduces EEG total power and increases EEG frequencies

The neurobiological response to gentle touch remains poorly understood, especially in the context of human-animal interaction. A novel approach allowed recording the pig electroencephalogram (EEG) cranially epidurally and wirelessly during positive interactions with a human. Stroking of the pig's abdomen...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Rault, J.-L., Truong, S., Hemsworth, L. et al. 2019. Gentle abdominal stroking (‘belly rubbing') of pigs by a human reduces EEG total power and increases EEG frequencies. Behavioural Brain Research 374, 111892.

Loss of control over mild aversive events produces significant helplessness in mice

This article is about the importance of giving mice control over what happens to them. Most of the pathophysiology of depression are still unknown because of its numerous disease states of distinct etiology and pathogenesis. Stressful rodent models have been...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Yao, L., Li, Y., Qian, Z. et al. 2019. Loss of control over mild aversive events produces significant helplessness in mice. Behavioural Brain Research 376, 112173.

Lower light intensity reduces larval aggression in matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus

Brycon amazonicus shows a high frequency of aggressive behavior, which can be a limiting factor in intensive farming systems. Environmental changes can modulate the social interactions of fish and reduce aggression during the different stages of production. Groups of three...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Fish, Frog & Toad, Other Fish, Shark & Ray, Zebrafish

Citation: Lopes, A. C. C., Villacorta-Correa, M. A., Carvalho, T. B. 2018. Lower light intensity reduces larval aggression in matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Behavioural Processes 151, 62-66.

Are laboratory studies on behavior of troglobitic species always trustful? A case study with an isopod from Brazil

There is a huge lack of information regarding the natural history of subterranean species, particularly focusing on aspects of the behavioral ecology of Brazilian cave fauna. In the present work, we aimed to describe and evaluate the behavioral repertoire of...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Crustacean, Invertebrate

Citation: Bueno da Silva, A. P., Oliveira, I. P. M. R., Bastos-Pereira, R. et al. 2018. Are laboratory studies on behavior of troglobitic species always trustful? A case study with an isopod from Brazil. Behavioural Processes 153, 55-65.

Sources of maladaptive behavior in ‘normal’ organisms

A basic assumption of most researchers is that behavior is generally functional, and indeed, in most instances the function is obvious. But in a number of cases, some behaviors of neurophysiologically ‘normal' organisms appear to be maladaptive. Considerable research has...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Miller, R. R., Polack, C. W. 2018. Sources of maladaptive behavior in ‘normal' organisms. Behavioural Processes 154, 4-12.

Effects of sex and early rearing condition on adult behavior, health, and well-being in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Scientific evaluation of management strategies for captive species is part of the establishment of best practices for animal welfare. Here we report the effects of sex, rearing, and a sex-by-rearing interaction on adult, captive chimpanzees' (Pan troglodytes) behavior, health, well-being,...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Clay, A. W., Bard, K. A., Bloomsmith, M. A. 2018. Effects of sex and early rearing condition on adult behavior, health, and well-being in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Behavioural Processes 156, 58-76.

A computerized testing system for primates: Cognition, welfare, and the Rumbaughx

Innovations in apparatus technology come about for a variety of reasons such as the need to use the same methodology with various species, the opportunity to present dynamic and carefully controlled stimuli, the goal of using automation to make data...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Perdue, B. M., Beran, M. J., Washburn, D. A. 2018. A computerized testing system for primates: Cognition, welfare, and the Rumbaughx. Behavioural Processes 156, 37-50.