Neuroethological validation of an experimental apparatus to evaluate oriented and non-oriented escape behaviours: Comparison between the polygonal arena with a burrow and the circular enclosure of an open-field test

Author(s)

Biagioni, Audrey Francisco ; dos Anjos-Garcia, Tayllon ; Ullah, Farhad ; Fisher, Isaac Rene ; Falconi-Sobrinho, Luiz Luciano ; de Freitas, Renato Leonardo ; Felippotti, Tatiana Tocchini ; Coimbra, Norberto Cysne

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Behavioural Brain Research; v. 298, p. 13-pg., 2016-02-01.

Abstract

Inhibition of GABAergic neural inputs to dorsal columns of the periaqueductal grey matter (dPAG), posterior (PH) and dorsomedial (DMH) hypothalamic nuclei elicits distinct types of escape behavioural reactions. To differentiate between the variety and intensity of panic-related behaviours, the pattern of defensive behaviours evoked by blockade of GABAA receptors in the DMH, PH and dPAG were compared in a circular open-field test and in a recently designed polygonal arena. In the circular open-field, the defensive behaviours induced by microinjection of bicuculline into DMH and PH were characterised by defensive alertness behaviour and vertical jumps preceded by rearing exploratory behaviour. On the other hand, explosive escape responses interspersed with horizontal jumps and freezing were observed after the blockade of GABAA receptors on dPAG neurons. In the polygonal arena apparatus, the escape response produced by GABAergic inhibition of DMH and PH neurons was directed towards the burrow. In contrast, the blockade of GABAA receptors in dPAG evoked non-oriented escape behaviour characterised by vigorous running and horizontal jumps in the arena. Our findings support the hypothesis that the hypothalamic nuclei organise oriented escape behavioural responses whereas non-oriented escape is elaborated by dPAG neurons. Additionally, the polygonal arena with a burrow made it easy to discriminate and characterise these two different patterns of escape behavioural responses. In this sense, the polygonal arena with a burrow can be considered a good methodological tool to discriminate between these two different patterns of escape behavioural responses and is very useful as a new experimental animal model of panic attacks. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/10742-7 - Paresthesia as a new approach of study for panic disorder: basic and clinical research
• Grantee: Audrey Franceschi Biagioni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/03798-0 - Involvement of opioid and endocanabinoid receptors of the substantia nigra on the activity of Nigro-Tectal GABAergic pathways during defensive behaviour elicited by rodents confronted with venomous snakes
• Grantee: Norberto Cysne Coimbra
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/10984-8 - Influence of the anterior cingulate cortex and involvement of hypothalamic NMDA and AMPA/kainite glutamatergic receptorsin the organization of the defensive behaviorand innate fear-induced antinociception elaborated by posterior hypothalamus
• Grantee: Luiz Luciano Falconi Sobrinho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 09/17258-5 - Study of the involvement of nitrergic system and of glutamatergic and cannabinoid-mediated neurotransmission from the medial prefrontal cortex in the analgesia induced by elaborated escape reactions evoked by GABAergic blockade in the medial hypothalamus
• Grantee: Renato Leonardo de Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 08/08955-1 - Involvement of the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Neural Networks and Serotonergic Neurotransmittion in the Locus Coeruleus in Antinociceptive Processess Induced by Oriented Escape Reaction Evoked by Chemical Stimulation of the Medial Hypothalamus.
• Grantee: Audrey Franceschi Biagioni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 11/06036-1 - Role of opioid and GABAergic systems in the elaboration of the escape behaviour and fear-induced antinociception in the the medial hypothalamus and in the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter?
• Grantee: Isaac Rene Fischer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 11/05821-7 - Neural and endocrine alterations in experimental sepsis surviving animals submitted to behavioral tests
• Grantee: Tatiana Tocchini Felippotti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 07/01174-1 - Study of the Involvement of opioid-, serotonergic- and noradrenergic-mechanisms of the pain endogenous inhibitory system in antinociceptive processes induced by oriented escape reactions evoked by chemical stimulation of the merdial hypothalamus
• Grantee: Norberto Cysne Coimbra
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants