STUDY OF BEHAVIORAL AND NEUROIMMUNE CONSEQUENCES IN MICE AFTER EXPOSURE TO THE LIMITED NESTING MODEL IN ASSOCIATION WITH A HIGH-FAT DIET: IMPLICATIONS FOR PANIC DISORDER

• Grant number: 25/08209-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Hélio Zangrossi Júnior
• Grantee: Beatriz Cassimiro Cabral
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/13464-7 - Resilience and vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders induced by stress during neurodevelopment: the role of neuroinflammation, AP.TEM

Abstract

Panic disorder (PD) is a chronic, disabling condition characterized by the recurrence of unexpected panic attacks, the pathophysiology of which has not yet been fully elucidated. Studies show the importance of the early stages of neurodevelopment and the events that occur during these stages in increasing the susceptibility to mental disorders throughout life, including PD. Recently, a model of postnatal stress has been proposed that causes persistent changes in the quality of maternal care through the use of cages with limited material for nest construction, called "limited bedding and nesting" (LBN). Experiencing this environment results in lasting changes in the behavior of the offspring, showing phenotypes of anxiety, depression and panic in several studies. It is known that a lack of resources is related to an increase in food insecurity, characterized by a lack of regular access to quality food in sufficient quantities for a balanced diet, such as the addition of fat. In this project, the aim is to further investigate susceptibility factors for PD. To this end, we will use the LBN protocol associated with a context of food insecurity, generated by the addition of fat in the maternal diet ("high-fat") during the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation periods, developing a model of "simulated poverty", reproducing two of the main adversities of individuals in conditions of low socioeconomic capacity: maternal neglect and a situation of food insecurity. As soon as the LBN protocol (DPN10) is completed, the mothers will be tested in the elevated plus maze, open field and light-dark maze, to assess anxiety-related behaviors and panic behaviors when exposed to CO2. In blood and brain samples from both mothers and offspring, we will evaluate the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, feces samples will be collected to verify the impact of these stressors on the microbiota of the mothers and their offspring. (AU)